Yup..Originally posted by Isis:But there is a reason that u get cut, even it was not intended..? probably due to some other prior karmic reasons?
just wonder...

















No intention isn't "nothing" intention.Originally posted by Isis:'nothing' intention... then u couldn't be acting on it liao
but then u r right, good or bad depends on how one see it.
'Emptiness' is in play here.
Originally posted by Herzog_Zwei:No intention isn't "nothing" intention.
Because whenever there's an action, there may not be an intention.![]()
No "nothing" intention may not be an intention
Originally posted by _wanderer_:Let me define it... as having entered the Noble Path. That means either Sotapanna at least, or 1st Bhumi Bodhisattva.
Originally posted by An Eternal Now:
So far I am not aware of any deviant people in our forum Also regarding attainments, it is fine to reveal one's attainment depending on conditions. In fact Arhats like Dharma Dan (http://www.inter activebuddha.com/ about.shtml) openly announced his attainments of Arhatship and Jhanas... Buddha also announced his attainment of Buddhahood, as well as the top disciples like Shariputra and Mogallana -- the early Arhats all have the tradition of announcing their attainments. So announcing attainment is fine as long as it is not misleading, and truly enlightened people do not boast (I've never seen anyone boasting in this forum of their attainment so that's a good sign). However, if announcing attainment can help others so that others may know who they can learn from, that's not necessarily bad. Just that in modern times, attaining enlightenment is not something people would often discuss, one of the reason is because of taboos.. however that was not the case in early Buddhism.
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Hmm I think AEN you're introducing lay people who have had some meditative experiences or realizations, with the kind motivation of hoping to point people towards the 'right direction'. In this case, I would have some reservations... and I'll explain my concerns a little more.
When you say that someone is Enlightened, we don't know what you mean by Enlightenment. You may say that there are different degrees of Enlightenment, but do you know what level of Enlightenment do these people have? Does it mean these people have become Buddhas/ Bodhisattvas (of which bhumi?)/
Pratyekabuddhas/ Arhats/ Arhat-to-be/ or practitioners with some stable meditative experiences? No matter which level of Enlightenment you are referring to, when you say you know some people are Enlightened, the first impression most people get are that these people are some sort like the Buddha, if not like the Buddha, then at least some sort like Bodhisattvas or Arhats.Yes I did clarify in PM..
The question is, how do you know?I understand. Someone did authenticate some other guy and told me
The problem is when we ourselves are unenlightened, we can't really do the job of knowing who's enlightened and who's not. For you to be able to truly ascertain somebody's level of attainment, you need to be at least at that level, if not higher than that. Only a 10th Bhumi Bodhisattva can authenticate that another fellow being is either a 9th or 10th Bhumi Bodhisattva.
The person himself/herself proclaiming that he/she has certain attainments may or may not be correct. Even when we read Dharma texts and then we try to see if this so-and-so speaks like what the Dharma text described - therefore this person must be enlightened --> this doesn't work either; because Enlightenment cannot be quantified into a set of checklists.First of all.. my understanding is not based on unfounded claims or my own judgements.. meaning there are authentications of their understandings, even from teacher of recognised lineages. You can PM me for more information.
In your example above about the announcement of attainment, remember it's Buddha who said so-and-so has become an Arahant, not any fellow practicing unenlightened being making the announcement.
When we are stil unenlightened, it is good not to quickly jumping to conclusion and telling others with utmost confidence that so-and-so is enlightened.
Because:
(1) You can never be sure unless you yourself have become enlightened.
(2) If that so-called enlightened person is not truly enlightened, you are giving other people the wrong impression & understanding of what enlightenment is.
(3) If that so-called enlightened person still have even 0.00001% of ego, then your constant proclamation that they are already enlightened may just give them more burden of ego to unload...thus really delaying them from true accomplishment.
Even Buddha and his enlightened disciples seldom go around telling people about their attainments, for the very reason because deluded beings like us tend to grasp to such things as enlightenment, accomplishment etc.... but the Dharma path is really a journey without goal. You do not get more enlightened by hearing that someone is enlightened. You get more enlightened by hearing the Dharma, engaging in the practice and realizing the true essence of Prajnaparamita.
