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I Don't Want to Attain Nibbana.
Chiisai_Pholcidae68
Explorer
To clarify, it's not that I don't want to attain Nibbana, it's that I don't think it's necessary. I want to be the best person I can be, to rid myself of petty and damaging desires, and to generate good kamma by practicing loving-kindness. Enlightenment can be reached by doing these things, but it's fine with me if I don't make it and am reborn. Dying knowing that I have served others faithfully and lived with selflessness is enough.
I don't understand why Buddhists consider attaining Nibbana to be a priority.
I don't understand why Buddhists consider attaining Nibbana to be a priority.
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there is no attainment for there is only nirvana/samsara. nirvana being the cessation of suffering/clinging and samsara being the clinging/suffering.
when you are trying to save others/yourself from drowning you first must learn/know how to swim.
you don't attain nirvana as nirvana exists right here and now. when we rest in the bodhimind we see clearly and in doing so that is wisdom. out of such wisdom is compassion of letting go.
if you practice and are sincere in your practice then you'll realize that the practice itself was enlightenment. first the motivation was there to achieve something, but then it is learned that there was nothing to achieve but just a clouded mind that needed some cleaning.
in one moment of peace there is nirvana. in one moment of clinging there is samsara. to accept both is to live the path of a bodhisattva. neither staying in nirvana or samsara and thus accepting both the bodhisattva vows to save all beings.
reach a large goal for it is the only way you can really help beings. even if you fail at least you tried.
This is such a noble sentiment, Chiisai_Pholcidae68@ - however - with such a compassionate outlook - you are doomed (so to speak) to Nibbana. Some of us share your desire - some must have enlightenment (or at least believe deeply that it can be realized in this present lifetime) - either way - practicing or not - if the Bhodisattvas have their way - all beings shall enter enlightenment...
:bawl:
I agree with you, btw, Chiisai. It's all about kindness and compassion in this lifetime.
Did somebody tell you otherwise?
Best wishes
I find that a lot of religions work with idioms or picturesque ideals. Some people don't need the "carrot and the stick" approach.
If you "rid [yourself] of petty and damaging desires" and practice loving-kindness in an attempt to be the best person you can be, you're pretty much well on your way. There is, of course, some more to it than that.
You say that you don't mind being reborn. Buddha recognized and is very considerate of the fact that lay Buddhists still very much live within the sensual world, and are therefore subject to rebirth in the rounds of Samsara. He never expected householders to follow the Vinaya (monastic codes of conduct) and practice as renunciate monks or nuns. Instead, as a result of present kusala kamma (wholesome actions), householders can have a more "favorable rebirth" - such as in the heavenly realm of devas.
Having a better rebirth is hard work. In fact, in AN 5.43 Buddha stated, "It's not fitting for the disciple of the noble ones who desires rebirth in heaven to pray for it or to delight in doing so. Instead, the disciple of the noble ones who desires rebirth in heaven should follow the path of practice leading to rebirth in heaven. In so doing, he will attain rebirth in heaven."
I guess all I'm trying to say is just keep being the best person you can be. You can't go wrong with that! :clap:
I'll echo iron rabbit with a story I have heard. There was once a monk who prayed every day that he would go to hell so that he could help the hell beings. Each day. When he died he did not go to hell because he had been so kind and loving and unattached.
Best wishes
Also, it's not just that I don't think it's necessary, but I don't want to expect too much of myself. I'm a perfectionist and have a bad habit of holding myself to higher standards than I can ever possibly meet, and then get angry with myself for not meeting them. Having it in my mind to achieve Nibbana would probably do me more damage than good.
And, to be honest, that still carries over with me today and this is what appeals to me about the Bodhisattva in the Mahayana tradition-- the idea that (mytho-poetically speaking) one may attain nirvana, but rather than reside there, she forgoes nirvana until all other beings have reached nirvana themselves first. The Bodhisattva is a means to an end for all other beings to enter nirvana. The Bodhisattva becomes the raft to help beings to the other shore.
BUT...
by the same token, deepening one's practice and understanding of the Buddha Way is important because compassion is perfected by wisdom. It isn't that one should seek awakening FOR ONESELF but rather that one deepens their practice, but for the sake of all beings. That's what the Four Bodhisattva Vows are all about. Your practice isn't just about YOU. After all, you are not a separate being, but interdependently tied to everyone and everything around you.
It's just like the safety instructions on a plane-- when the oxygen masks come out, the first thing they tell you is put YOUR mask on first, and only THEN help the one next to you-- this is not out of selfishness, but rather hat your help may not be very effective if YOU are struggling for air yourself. In such a situation, BOTH you and the passenger could end up dead.
I think it is similar with the Buddha Way. It isn't that awakening to reality is not important-- but one's attitude toward it does matter.