I think it’s a state of self-awareness where one is able to apply a critical perspective to one’s own life and actions. It happens on occasion in the natural course of human existence, I think, but I’m sure there are ways of bringing about such a state of mind intentionally. I don’t see anything particularly mystical about it.
Is it deeply profound? Is it “silly, goofy and euphoric”?
Yes
Does it just mean you know everything is made of light waves?
Yes
The Sanskrit says..
enlightenment is “bodhi,” which means “awakened.” But awakened to what?
The only true answer to the question is to realize enlightenment. Short of that, we must come up with provisional answers that, the teachers tell us, do not really do justice to enlightenment.
Is it just a pretentious way to pretend your world-view is more valid than others? Is it a code-word for the politically correct?
I think its more of a lack of pretense..
If you think you have reached ‘enlightenment’ at some point in your life, what brought you to that point?
Some days’’ never on the forum..this is where I intentionally am not enlightened..
I think it’s a state of self-awareness where one is able to apply a critical perspective to one’s own life and actions.
More like no judgement at all..
It happens on occasion in the natural course of human existence, I think, but I’m sure there are ways of bringing about such a state of mind intentionally. I don’t see anything particularly mystical about it.
The Buddha like enlightenment isn’t that common..folks have glimmers of enlightenment..
but full on Buddahood.. not all that common..
for me, it’s a journey, not a destination. (jeez, that sounds so idiotic)
yea the here and now..
when do we reach enlightenment? is it subjective, as the def for immodest is?
do you scream to the skies when you’re there?
When the Buddha kind of enlightenment happens..you’ll know..calm, love, folks get healed around you,and the healing process seldom looks like what you’d think it does…
i’m still on the road.
Yea..
Waking up to who you are requires letting go of who you imagine yourself to be.
In his book Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi said that enlightenment is “nothing special. ... You may say ‘universal nature’ or ‘Buddha nature’ or ‘enlightenment.’ You may call it by many names, but for the person who has it, it is nothing, and it is something.”
That’s just it, just what you said. Be nice, be love, don’t hurt people, don’t hurt
those who have no voice. The Buddha said also “when you meet The Buddha, kill
him for he cannot be the Buddha.” I work on my Tao Te Ching often, and then
I wander around the apartment, muttering about the one sentence that stands out
just that day, just that moment. The muttering increases.
That’s just it, just what you said. Be nice, be love, don’t hurt people, don’t hurt
those who have no voice. The Buddha said also “when you meet The Buddha, kill
him for he cannot be the Buddha.” I work on my Tao Te Ching often, and then
I wander around the apartment, muttering about the one sentence that stands out
just that day, just that moment. The muttering increases.
If You Meet The Buddha On The Road, Kill Him
Question:
I have heard the phrase “If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him!” many times. Can you explain this?
Answer:
It actually comes from an old koan attributed to Zen Master Linji, (the founder of the Rinzai sect). It’s a simple one:
“If you meet the Buddha, kill him.” — Linji
I’m sure you already realize that it’s not being literal. The road, the killing, and even the Buddha are symbolic.
The road is generally taken to mean the path to Enlightenment; that might be through meditation, study, prayer, or just some aspect of your way of life. Your life is your “road.” That’s fairly straightforward as far as metaphors go.
But how do you meet the Buddha on this “road?” Imagine meeting some symbolic Buddha. Would he be a great teacher that you might actually meet and follow in the real world? Could that Buddha be you yourself, having reached Enlightenment? Or maybe you have some idealized image of perfection that equates to your concept of the Buddha or Enlightenment.
Whatever your conception is of the Buddha, it’s WRONG! Now kill that image and keep practicing. This all has to do with the idea that reality is an impermanent illusion. If you believe that you have a correct image of what it means to be Enlightened, then you need to throw out (kill) that image and keep meditating.
Most people have heard the first chapter of the Tao, “The Tao that can be named is not the eternal Tao.”
It’s also about non attachment. The seeker is not to become attached to the Buddha, ie. worship him.
Enlightenment is not a list of things you must do to fit the concept, it is a state of being which no enlightened one has ever been able to do more than give indicators as it is impossible to describe it in words.
Good one. And one of the reasons I like that (what?) Buddhism is that you’re NOT to
worship anyone. Yes, I don’t take that literally, especially in spiritual matters. Don’t know
what you mean about my concept of Buddha, it might not be wrong? Perspective in all
things. It’s good to practice nice every day, and love every day. When I stray from my
readings, it’s not a good thing.
Good one. And one of the reasons I like that (what?) Buddhism is that you’re NOT to
worship anyone. Yes, I don’t take that literally, especially in spiritual matters. Don’t know
what you mean about my concept of Buddha, it might not be wrong? Perspective in all
things. It’s good to practice nice every day, and love every day. When I stray from my
readings, it’s not a good thing.
