If nature/reality/time is considered cyclical..

Exploring Theravāda's connections to other paths - what can we learn from other traditions, religions and philosophies?
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curiosity
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If nature/reality/time is considered cyclical..

Post by curiosity »

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Last edited by curiosity on Fri Jan 17, 2014 8:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Mkoll
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Re: If nature/reality/time is considered cyclical..

Post by Mkoll »

Dear curiosity,

I don't recall the Buddha ever saying that nature/reality/time is considered "cyclical".

How do you define "cyclical"?

:anjali:
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
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manas
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Re: If nature/reality/time is considered cyclical..

Post by manas »

curiosity wrote:How is it that one does not ever return from Nirvana to the other stages?

Does this not breach the intrinsic nature of cyclicality?
Hi curiousity,

One who has attained to the ending of craving is 'untraceable even in the here-and-now', so we certainly cannot define them after they have passed away. We are getting past what words can adequately describe here.

kind regards,
manas
:anjali:
To the Buddha-refuge i go; to the Dhamma-refuge i go; to the Sangha-refuge i go.
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Goofaholix
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Re: If nature/reality/time is considered cyclical..

Post by Goofaholix »

curiosity wrote:How is it that one does not ever return from Nirvana to the other stages?

Does this not breach the intrinsic nature of cyclicality?
Because Nibbana is the only thing that breaks the cycle of samsara, that's the point, and one of the reasons why it's worth pursuing.
Pronouns (no self / not self)
“Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher. Where you experience suffering, you can also find freedom from suffering. Trying to run away from suffering is actually to run toward it.”
― Ajahn Chah
walkart
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Re: If nature/reality/time is considered cyclical..

Post by walkart »

curiosity wrote:How is it that one does not ever return from Nirvana to the other stages?

Does this not breach the intrinsic nature of cyclicality?
There is cycles, but its not mean that all will repaet in exactly the same way.
Spiny Norman
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Re: If nature/reality/time is considered cyclical..

Post by Spiny Norman »

Goofaholix wrote: Because Nibbana is the only thing that breaks the cycle of samsara, that's the point, and one of the reasons why it's worth pursuing.
Yes, that's how I understand it.
Buddha save me from new-agers!
Babadhari
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Re: If nature/reality/time is considered cyclical..

Post by Babadhari »

Goofaholix wrote:
Because Nibbana is the only thing that breaks the cycle of samsara, that's the point, and one of the reasons why it's worth pursuing.
:goodpost:
Aflame with the fire of passion, the fire of aversion, the fire of delusion.
Aflame, with birth, aging & death, with sorrows, lamentations, pains, distresses, & despairs ......

Seeing thus, the disciple of the Noble One grows disenchanted. SN 35.28
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Ceisiwr
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Re: If nature/reality/time is considered cyclical..

Post by Ceisiwr »

curiosity wrote:How is it that one does not ever return from Nirvana to the other stages?

Does this not breach the intrinsic nature of cyclicality?
Only if you make the error of making nibbana into some kind of metaphysical crystal palace thats out there and that its a destination that we reach


How do you understand Nibbana?
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
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