Even till today, it is a common advice not to talk about spiritual attainment, because our tendency is to grasp to it.Agreed. Actually I don't really 'go around telling everyone', only rarely on some conditions like owl's. I also won't just tell everyone (i.e someone who doesnt like buddhism).
Of course to know that some people have certain attainments after embarking on the Dharma path can be very faith-inspiring. I think that's fine and it's sufficient to rejoice wholeheartedly. But we should refrain from getting overly excited about it or go around telling people so and so is enlightened, due to the above reasons I stated. It can attract obstacles to the Dharma path.
thanks for creating this for me! so touched.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Hi I'm creating this thread for Winnie because I think it'll be better to start a thread and leave Metta Lounge for pure chatting... for his original posts see http://buddhism.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=196831&page=17
He asked
Awakening is to directly realise our primordially pure Buddha Nature... or pristine awareness. As _wanderer_ nicely wrote regarding anger..
...(3) Know that your true nature has never ever been stained by such temporary defilements. Therefore such defilements are removable.
You have to recognize that at that moment you are angry, but you are NOT anger.
Knowing that you are NOT anger is important, because then anger is removable.
Just like when there is a stain on your window, you know that the stain is not part of your window, that is why you will clean away the stain. If you don't believe that the stain is removable, if you thought that the stain were part of the window, then you wouldn't even attempt to clean it away.
Likewise, when your anger arises, recognize the fact that you want to and you can actually remove anger is because it was never part of your true nature. Know that the stain is clean-able. The anger and all other defilements are removable. Your original nature (often referred to as Buddha Nature, or Tathagatha-garbha, or kham) is primordially pure and unstained...
...(6) Aspire that one day you will be able to enjoy defilements.
Right now we're still trying to clean the window. Therefore we have methods such as "letting go of the anger", "generating compassion" etc - these are all the practice of "cleaning the stains away". When we practice long enough, we will gradually see the "appearance of a clean window" - i.e. our minds become kinder, softer, etc...
But actually there is no such thing as the "appearance of a clean window", because the window has never been dirtied before. Remember? The stain was never part of the window. Therefore, while clearing away the stain allows the "clean" window to appear, after your cleaning, the window is not any cleaner, nor is it any less dirty.
Therefore, the stains (defilements) were never a problem at all. Our primordially pure Buddha nature had never been stained, and has never been moved. Thus the Heart Sutra says "no arising, no cessation; no increase, no decrease".
At that time, defilements are not an issue anymore....
For now, it's pretty much beyond us. So the best is just to aspire that one day we will 'realize' that.
Though we arent enlightened, the point is that it isnt beyond us, many ordinary practitioners became enlightened too.. including some in this forum.
thanks for sharing this!Originally posted by Isis:i think the most exciting part is... not about the theory but to able to related to it and improve one's life, not only to yourself but the people around u.
2 cent of view from someone whom isn't enlightened
Kalama sutra:
"Rely not on the teacher/person, but on the teaching. Rely not on the words of the teaching, but on the spirit of the words. Rely not on theory, but on experience.Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do not believe anything because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything because it is written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and
elders.But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and the benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."
- The Buddha
Originally posted by winnie^_^:i see
thanks for creating this for me! so touched.
btw... i am "she" not "he"... lol.[/b]
okay.. take your time and happy readingOriginally posted by winnie^_^:hi eternal... i read the chinese wordings on Buddhism which u posted...
"zhi hui"... hmm... i still haven "open" my zhi hui and xin xiong... it is not easy... tht's y i am easily bad tempered and sometimes will unhappy abt minor things...
will continue reading later... becos too long liao... till page 23......
Hmm v sorry but if you got any qn or things you dont quite understand I'll try to clarifyOriginally posted by winnie^_^:thanks eternal for this thread... i jus found it only...
btw... i think iris is correct... the things u posted are too profound for me to understand... i did not read all...
however... i still appreciate it! Many thanks![]()
Originally posted by An Eternal Now:You ah *grin* Received your PM, thanks.