You may not have an object to worship in Buddhism but it’s rife with zillions of rules that are supposed to be followed. I don’t like rules. I reject most of this list and it’s but 8.
1) To undertake the training to avoid taking the life of beings. This precept applies to all living beings not just humans. All beings have a right to their lives and that right should be respected.
2) To undertake the training to avoid taking things not given. This precept goes further than mere stealing. One should avoid taking anything unless one can be sure that is intended that it is for you.
3) To undertake the training to avoid sensual misconduct. This precept is often mistranslated or misinterpreted as relating only to sexual misconduct but it covers any overindulgence in any sensual pleasure such as gluttony as well as misconduct of a sexual nature.
4) To undertake the training to refrain from false speech. As well as avoiding lying and deceiving, this precept covers slander as well as speech which is not beneficial to the welfare of others.
5) To undertake the training to abstain from substances which cause intoxication and heedlessness. This precept is in a special category as it does not infer any intrinsic evil in, say, alcohol itself but indulgence in such a substance could be the cause of breaking the other four precepts.
These are the basic precepts expected as a day to day training of any lay Buddhist. On special holy days, many Buddhists, especially those following the Theravada tradition, would observe three additional precepts with a strengthening of the third precept to be observing strict celibacy. The additional precepts are:
6) To abstain from taking food at inappropriate times. This would mean following the tradition of Theravadin monks and not eating from noon one day until sunrise the next.
7) To abstain from dancing, singing, music and entertainments as well as refraining from the use of perfumes, ornaments and other items used to adorn or beautify the person. Again, this and the next rule.
8) To undertake the training to abstain from using high or luxurious beds are rules regularly adopted by members of the Sangha and are followed by the layperson on special occasions.
I’ve always thought that rules don’t apply, just suggestions, like speed limit signs.
The signs do not say “Kate, drive 55 mph.” They’re obviously for someone else.
So, we can pick and choose from those we agree with. (prep at the end of a sentence,
darn.)
Since I might live through this Black Death that has plagued me (sorry) for a week, I’m here
and glad to be back as part of the thinking, whining world.
Have a book on the laughing Buddha, I’ll have to check what he’s really laughing about.
Finished the Silva book, picked up another one, and it’s got the requisite woman scientist who’s
desperate for a cure for her sister’s malady; in comes an equally over-the-top intelligent
nice mercenary, with some hieroglyphics about a total cure from an Egyptian physician (woman). I know
they’re going to fight the attraction to each other, they’ll finally give in, and kiss a lot.
Have to get another slew of books; this one’s not going to cut it.
Whenever I eat at Asiana I think about snatching him up and running. He would look so cool in our garden next to St Francis.
In short, The Laughing Buddha
The celestial Buddha named Hotei or Pu-Tai is best known as the jolly Laughing Buddha. In China, he is known as the Loving or Friendly One. He is based on an eccentric Chinese Ch’an (Zen) monk who lived over 1,000 years ago and has become a significant part of Buddhist and Shinto culture. Because of this monk’s benevolent nature, he came to be regarded as an incarnation of the bodhisattva who will be Maitreya (the Future Buddha). His large protruding stomach and jolly smile have given him the common designation “Laughing Buddha.”
The Laughing Buddha’s image graces many temples, restaurants, and amulets, as he has become a deity of contentment and abundance. The image of Hotei is almost always seen carrying a cloth or linen sack (that which never empties) which is filled with many precious items, including rice plants (indicating wealth), candy for children, food, or the woes of the world. He is patron of the weak, poor and children.
Laughing Buddha Wooden Sculpture
Laughing Buddha statues depict a stout, smiling or laughing bald man in robes with a largely exposed pot belly stomach, which symbolizes happiness, good luck, and plenitude. Some sculpture has small children at his feet. Another item that is usually seen with the Laughing Buddha figure is a begging bowl to represent his Buddhist nature.
In some scenes the Laughing Buddha may be found sitting on a cart drawn by boys, or wielding a fan called an oogi (said to be a “wish giving” fan—in the distant past, this type of fan was used by the aristocracy to indicate to vassals that their requests would be granted). All of these images display Hotei as a wandering monk who goes around and takes the sadness from people of this world.
According to legend, if one rubs the Laughing Buddha’s great belly, it brings forth wealth, good luck, and prosperity. Hotei is also referred to as the patron saint of restaurateurs, fortunetellers and bartenders. When one overeats or over drinks, friends jokingly attribute it to the Laughing Buddha’s influence.
Whenever I eat at Asiana I think about snatching him up and running. He would look so cool in our garden next to St Francis.
[img]http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Laughing-Buddha-Statue-buddhism-
I just want to find a Chinese restaurant that doesn’t have banana pudding on the “menu.”
