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Enlightenment is impossible
without becoming a monk. That's the conclusion I've come to. When we are in the world, our minds cannot but think of the things of the world - study, work, pay bills, and all the rest. Only after renouncing is there no commitment - so the mind doesn't have to worry. I know people usually say, 'be in the world but not of the world.' That's like telling a soldier: stay as long as you like in the battlefield, just don't let your mind get agitated by all the bombs and missiles that fly past you.'
It just doesn't work. Buddha knew this, and that's why he encouraged asceticism. Else, he could have gone back to the palace after enlightenment, and discouraged other people to renounce as well. But he didn't. In fact, hindu tradition also maintains that once a person retires, he should go to an ashram and avoid the world.
It just doesn't work. Buddha knew this, and that's why he encouraged asceticism. Else, he could have gone back to the palace after enlightenment, and discouraged other people to renounce as well. But he didn't. In fact, hindu tradition also maintains that once a person retires, he should go to an ashram and avoid the world.
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Comments
Extrapolating your thoughts to a historical figure you never met is pretty tenuous.
Will you be ordaining as a monk shortly?
In my case, I have just finished twenty some years of child rearing and relationship. The last thing I want to do is put my nose back to the grindstone to try to achieve enlightenment. I'll be happy with the occasional realization and a deepening appreciation for the life I have.
also the last thing you want to do is strive for enlightenment.. you'll never get there if your worried about that
It's crawling with monks too. Doing monk things, alms rounds, sweeping and gardening down at the Wat. Coming and going. Personally, I would prefer the life of a Thai farmer. Looks like paradise to me.
Good article here.
The hope for the world to change in the future, or trying to escape it results in a constant struggle with dissatisfaction and all its trappings.
It is as simple as that.
At the very least, please consider what "enlightenment" might be. Is it simply what others say in one bit or scripture or another? Sure, scripture may hint, but until you personally know what you're talking about, how sensible is it to talk about it? This is not a rhetorical question; it's not something I know the answer to and you don't; it's just a literal question.
In one sense, monks and nuns carry the banner of Buddhism. They can be quite nice people. They dress Buddhist, talk Buddhist and sometimes even practice Buddhist. They are exemplars. But exemplars of WHAT? If what they exemplify were open only to a select few, how useful or true could Buddhism possibly be? Is the meaning of Buddhist temples and monasteries found in some great big wonderful institution ... a sort of Vatican in disguise?
If you want to be a monk, go ahead. If you don't want to be a monk, go ahead. Isn't the attention and responsibility invested in going-ahead the point? If some great big brass ring called "enlightenment" is the goal ... well, isn't this like shooting yourself in the foot until you know, experientially, what "enlightenment" might be?
Sure, a little imaginative belief and hope move a decent practice forward for a while. But it's the practice that counts, isn't it? Halos and holiness don't work very well: Ask any decent monk or nun.
Just thinking out loud here. No biggie.
Everyone has the innate ability to become a Buddha. Everyone.
Monastics on average certainly have a greater amount of time available to them to practice than do lay practitioners. However, who is put to the test more often? And who said that "time" is that great an issue. It is all empty. "Form is emptiness; emptiness is form." Buddhism is empty. It is ALL empty. It's also like Einstein said, "Reality is an illusion, albeit a very persistent one."
Solidifying the idea that a monastic life is the only way to enlightenment is only trying to solidify a concept which will be one more chain binding you to samsara. Don't worry so much, just be present. Have an experience of emptiness.
Words and thoughts are empty just like the rest. Experience this
People from other branches of buddhism will def disagree with us and keep saying "be in the world but not of it"...well, we all choose what we believe in, but I too say its not possible to be enlightend unless you become a monk.
The monastic life was born into this world. It surely is a good thing that was created out of compassion. But was it not also created out of attachment to the Buddha? It is a simulation of the way the Buddha and his disciples lived. But how many monks are taught by Buddhas? When the Buddha said to have "no external refuge," he didn't say, "oh except for a monastery; you'll need that."