[b]
Let me define it... as having entered the Noble Path. That means either Sotapanna at least, or 1st Bhumi Bodhisattva.
I understand. Someone did authenticate some other guy and told me So I roughly know lah... in terms of 4 stage/bhumis.
First of all.. my understanding is not based on unfounded claims or my own judgements.. meaning there are authentications of their understandings, even from teacher of recognised lineages. You can PM me for more information. b]
Secondly.. I agree one shouldn't focus so much on accomplishment. However the very least we must say is this: There are people enlightened (even today and not the ancient past), there are those you can learn from, and most definitely you can get enlightened. It's not something only a chosen few can achieve. If one have at least some confidence in this, then they will really want to practise the dharma. Truly the dharma is a pathless path, but what concerns most beginners is "does this path really work?"I think there were times when you, perhaps unknowingly, confidently state that somebody has achieved a particular level of attainment in the public forum.
Agreed. Actually I don't really 'go around telling everyone', only rarely on some conditions like owl's. I also won't just tell everyone (i.e someone who doesnt like buddhism).
Anyway you're right about the Kalama sutra. It's good to know about those attaining realisations, but still one must practise consistently and see for himself. Therefore I said the whole point in all these is not about worshipping someone else but knowing that there is this possibility, so one should remain open minded, find out more, and find out more from those who have such direct insights themselves.The delusions of subtle beings are very subtle. I don't wish to put down any spiritual person, but I seriously doubt the accomplishment at least one of your sources - I believe he has positive intentions, but he may not have achieved what he thinks he has. Reading his stuff and following his advice would be useful, but the claim of accomplishment is a little fishy. And the problem is, if he has not accomplished what you believe him to be, then all his claims about what it means to be accomplished to that degree... would be misleading.[/quote]
Fishy or not is often a matter of whether getting used to hearing such statements, or having some ideas in us about what an enlightened person is or is not, or should or should not do (i.e he cannot do this or that, he cannot say he's arhat, etc). I have seen absurd examples like 'An arhat cannot think or say that he's an arhat because he realised no-self'... not knowing no-self refers to the nature of reality, not about conventional/relative truths. Of course that person will not be attached to the idea of 'being arhat', but nevertheless did sincerely think that it can truly help some people if he did proclaim such accomplishments. There are a lot of other delusions about enlightened beings as well, and people like Dharma Dan have debunked such illusions very well.. which is why sometimes its good to have such people who are very 'open' and not following the old dogmas and taboos or even continuing perpetuating the absurd traditional ideas (i.e arhats must enter sangha within 7 days otherwise he will die), see http://www.interactivebuddha.com/arahats.shtml. Anyway there are others who can testify that person's accomplishment too. But even so if you are not convinced that's fine too hehe... i dont think it needs to be a 'definitely right' or 'definitely wrong' thing.. or is believing that he's an arhat necessary or what.
[quote]Originally posted by _wanderer_:I think there were times when you, perhaps unknowingly, confidently state that somebody has achieved a particular level of attainment in the public forum.
I agree that there certainly are people who have had various attainments through embarking on the Dharma path, and that definitely is very inspiring.I myself am inspired when I have had encounters with people who have realizations and attainments.
Like what you said, it is okay for you to share with others and get them acquainted with beings of various spiritual maturity. In fact, I think it's good to do that. But as long as I am not yet accomplished, and I do not have 100% certainty, ie through my direct experience, I know that someone is accomplished, I prefer not to be absolute in my beliefs and statements about somebody's accomplishment. Even if I deem it useful for that to be shared to someone, I will use more tentative terms.
But that is what I do. Think about what benefits people truly and do what you deem is useful.
Eventually though, do tell the friends whom you introduced all the spiritual teachers... tell them about the Four Reliances. and Isis' posting on Kalamma Sutta. Even if it's the Buddha who told us some things, one should examine what he says. So even if that person is an Arhat, a Bodhisattva or not... we should listen whole-heartedly, then examine what we heard, and after we found what's useful for us, practice consistently.
In general, it's not so important whether that person has attained. It's more important that one has sieved out the Right View from whatever someone else has said. So that, if one day, this so-called spiritual being made some mistakes, did something wrong, or did something shocking, your friends don't suddenly lose confidence in the Dharma and the path.
