Buddhism: Can You Truly Achieve Awakening? What The Mind Can Do?
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- Опубликовано: 9 июн 2024
- Buddhism: Can You Truly Achieve Awakening? What The Mind Can Do?
#Awakening #Buddhism #Mind
A brahman once asked the Buddha, "Will all the world reach release [Awakening], or half the world, or a third?" But the Buddha didn't answer. Ven. Ananda, concerned that the brahman might misconstrue the Buddha's silence, took the man aside and gave him an analogy: Imagine a fortress with a single gate. A wise gatekeeper would walk around the fortress and not see an opening in the wall big enough for even a cat to slip through. Because he's wise, he would realize that his knowledge didn't tell him how many people would come into the fortress, but it did tell him that whoever came into the fortress would have to come in through the gate. In the same way, the Buddha didn't focus on how many people would reach Awakening but he did know that anyone who reached Awakening would have to follow the path he had found: abandoning the five hindrances, establishing the four frames of reference, and developing the seven factors for Awakening.
What's striking about the Buddha's knowledge is the implied "if": If people want to gain Awakening they will have to follow this path, but the choice as to whether they want Awakening is theirs. The Buddha's knowledge of the future didn't mean that the future was preordained, for people are free to choose. They can take up a particular course of action and stick with it, or not, as they see fit.
The Buddha thus based all his teaching on freedom of choice. As he said, if everything were predetermined by the past, there would be no point in teaching a path to Awakening. The number of people who would reach Awakening would already have been set a long time ago, and they would have no need for a path or a teacher. Those preordained to awaken would get there inevitably as a result of a long-past action or an essential nature already built into the mind. Those preordained not to awaken wouldn't stand a chance.
But these things are not preordained. No one is doomed never to awaken, but - until you've had your first sight of the deathless at stream-entry - neither is Awakening assured. It's contingent on intentional actions chosen in each present moment. And even after stream-entry, you're constantly faced with choices that will speed up final Awakening or slow it down. Nibbana, of course, is independent and unconditioned; but the act of awakening to nibbana depends on a path of practice that has to be willed. It happens only if you choose to give rise to its causes. This, as the Buddha noted, involves determining to do four things: not to neglect discernment, to preserve truth, to develop relinquishment, and to train for peace.
I found the part about the mind not being 'good or bad' but the driver of our actions really touching. It makes you think deeply about how our choices shape our journey to finding true peace and awakening
A segment from 'Saved by the Light of the Buddha Within'...
My new understandings of what many call 'God -The Holy Spirit' - resulting from some of the extraordinary ongoing after-effects relating to my NDE...
Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what some scientists are now referring to as the unified field of consciousnesses. In other words, it’s the essence of all existence and non-existence - the ultimate creative force behind planets, stars, nebulae, people, animals, trees, fish, birds, and all phenomena, manifest or latent. All matter and intelligence are simply waves or ripples manifesting to and from this core source. Consciousness (enlightenment) is itself the actual creator of everything that exists now, ever existed in the past, or will exist in the future - right down to the minutest particles of dust - each being an individual ripple or wave.
The big difference between chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and most other conventional prayers is that instead of depending on a ‘middleman’ to connect us to our state of inner enlightenment, we’re able to do it ourselves. That’s because chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo allows us to tap directly into our enlightened state by way of this self-produced sound vibration. ‘Who or What Is God?’ If we compare the concept of God being a separate entity that is forever watching down on us, to the teachings of Nichiren, it makes more sense to me that the true omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of what most people perceive to be God, is the fantastic state of enlightenment that exists within each of us. Some say that God is an entity that’s beyond physical matter - I think that the vast amount of information continuously being conveyed via electromagnetic waves in today’s world gives us proof of how an invisible state of God could indeed exist.
For example, it’s now widely known that specific data relayed by way of electromagnetic waves has the potential to help bring about extraordinary and powerful effects - including an instant global awareness of something or a mass emotional reaction. It’s also common knowledge that these invisible waves can easily be used to detonate a bomb or to enable NASA to control the movements of a robot as far away as the Moon or Mars - none of which is possible without a receiver to decode the information that’s being transmitted. Without the receiver, the data would remain impotent. In a very similar way, we need to have our own ‘receiver’ switched on so that we can activate a clear and precise understanding of our own life, all other life and what everything else in existence is.
Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day helps us to achieve this because it allows us to reach the core of our enlightenment and keep it switched on. That’s because Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what scientists now refer to as the unified field of consciousnesses. To break it down - Myoho represents the Law of manifestation and latency (Nature) and consists of two alternating states. For example, the state of Myo is where everything in life that’s not obvious to us exists - including our stored memories when we’re not thinking about them - our hidden potential and inner emotions whenever they’re dormant - our desires, our fears, our wisdom, happiness, karma - and more importantly, our enlightenment.