The Buddha taught that all beings have the capacity for enlightenment, so where are the monasteries for insects?
I mean no offense, I merely would like to point out that holding to the view that only monks can be enlightened is an attachment like any other, and not at all what the Buddha taught.
Spontaneous unfoldment does occasionally occur . . . good luck with that and the lottery . . .
What changes do we need in place to allow the possibility of enlightenment?
Firstly calmness and acceptance, a troubled mind is too busy chasing its own tail or other tales . . .
Then we have to follow a path, teacher and practice that creates a steadfast grounding.
Then we have to start changing what we can to accord with the enlightened mindset.
If sincere, dedicated and diligent enlightenment may happen.
Each person reading this can do that. Monkery is not required . . . come to that even enlightenment is not required . . . just craved . . .
:wave:
For those of higher capacity (not trying to sound snobby) it is possible to live in the everyday world and still go for the goal.
In Vajrayana one works inside out. Meaning the state of enlightenment is pointed out as the base right from the start. The path is building a relationship with that state and the fruit is abiding in that state permanently.
And the fullest expression in the Vajrayana is the three bodies of the Buddha, which basically is your life in its fullest meaning and expression with all the inspiration to help, while instantaneously knowing the dharmakaya.
My teacher asserts that we live in a different and interesting time. The dharma is accessible, teachers are accessible, we have more time as modern people to practice and even take vacation time to go into solitary retreats.
As all things in Buddhism. It is all dependent upon conditions.
Thus you make what you perceive. Try your best, work with your circumstances.
Or change them.
Enlightenment is very possible for anyone willing to practice, study and for those who really understand the precious opportunity one has in this lifetime. Do not underestimate bodhicitta and the power of suffering. May we all fully immerse ourselves into practice and not waste our times.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.02.0.than.html
I'm confused. Did you think I agreed with music's post that only monks can be enlightened?
If so, that is not what I meant to convey. I was trying to say that the idea that only the religious leaders will obtain enlightenment is a little ridiculous to me. I don't believe that those in the monastic life are the only ones to escape suffering and rebirth. They have a "better chance" since they are living such a life, but they are not they only ones who can reach nirvana. Hence why I said that everyone has the chance to become a Buddha.
We interact with this world through our six senses... We developed emotions based on these senses. Look how you react to what you see, hear, smell, taste, touch, and think, and you will see what you need to be mindful of. Seeing is just seeing, Hearing is just hearing, Smelling is just smelling, Tasting is just tasting, Touching is just touching, and Thought is just thought.
How do you react when you see a rose? A corpse? Should we judge them on how we look at them (through our sight and thought)? Should we see them as being different?
You are an enlightened being... You're just to afraid to know it!
I don't see the correlation.. the Brahmins were born into the Brahmin caste.. people aren't born into Buddhist monkhood, they come and go into it as they please.
A case in point is one of the greatest of Vajrayana teachers, Marpa who was the teacher of the great MIlarepa..he was a farmer and was married with children.
With realised beings like Marpa what could have been attachments are transformed into the very means of liberation.
In the stories of 'Buddha' - Gotama explored both extremes, recognized both are futile/false/empty (along with all the forms of apparent separation these arise as), and realized the Middle Way of neither grasping nor rejecting - of not being deluded by such appearances.
Enlightenment is effortless. Maintaining delusion (by doing as well as not doing[abstaining]) requires great effort.
As many stories show, people who 'awaken' often do go on to live a more contemplative/less worldly appearing life (the rest likely pass without notice - as not all teach in formal/recognized way that others document) - but do not confuse this sort of life with asceticism or a retreat from the 'world'. These are just forms, appearances. The point is not to see how others live, or follow in their footsteps, but to see for yourself with each step you take.
'Suchness' is the formless assuming all forms. None stand apart as the way.