I think I should end here for now.![]()
I agree with you... such experience is hard to quantifyOriginally posted by _wanderer_:I think there were times when you, perhaps unknowingly, confidently state that somebody has achieved a particular level of attainment in the public forum.
I agree that there certainly are people who have had various attainments through embarking on the Dharma path, and that definitely is very inspiring.I myself am inspired when I have had encounters with people who have realizations and attainments.
Like what you said, it is okay for you to share with others and get them acquainted with beings of various spiritual maturity. In fact, I think it's good to do that. But as long as I am not yet accomplished, and I do not have 100% certainty, ie through my direct experience, I know that someone is accomplished, I prefer not to be absolute in my beliefs and statements about somebody's accomplishment. Even if I deem it useful for that to be shared to someone, I will use more tentative terms.
But that is what I do. Think about what benefits people truly and do what you deem is useful.
Eventually though, do tell the friends whom you introduced all the spiritual teachers... tell them about the Four Reliances. and Isis' posting on Kalamma Sutta. Even if it's the Buddha who told us some things, one should examine what he says. So even if that person is an Arhat, a Bodhisattva or not... we should listen whole-heartedly, then examine what we heard, and after we found what's useful for us, practice consistently.
In general, it's not so important whether that person has attained. It's more important that one has sieved out the Right View from whatever someone else has said. So that, if one day, this so-called spiritual being made some mistakes, did something wrong, or did something shocking, your friends don't suddenly lose confidence in the Dharma and the path.
I think I should end here for now.![]()
Originally posted by An Eternal Now:I don't think it is just a matter of getting used to hearing such statements.
Fishy or not is often a matter of whether getting used to hearing such statements, or having some ideas in us about what an enlightened person is or is not, or should or should not do (i.e he cannot do this or that, he cannot say he's arhat, etc). I have seen absurd examples like 'An arhat cannot think or say that he's an arhat because he realised no-self'... not knowing no-self refers to the nature of reality, not about conventional/relative truths. Of course that person will not be attached to the idea of 'being arhat', but nevertheless did sincerely think that it can truly help some people if he did proclaim such accomplishments. There are a lot of other delusions about enlightened beings as well, and people like Dharma Dan have debunked such illusions very well.. which is why sometimes its good to have such people who are very 'open' and not following the old dogmas and taboos or even continuing perpetuating the absurd traditional ideas (i.e arhats must enter sangha within 7 days otherwise he will die). Anyway there are others who can testify that person's accomplishment too. But even so if you are not convinced that's fine too hehe... i dont think it needs to be a 'definitely right' or 'definitely wrong' thing.. or is believing that he's an arhat necessary or what.
Yup, we are in agreement on this point.
Anyway you're right about the Kalama sutra. It's good to know about those attaining realisations, but still one must practise consistently and see for himself. Therefore I said the whole point in all these is not about worshipping someone else but knowing that there is this possibility, so one should remain open minded, find out more, and find out more from those who have such direct insights themselves.
I for one is convinced that for example, Dharma Dan is an arhat... for many reasons, other than being authenticated by incl. his teacher and others, the level of insight corresponding to the Buddhist stages up to Arhatship (see recently posted article http://web.mac.com/danielmingram/iWeb/Daniel%20Ingram%27s%20Dharma%20Blog/The%20Blook/51EE7943-0A69-488A-B5B0-3C8F2EF7C5E8.html) as well as writing all about Nirodha Samapatti from personal experiences which means he will at least be an Anagami, and other forms of insights... however I would say it is up to discretion of readers, but before making any conclusions please read his entire book. But anyway we also shld't just read his book to make conclusions.. most impt is read his book for our practise and insightsOriginally posted by _wanderer_:I don't think it is just a matter of getting used to hearing such statements. Smile
We can get used to such things once we look at a lot of pseudo-Buddhist cults.
Just because he debunked some illusions doesn't mean he got the rest correct. Neither does it imply he definitely has some attainments.
Since it is not a definitely right or wrong thing, it is safer not to make statements that are absolutely sure , such as "*so-and-so* is a *whatever*".