Most of us, if asked, would say we want to live for a long time. More, many of us might say we'd like to live again after this life ended. This shows that we are very attached to this life and want as much of it as we can get. This, in fact, is not a source of happiness for us, but is a source of suffering because it keeps us locked in our own small perspective, unable to appreciate the bigger picture of being. We are "clinging to this life."
In the Early Buddhist Discourses, which are said to be the word of the Buddha (but remember were kept alive in an oral tradition for 400 years or more before they were written down), Buddha describes several different phases of awakening. The gist of these stages is that we gradually overcome our "clinging to life" in stages.
A Stream Enterer is free from:
In the Early Buddhist Discourses, which are said to be the word of the Buddha (but remember were kept alive in an oral tradition for 400 years or more before they were written down), Buddha describes several different phases of awakening. The gist of these stages is that we gradually overcome our "clinging to life" in stages.
A Stream Enterer is free from:
- 1. Believing in a separate self or ego
- 2. Attachment to rites and rituals
- 3. Doubt about the teachings
- 4. Sensual desire
- 5. Ill will
- 4. Sensual desire
- 5. Ill will
- 6. Craving for fine material existence (such as desire to be a soul in heaven)
- 7. Craving for existence on the level of formlessness (such as desire for life as pure intellect)
- 8. Conceit
- 9. Restlessness
- 10. Ignorance
I was raised as a Christian so I identify with the following information strongly. Part of what I was raised to know was that we have so much more to look forward to in Heaven than anything we could find on this Earth. I think it is true that our attachment to Earth proves our desire to cling to what is known and "safe." It seems difficult to completely let go of that attachment but I do agree with the thinking behind this.
ReplyDeleteWhile I know that there is going to be so much more after this life, I just don't understand why it is such a bad thing to want to cling to this life. Why shouldn't we cling to all things in our life? After all, aren't those things and experiences what make us who we are? And if we want to be who we are supposed to be in any sort of practice, whether that be Buddhism or any other religion, how can we do that if we were to be taught to hold onto nothing? What kind of person would you be? I feel like someone like that might be just someone who doesn't know what their life goal is because they don't know any goals but to reach enlightenment. Which, I think, is the point for Buddhism... but isn't that, for example, why in Samsara Tashi decides to go and live the life that he always wondered about? Now, I of course do not study or practice Buddhism, but there will always be things that people are curious about or wonder why something is the way it is in religions. It is interesting to see how others think when they practice Buddhism. It's so different than most of common religions in the United States in present day. Just some thoughts that came into my mind when I was reading this blog post.
ReplyDelete