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What in the world are we supposed to do?
betaboy
Veteran
As Buddhists, what are we supposed to do in the world? Wait it out ... till we become enlightened?
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I really like the way you put that question, "What are we supposed to be doing in the world?"
So what ARE we supposed to be doing? Zen would say "Wash the dishes" but like everything Zen, it means exactly what it says while pointing to a deeper truth. The truth is, Buddhism doesn't have an answer to that question, not the way it is asked. Other religions do. Oh yes, they will certainly tell you what your purpose is in life. But here, you are handed a list of guidelines in your behavior and told to figure it out for yourself. Frustrating.
We as Buddhists often succumb to the party line that we are put here to seek enlightenment, and that is our purpose. So everything we do is for that elusive, multi-lifetime goal of escaping the world. Even helping other people becomes just a tool to that selfish goal, like giving money just so you can get the tax advantage at the end of the year. The danger is that we end up spending all our effort looking for an exit instead of appreciating the time we have in this life or working to make it a better life for everyone--better not because we must have compassion on some checklist of how to be enlightenened, but because we see suffering and respond, nothing more or less.
So what are we supposed to be doing? That's the same thing as asking, what is my purpose in life? Do we as Buddhists fight for a better world for everyone, or is that trying to empty the ocean with a spoon? Do we strive for personal enlightenment so one less person is suffering, or is the selfish nature of the goal self-defeating?
In other words, do we shrug our shoulders or roll up our sleeves?
And of course, you won't get a straight answer from me, because it's not an either-or response when you work toward a clear mind. What should you be doing? What is it that needs done? Try doing that, and see what happens.
Whatever you are doing, that is your Buddha Nature. It's so simple, it's almost impossible to comprehend. Our minds insist on some big, complex secret to life.
It is also the basis upon which enlightenment is eventually built.
And Cinorjer that was beautiful
"Find out who has bound you," said the Master.
The disciple returned after a week and said, "No one has bound me."
"Then why ask to be liberated?"
That was a moment of Enlightenment for the disciple, who suddenly became free.
Delusions are endless. We vow to cut through them all.
The teachings are infinite. We vow to learn them all.
The Buddha Way is inconceivable. We vow to attain it.
Our goal? Our purpose? My teacher tells us it is to become enlightened for the sake of all sentient beings, so that we can then help them, too, be enlightened (not "become" ... "be").
Be kind, have compassion, strive for happiness?
ps I agree with lufool, the how is very important. Eckhart Tolle says some interesting things about that in the last chapters of his book A new earth.