What is Buddhism ?

[madurax86]

Doesnt the state of Arahath means that they are enlightened ?

Theres this thing about a sowan should wait 7 lives to attain it. Arahath is the highest level but they too have to wait till death to attain it i think...

So what's missing here is the understanding that food is only for sustenance and that one must not develop a liking ("Asha") for it.
When there's no liking for it and that you have the understanding that the food is consumed only to keep your body alive and healthy, what you eat is no longer a problem.
Is that right ?

Bravo!(no women dont wear those too )

BTW, lets not divert too much in to what monks today do or dont.

ya thats better

 

[madurax86]

this is the hard part..i would love to express my self in sinhala..cos i learned Buddhism in sinhala...Its very hard to me.to express what i know in English.& dont wanna spoil the thread..But i d be keep ma eye on the topic... thanks

that occurred to me too buddhism is hard to explain in english in sinhala to a sinhalese its far more easier may be its because of the culture..and because sinhala has inheritance of paali

 

[kosandpol]

The literal meaning is
No Attachment.
If you can be fully aware of yourself
and equanimous,
you are not attached.
But it is not permanent.
As long as one has Klesha inside
one can't experience Nirvana in its real form.
​

So after reaching enlightenment, one has to maintain that state of mind until the body dies. After that death, he has reached Nirvana.
Is that correct ?

Abhidhamma.
The higher principles of nature.
​

Ah, yes. Thanks for that.
So isnt Abhidhamma the true Buddhism ? and not the Suththra Pitakaya ?

According to my knowledge and practice
4 Noble truths,
Patichcha Samuppada
and
Sathipatthana Sutta
are the core.
The rest is not necessary for an actual seeker.
​

I see.
Can anyone explain these ?
What are the 4 noble truths ?
What is explained in Patichcha Samuppada ?
and what is explained in Sathipatthana Sutta ?

 

[kosandpol]

that occurred to me too buddhism is hard to explain in english in sinhala to a sinhalese its far more easier may be its because of the culture..and because sinhala has inheritance of paali

its ok to switch to Sinhala. I only asked to use English if possible.

 

[kosandpol]

Theres this thing about a sowan should wait 7 lives to attain it. Arahath is the highest level but they too have to wait till death to attain it i think...

AFAIK, those that have reached enlightenment has their mind at this level while they are still alive.
At their death, they reach Nirvana as they will not be reborn ever again.

Also sowan should wait 7 years seems to be hearsay. Doesnt sit well with the theory of Buddhism does it ?

 

[madurax86]

AFAIK, those that have reached enlightenment has their mind at this level while they are still alive.
At their death, they reach Nirvana as they will not be reborn ever again.

Also sowan should wait 7 years seems to be hearsay. Doesnt sit well with the theory of Buddhism does it ?

we havent gone there, and havent seen a person who went there so it remains a mystery best thing to do is to try it out and get the best of it

 

[kosandpol]

we havent gone there, and havent seen a person who went there so it remains a mystery best thing to do is to try it out and get the best of it

but how does that explain the Arahaths at Buddha's time ?
Seven life times before Budhha came to be, who taught these Arahath to reach the state of Sowahan ?

 

[madurax86]

but how does that explain the Arahaths at Buddha's time ?
Seven life times before Budhha came to be, who taught these Arahath to reach the state of Sowahan ?

good question! I;ve only heard that sowans have the 7 life limit ..
one can go directly to arahath in one lifetime...if he/she is intelligent

 

[kosandpol]

good question! I;ve only heard that sowans have the 7 life limit ..
one can go directly to arahath in one lifetime...if he/she is intelligent

Which is why I said it sounds like hearsay.
For example, If memory serves, Ven. Sariyuth reached only the state of Sowahan when he became ordained but within the same life time, he reached Arahath through meditation.

 

[akolla]

Simplify the questions... I'm not sure If I know how to simplify the questions even further..
Can you give it a try ?
My questions were :
What exactly is Buddhism ?
What is considered to be the true Buddhism ?
Is it segregated according to sex ? if so, how and what ?
Is it segregated according to state of the person (ordained / not ordained) ? if so, how ?

what i was refering to was the last three questions.........
but when i come back to this thread i saw madura and athula have lively joined in and you have wisely called some questions from their own statements, so that now it has developed good for some extent...........

when i read through i found some unclear facts, but for now am not in a mood to jot them down.......... i'll raise them later if i still found them to be doubtful so i can clear them up for my own awareness.

 

[kosandpol]

when i read through i found some unclear facts, but for now am not in a mood to jot them down.......... i'll raise them later if i still found them to be doubtful so i can clear them up for my own awareness.

Raise the questions anyway. They may help others or me.

 

[chintha4u]

Which is why I said it sounds like hearsay.
For example, If memory serves, Ven. Sariyuth reached only the state of Sowahan when he became ordained but within the same life time, he reached Arahath through meditation.

AS to my knowledge seven lifes are maximum, that sowan person stays in SASARA. Within seven lifes he ends it.