The other state, ho, is where everything in Life exists whenever it becomes evident to us, such as when a thought pops up from within our memory - whenever we experience or express our emotions - or whenever a good or bad cause manifests as an effect from our karma. When anything becomes apparent, it merely means that it’s come out of the state of Myo (dormancy/latency) and into a state of ho (manifestation). It’s the difference between consciousness and unconsciousness, being awake or asleep, or knowing and not knowing.
The second law - Renge - Ren meaning cause and ge meaning effect, governs and controls the functions of Myoho - these two laws of Myoho and Renge, not only function together simultaneously but also underlies all spiritual and physical existence.
The final and third part of the tri-combination - Kyo, is the Law that allows Myoho to integrate with Renge - or vice versa. It’s the great, invisible thread of energy that fuses and connects all Life and matter - as well as the past, present and future. It’s also sometimes termed the Universal Law of Communication - perhaps it could even be compared with the string theory that many scientists now suspect exists.
Just as the cells in our body, our thoughts, feelings and everything else is continually fluctuating within us - all that exists in the world around us and beyond is also in a constant state of flux - constantly controlled by these three fundamental laws. In fact, more things are going back and forth between the two states of Myo and ho in a single moment than it would ever be possible to calculate or describe. And it doesn’t matter how big or small, famous or trivial anything or anyone may appear to be, everything that’s ever existed in the past, exists now or will exist in the future, exists only because of the workings of the Laws ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ - the basis of the four fundamental forces, and if they didn’t function, neither we nor anything else could go on existing. That’s because all forms of existence, including the seasons, day, night, birth, death and so on, are moving forward in an ongoing flow of continuation - rhythmically reverting back and forth between the two fundamental states of Myo and ho in absolute accordance with Renge - and by way of Kyo. Even stars are dying and being reborn under the workings of what the combination ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ represents. Nam, or Namu - which mean the same thing, are vibrational passwords or keys that allow us to reach deep into our life and fuse with or become one with ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’.
On a more personal level, nothing ever happens by chance or coincidence, it’s the causes that we’ve made in our past, or are presently making, that determine how these laws function uniquely in each of our lives - as well as the environment from moment to moment. By facing east, in harmony with the direction that the Earth is spinning, and chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo for a minimum of, let’s say, ten minutes daily to start with, any of us can experience actual proof of its positive effects in our lives - even if it only makes us feel good on the inside, there will be a definite positive effect. That’s because we’re able to pierce through the thickest layers of our karma and activate our inherent Buddha Nature (our enlightened state). By so doing, we’re then able to bring forth the wisdom and good fortune that we need to challenge, overcome and change our adverse circumstances - turn them into positive ones - or manifest and gain even greater fulfilment in our daily lives from our accumulated good karma. This also allows us to bring forth the wisdom that can free us from the ignorance and stupidity that’s preventing us from accepting and being proud of the person that we indeed are - regardless of our race, colour, gender or sexuality. We’re also able to see and understand our circumstances and the environment far more clearly, as well as attract and connect with any needed external beneficial forces and situations. As I’ve already mentioned, everything is subject to the law of Cause and Effect - the ‘actual-proof-strength’ resulting from chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo always depends on our determination, sincerity and dedication.
For example, the levels of difference could be compared to making a sound on a piano, creating a melody, producing a great song, and so on. Something else that’s very important to always respect and acknowledge is that the Law (or if you prefer God) is in everyone and everything.
NB: There are frightening and disturbing sounds, and there are tranquil and relaxing sounds. It’s the emotional result of any noise or sound that can trigger off a mood or even instantly change one. When chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day, we are producing a sound vibration that’s the password to our true inner-self - this soon becomes apparent when you start reassessing your views on various things - such as your fears and desires etc. The best way to get the desired result when chanting is not to view things conventionally - rather than reaching out to an external source, we need to reach into our own lives and bring our needs and desires to fruition from within - including the good fortune and strength to achieve any help that we may need. Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo also reaches out externally and draws us towards, or draws towards us, what we need to make us happy from our environment. For example, it helps us to be in the right place at the right time - to make better choices and decisions and so forth. We need to think of it as a seed within us that we’re watering and bringing sunshine to for it to grow, blossom and bring forth fruit or flowers. It’s also important to understand that everything we need in life, including the answer to every question and the potential to achieve every dream, already exists within us.
Wow and wow again, everytime i watched your video, it is amazing of how you use the approriate translation for most of Pali terms and suttas
I am guessing words for skillfull and unskill is kusala and akusala? Most translated them into wholesome/good and unwholesome/bad. But recently, i just heard from one bhikkhu they could be translated as skillfull/unskillfull. Sadhu3x
And i notice u use approriate attention, is that (yoniso) manosikara? What about discernment etc?
