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Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 11:45 pm
by SarathW
According to Buddhist stories, that Buddha descended from the Deva world (heaven) to this earth to attain Nirvana.
Is it possible that we are here for the same reason?

Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 11:46 pm
by tiltbillings
SarathW wrote:According to Buddhist stories, that Buddha descended from the Deva world (heaven) to this earth to attain Nirvana.
Is it possible that we are here for the same reason?
Who would determine that?

Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 12:32 am
by greggorious
Who knows what we're here for. Why don't you practice and find out for yourself :)

Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 1:18 am
by Polar Bear
SarathW wrote:According to Buddhist stories, that Buddha descended from the Deva world (heaven) to this earth to attain Nirvana.
Is it possible that we are here for the same reason?
It is up to you to decide what you are here for. If your goal is nibbana then that is what you're here for. If your goal is to drink copious amounts of irish whiskey then that is what you're here for. If your goal is to have a loving family and raise children then that is what your here for. Your goals are what you're here for. But you get to choose your goals.

:namaste:

Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 4:11 am
by ground
SarathW wrote:According to Buddhist stories, that Buddha descended from the Deva world (heaven) to this earth to attain Nirvana.
Is it possible that we are here for the same reason?
All that arises will cease. Reasons qua thoughts arise and will cease too. Also perception of "I", "you" and "we" :sage:

Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 4:27 am
by pegembara
:goodpost:

Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 3:30 am
by BlackBird
Hi Sarath you asked me where I got my idea that the only purpose in existence is to reach Nibbana. I got it from Ven. Nyanavira. I will endevour to hunt out he passage in question. But honestly, you seem like an intelligent person, if you know our Buddha you will know that he never spoke in favour of continued existence in samsara, Nibbana is the highest goal - The only meaningful purpose. I don't see why this is a point of contention for you, honestly I don't.

Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 4:57 am
by SarathW
Hi BB
I am not in disagreement with you but I just surprise to see someone else came up with the same idea.
I haven’t read or heard about Ven. Nayanvira. Please find me the link.

What I see is that everyone is trying to be happy, from mosquito to human.
We indulge in sensual pleasures, steal, and kill just to be happy without realising that all these happiness is temporary and lead us to more misery.
Unfortunately animal can’t learn Buddha Dhamma. They have to wait until they become human.
Even if you are a human you have to be pretty lucky to learn that from someone.

I was borne to a Buddhist family but I had very little knowledge about Buddhism. So I was looking for the reason of our existence.
So I started studying other religions such as Christianity, Hinduism etc.
One day one of my Islamic friend gave me the copy of Buddha’s Teaching by Narada.
That is the first time I learnt about Anatta. I almost jumped out of the bed because that’s what I was looking for!
I know that my OP is not much help to anyone but I could not resist posting it because I am still seeking happiness from ignorance.
:)

Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 5:31 am
by BlackBird
hi Sarath. Ven. Nyanavira was an English monk who ordained in Sri Lanka in the 1950's.

Here is his seminal work:
http://nanavira.org/index.php/notes-on-dhamma

Here is a short bio:
http://nanavira.org/index.php/home/the-author

Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 11:54 am
by acinteyyo
SarathW wrote:According to Buddhist stories, that Buddha descended from the Deva world (heaven) to this earth to attain Nirvana.
Is it possible that we are here for the same reason?
Hi SarathW,
Image
I don't think we are "here" on purpose but it's "intended".
AN 6.63 Nibbedhika Sutta wrote:Intention, I tell you, is kamma. Intending, one does kamma by way of body, speech, & intellect.
MN 135 Cula-kammavibhanga Sutta: The Shorter Analysis of Action wrote:Beings are owners of kamma, heir to kamma, born of kamma, related through kamma, and have kamma as their arbitrator. Kamma is what creates distinctions among beings in terms of coarseness & refinement...
best wishes, acinteyyo

Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 4:52 pm
by reflection
Funny cartoon!

I think the need to have a purpose is something created by humans. It's like an emotion or feeling most of us have. But is it -as a matter of speaking- written in the stars? I don't think so.

We are in this earth because we have not yet attained nirvana, that's the way I would put it.

Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 5:13 pm
by DNS
reflection wrote: I think the need to have a purpose is something created by humans. It's like an emotion or feeling most of us have. But is it -as a matter of speaking- written in the stars? I don't think so.
We are in this earth because we have not yet attained nirvana, that's the way I would put it.
I agree; having meaning and purpose are human inventions. Even if there were some "Creator-being" what would be his (it usually is a he) purpose and reason for even creating us, testing us? Is it all some kind mad scientist experiment? Why can't we all just go to heaven for eternity without all the temptations, the testing? Why do some live to 4 months and die and others to 104?

Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 9:58 pm
by dagon
Please correct me where i am wrong because i am "here" to get answers not to give answers.

My understanding is that i am "here" as a result of grasping that caused caused me to be born in to a cycle of birth, death and suffering and the karma that i have created for myself by exercise the choices in my existences. When i have looked at other belief systems i was looking for some other entity to blame for my condition rather than take responsibility for my own past and present actions. My purpose in life is what i set for myself and that purpose has changed over the years. The purpose i set myself in my younger years was to enjoy by creating illusions of happiness exemplified by using large quantities of intoxicants.

What Buddhas enlighten compassionate teachings have given me is an understanding of why i am here, what is reality and what i can do about it. With some knowledge and a little understanding of the The Four Noble Truths and The Noble Eightfold Path my purpose that i set myself changes again.

Metta
paul

Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 10:21 pm
by reflection
dagon wrote:Please correct me where i am wrong because i am "here" to get answers not to give answers.

My understanding is that i am "here" as a result of grasping that caused caused me to be born in to a cycle of birth, death and suffering and the karma that i have created for myself by exercise the choices in my existences. When i have looked at other belief systems i was looking for some other entity to blame for my condition rather than take responsibility for my own past and present actions. My purpose in life is what i set for myself and that purpose has changed over the years. The purpose i set myself in my younger years was to enjoy by creating illusions of happiness exemplified by using large quantities of intoxicants.

What Buddhas enlighten compassionate teachings have given me is an understanding of why i am here, what is reality and what i can do about it. With some knowledge and a little understanding of the The Four Noble Truths and The Noble Eightfold Path my purpose that i set myself changes again.

Metta
paul
Hi Paul,

This may be interesting for you to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkamCVD ... 58791FFE43

Have fun!

Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 12:02 am
by Mindstar
I like to look at it in some sort of impersonal logic.
Lets say reality is some type of computer program that has lots of consciousness processes in it.
But actually none of these consciousness processes have a clue why they actually exist. However because they are able to investigate through meditation practice and have got a good teacher they find out that the only acceptable state to exist in is a state of timeless happiness. But because of how the program has been created this state is not possible. A state of a periodic suffering/happiness duality is not worthwhile to exist in. So what is the logical conclusion? Consciousness processes who have realized these things will simply have an effort to turn themselves off / let everything go, right? How long should one hold onto a hot and scorching bar before he lets go?

Image