 

[AtulaSiriwardane]

so it comes to, Existence is suffering. Then does killing ones self end the suffering ? under the pretext that, if you're dead, you wont exist ?

It creates more suffering,
because the quality
of the last thought
Chuthi Chittha
is Dwesha - Aversion
you will start a life full of suffering,
somewhere else.
​

So happiness is always relative to the surrounding environment ?
Then the same can be said to unhappiness isnt it ?

YES
Amisa happiness is relative.
The Sukha,
one experiences of eradication of Klesha -defilements
is Niramisa.

Helping a suffering -Karuna-
Sharing someone's achievement, joy -Muditha
is also Niramisa joy.
It does not depend on the other.
Any questions.?
It is very subtle.
​

Is this what Upeksha teaches ? that the state you're in is always relative and its not finite ?

Upeksha is
maintaining balence in mind
keeping it pure
against our sensations
-pleasent, unpleasent or neutral-
.
Without Upeksha
one can't increase awareness.


​

Can you explain this ?
Moha means not knowing right ? but Upeksha means knowing. So How can one be in both states at the same time ?

Moha is putting off senses
with an external or internal object.
Ignorance is exact word for it
because one just ignores
what is in one's capacity to be aware.
It is the state you are in now.

Test yourself now.
Focus on this star
*
and see how many things you can see and recognize
without turning your head.
When you sit in a vehicle you notice
that world moving away.
Have you noticed same when you walk.
Fix your gaze on the ground
-Viya dandak Durin-
and move forth.
You will experience that you are moving forth
and other things move back.
This is truth.
earlier you only knew that you are moving forth.
Most important thing is
your Mind will be at ease
and you will be fully aware.

Another test.
Close your eyes and listen.
How many sounds can you here
which you missed earlier.

Practice with all the senses.

In this state of awareness
being open to all the senses.
You are detached.

But one has to strive
to be in this state of Awareness.
so,
Athapi Sampajaano satima viharathi.


​

Also this level of understanding is not enough daily life ? how ? why ?

It is not enough
because you are not practicing..
This is needed to make you trust Buddha,
otherwise this is useless.

It is not needed at all
if you have Shraddha to follow Buddha
and someone who is on the path to guide.
​

His teaching has the quality of Akalika.
It is instant.
-but Akalika means timeless isnt it ? not instant.

Some define like that
because they don't have the experience.
If I tell you
'Fire burns'
it is a truth which is timeless - eternal is the right word.

if you stop at there
preserving it as knowledge.
If you test it
'fire burns'
instantly.
in NO time.
A+Kalika.

The moment one starts
walking on the path of dhamma
experientially
suffering starts decreasing
in NO time..
Akalika.
​

But can one develop only Seela and Samadhi without Pragna ?

If one walks on Buddha's path

all 3 develops simultaneosely.
Lincoln may not have heard of Buddha,
but he walked on the path.
If one is aware with Upeksha,
if one try to be aware of everything
he develops all these 3
and he is already on the path.

I think you too are
on the path
or very close to the path.
​

The questions you ask
are of a seeker... not of a believer.


​

These are the 3 type of Buddhas. To attain Nirvana, one doesnt have to be a Buddha right ?

One has tobe one of the 3 Buddhas.
​

By reaching the state of Arahath, you will attained Nirvana at your death wont you ?

One attains Nirvana
at the enlightenment,
and lives in the state
of
Sampajano Sati.
In Sampajano sati he is aware of everything he perceives effortlessly
because no sankhara to mislead him.

All the Sankharas eradicated
no new sankharas will be formed.
No attachment left.
(Visankhara gatan chittan Thanhanan khaya majjaga....)
But as long as body lasts he will live
in the state of Nirvana.

At the death
he attains Parinirvana.
Nirvana is complete.
​

 

[kosandpol]

AS to my knowledge seven lifes are maximum, that sowan person stays in SASARA. Within seven lifes he ends it.

that sounds more probable.
But there is no hard and fast rule about this is there ?

 

[AtulaSiriwardane]

Raise the questions anyway. They may help others or me.

Yes,
they can help me too.
Trying to answer
I learn a lot,
making new connections
and realizations.

​

 

[kosandpol]

It creates more suffering,
because the quality
of the last thought
Chuthi Chittha
is Dwesha - Aversion
you will start a life full of suffering,
somewhere else.
​

Which means that suffering is the cycle of rebirth. And breaking this cycle is the goal of Buddhism. The cycle is broken when you reached Nirvana.

YES
Amisa happiness is relative.
The Sukha,
one experiences of eradication of Klesha -defilements
is Niramisa.

Helping a suffering -Karuna-
Sharing someone's achievement, joy -Muditha
is also Niramisa joy.
It does not depend on the other.
Any questions.?
It is very subtle.
​

actually yes. Where does intent "Chethana" fit in to this ?

Upeksha is
maintaining balence in mind
keeping it pure
against our sensations
-pleasent, unpleasent or neutral-
.
Without Upeksha
one can't increase awareness.
​

I see.
Does anyone refute this explanation ? or offer a different one ?