I wish u would like to include some Pali terms to highlight, and maybe to easily anchor for us, or for reference search in tipitaka
I rejoice in listening your contents, cause it keep increasing faith in Buddha's teaching. Thanks
Sadhu ❤️
Do vipassana meditation and continue practice you will be definitely get liberation. 100 percent
It moves the mind away from the body and emotions, and supports to practice Samadhi/concentration to be free.
The question would be what is space the mind is space when one goes beyond beyond is not.....
What kind of sutra is this Infinite Life Sutra?
It is the only Sutra spoken simultaneously by all Buddhas in the Ten Directions.
It is the only Sutra that help sentient beings to attain Buddhahood in one lifetime.
It is the only Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha spoke more than once.
Among all the sutras spoken by Shakyamuni Buddha this is the only perfect Sutra.
It is the only Sutra that is easy to understand and easy to practice.
It is the most convenient and most effective Sutra.
It is the only Sutra praise by all Buddhas in the Ten Directions, the only Sutra expounded by all Buddhas and the only Sutra propagate by all Buddhas.
It's the Sutra that help sentient beings to completely understand the essence of Amitabha Buddha.
It's the number one Sutra.
It's Buddha's perfect wisdom, and perfect Sutra.
Amituofo 🙏🙏🙏
Three characteristics of world are Anicca, Dukka, Anatta means undesirable, Suffering, meaningless
May i know how do u come into conclusion that Anicca is translated as undesirable; Anatta as meaningless?
@@simsonmails, An+Ichcha is literally Un+desire or Un+like. It leads to equanimity. An+Artha is Un+meaning.
@@smlanka4u hmm, i dont know where you get the references from. Language creates reality. Be aware for what the meaning will give impact
What common translation for Anicca is impermanence, while Anatta is non-self (it doesnt mean no self, totally different implication cmiiw)
While the result of Anicca could be undesireable, it is only because of the main characteristic of Anicca is keep changing, arising and ceasing (for the materiality and mentality)
Anatta itself is not meaningless, it states that the things we think are the self, are not.
The approriate way to look at this 3 world charactistics is upekkha/equanimity point of view, i guess, not cling to and not rejecting it.
Through penetrating the truth, hopefully one day, we could see, understanding, proving and accepting the keep changing nature of 5 aggregates and let go the concept of self as a single permanent / eternal entity (not meaningless)
@@simsonmails, Aniyatha means not permanent and impermanent. Anicca is like unlovable and not existing. Self means one.
Suffering and pleasure doesn't depend on permanence or impermanence of things.
As a example impermanence of illnesses will lead to pleasure. And also permanence of death will lead to suffering.
There is a self or there is a non self are two ends like there is a me and there is no me. Both ends belong to misunderstanding of nature. Things arisen according to "paticca samuppadaya"
"Paticca samuppada" is Paticca means "clinging desirably" and samuppada means "arisen accordingly".
If we give the meaning non self to the word Anatta, it is against the "patiica samuppadaya".
If something is suffering, it is not worth to take it in a perspective as me or mine. Therefore it is worthless to attach. Anatta.
Buddha's affinity in the world will last for only 12000 years. For the remaining period there will be no Buddhism until Maitreya Bodhisattva appears in 5.67 billion. Maitreya Bodhisattva will be the 5th Buddha to manifest in the Saha World.
The three periods of Shakyamuni Buddha in the world.
First the Dharma Perfect Age that last for a thousand years where by just observing the Five Precepts one can attain enlightenment.
The second period is the Dharma Semblance Age that last a thousand years, though the Buddha's Teachings has been distorted but not that serious. Beings that observe the Five Precepts and practice meditative concentration can attain enlightenment.
The period of Zen Buddhism.
The third period is the Dharma Ending Age which last for 10 thousand years where the Buddha's Teachings is seriously distorted. Even observing the Five Precepts and practice high level meditative concentration one will not be able to succeed in their cultivation.
During the Dharma Ending Age, the only method, which is the easiest, the most convinient and the most effective method for beings to succeed is the Mahayana Pureland Buddhism chanting the Buddha's Name Amitabha Buddha.
Though there are 84000 methods, and all methods are equal but none of these 84000 methods will be able to succeed in the Dharma Ending Age.
Like medicines that's unable to cure the sickness.
The Infinite Life Sutra and Chant the Buddha-name Amitabha Buddha is the most convenient and most effective method but it is also the most difficult to believe in method.
Even some Bodhisattvas find it hard to believe.
🙏🙏🙏Amituofo