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Re: Re: Interesting
I should mention here that it is more accurately my own interpretation of some texts from Tibetan Buddhism which may or may not correspond to accepted interpretations within those traditions. I do not in any way represent any specific tradition and most certainly do not consider myself an expert on any particular tradition either nor do I claim to have reached any advanced stage on the path. I'm just a traveler on the road of life, and although I have found much in terms of meaningfulness, in various traditions, it is always good to read and hear of others' interpretation from shared sources. May your contributions here lead all readers to full liberation from suffering.
posted by
AardigeAfrikaner
on July 3, 2008 at 12:52 PM
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Re: Interesting
Thanks for sharing about the information about some Tibetan interpretation of the enlightenment stages. They are very similar to the Four Fruitions of the Theravada tradition, originated at Buddha's time. Such interpretation is more useful with respect to meditation practice than the customary interpretation; and is quite close to what I think. I therefore decided to write on the interpretation of the Four Fruitions as came out of my blog yesterday.
When it is only a gap in discursive thinking, it is not very useful because the feeling of vexations and the sense of self will return soon after the gap is closed. That is not even accepted as satisfying the criterion of enlightenment, and may even be questionable for the criterion of initial enlightenment experience, or seeing the Buddha nature for the first time. And certainly it is not anything like full enlightenment. It was said by many masters that the Buddha is at no time in the perturbed condition. That is full enlightenment. It is not just some fleeting calm state while sitting on the meditation cushion. The real life is the testing ground for practice, not just the time on the meditation cushion. And that takes a great deal of effort in practising mindful awareness to accomplish.
posted by
WSChan
on July 3, 2008 at 10:48 AM
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Re: Very interesting blog.....
Thanks for your comment. I shall keep on sharing about the interesting findings.
posted by
WSChan
on July 3, 2008 at 10:23 AM
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Interesting
In some Tibetan traditions there is mention of various stages on the path to full enlightenment in terms of fruition. For instance, one such stage is called "path enterer" for one who has just begun the spiritual journey whilst a later stage is called "once returner", designating a person who has had an experience of enlightened mind, but who through the force of habitual tendencies returns to samsaric mind for the last time before finally entering permanent unhindered clearness of awareness. I have noticed a lot of teachings (mostly the "for sale" kind) confuse the ability to experience a "gap" in discursive thinking with full enlightenment. It is perhaps one of the characteristics that sets modern human beings apart from our forebears to want everything to be instant. Patience is not often rewarded in industrialized consumer society. I look forward to reading more articles by you.
posted by
AardigeAfrikaner
on July 2, 2008 at 4:32 AM
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Very interesting blog.....
I have been...I have read....now I am going to think about it...very interesting blog. Thanks for sharing this brilliant stuff. I look forward to reading much more in the future and to hopefully welcoming you to my own blog. Keep up the good work. Holly.x
posted by
HollyBird
on July 2, 2008 at 4:02 AM
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