Moha is putting off senses
with an external or internal object.
Ignorance is exact word for it
because one just ignores
what is in one's capacity to be aware.
It is the state you are in now.

Test yourself now.
Focus on this star
*
and see how many things you can see and recognize
without turning your head.
When you sit in a vehicle you notice
that world moving away.
Have you noticed same when you walk.
Fix your gaze on the ground
-Viya dandak Durin-
and move forth.
You will experience that you are moving forth
and other things move back.
This is truth.
earlier you only knew that you are moving forth.
Most important thing is
your Mind will be at ease
and you will be fully aware.

Another test.
Close your eyes and listen.
How many sounds can you here
which you missed earlier.

Practice with all the senses.

In this state of awareness
being open to all the senses.
You are detached.

But one has to strive
to be in this state of Awareness.
so,
Athapi Sampajaano satima viharathi.


​

So Moha is ignorance or lack of awareness of the mind ?

It is not enough
because you are not practicing..
This is needed to make you trust Buddha,
otherwise this is useless.

but doesnt this fall in to faith ?

It is not needed at all
if you have Shraddha to follow Buddha
and someone who is on the path to guide.

Without pragna, how does one know what is seela , kusal or akusal ?

One has tobe one of the 3 Buddhas.
​

Um.. Arahathths are not Buddhas are they ? even though they have reached enlightenment.

One attains Nirvana
at the enlightenment,
and lives in the state
of
Sampajano Sati.
In Sampajano sati he is aware of everything he perceives effortlessly
because no sankhara to mislead him.

All the Sankharas eradicated
no new sankharas will be formed.
No attachment left.
(Visankhara gatan chittan Thanhanan khaya majjaga....)
But as long as body lasts he will live
in the state of Nirvana.

At the death
he attains Parinirvana.
Nirvana is complete.
​

Thanks. That clears that part up.

 

[AtulaSiriwardane]

AS to my knowledge seven lifes are maximum, that sowan person stays in SASARA. Within seven lifes he ends it.

Yes
maximum.
I understand it like this.
Imagine a tank of water with a small hole at the side of the base
with water shooting out.
It is ones Bhava -line of sansara
according to the klesha he has accumulated in his tank.
If one commits good, bad or neutral karma adding more water,
it grows longer.
Lives will be happy, unhappy or neutral
according to the Karmas.
With Vipassana one makes water evaporated
thus making bava -life line (Sansara) shorter.
if any one is interested
I would elaborate.
​

 

[kosandpol]

With Vipassana one makes water evaporated
thus making bava -life line (Sansara) shorter.
if any one is interested
I would elaborate.
​

no need to ask. Do elaborate.

 

[AtulaSiriwardane]

that sounds more probable.
But there is no hard and fast rule about this is there ?

Limits are there..
but like points on an elastic.
depends on the person but same rules
Distances can be diffrent
but between Sovan and next maximum 7 lives
​

 

[AtulaSiriwardane]

Which means that suffering is the cycle of rebirth. And breaking this cycle is the goal of Buddhism. The cycle is broken when you reached Nirvana.


actually yes. Where does intent "Chethana" fit in to this ?

If chetana is involved Karma is there.
If mind is pure, no karma.

​

I see.
Does anyone refute this explanation ? or offer a different one ?


So Moha is ignorance or lack of awareness of the mind ?

Yes
​

but doesnt this fall in to faith ?

Since Buddhas teaching is practical,
no need to believe.
Leave what you don't believe and test what you can.
One should believe like a scientist believe in a theory,
to experiment on it.
Edison believed in light bulb.
If he didn't find it
only a belief.
​

/quote] Without pragna, how does one know what is seela , kusal or akusal ?[/quote]

Again and again I come to realize that
it is much easier
if we take these words as names of a range.
Pragna does not start when he come across with Buddha.
It develops with every experince we are aware of.
Lesser the defilements more pragna happens.
One who is burnt knows what fire is
and he develop enough pragna to handle fire.
Or not to hit the third rail.

Only this type of people can come in tune with Buddha's Dhamma.
People who learns from mistakes,
at the experiential level.
Some teach knowledge as Pragna.
No
what we heard or read is
Sutamaya gnana..
It is only recorded.

What you process in your mind is
Cinthamaya gnana.

What you know by experience
is bhawanamaya gnana,
is pragna.




​

Um.. Arahathths are not Buddhas are they ? even though they have reached enlightenment.

All the 3 ars Buddhas, Arhats.
They differ by the way they come in contact with Vipassana
and how do they live life after enlightenment.

Samma Sambuddhas have to accumulate more paramis.
and they serve a lot more compared to Shrawaka Buddhas.
Shravaka Buddhas always can't help even if the student is ready.
But A Samma sambuddha can.
Shariputta was second only to Buddha in pragna.
But there is an instance where he couldn't help a student
after trying for 4 months.
Buddha gave him a lotus fixed on a sand pile in the sun,
he became enlightened in half a day.
(Those 4 months must have helped.)

​

Thanks. That clears that part up.

Thank you.