Motivation Without Reincarnation?
Motivation Without Reincarnation?
The doctrine of reincarnation seems to me to have strong motivational effects for those seeking awakening. I've heard many teachers say belief in this doctrine is not required for attainment. QUESTION: are their any alternative/replacement doctrines and/or instructions to fill motivational void left for those who struggle with or outright reject reincarnation?
- retrofuturist
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Re: Motivation Without Reincarnation?
Greetings AnonOfIbid,
The Buddha didn't teach "reincarnation". Often what the Buddha taught was quite subtle, and many people call what he taught 'rebirth'... but what is that exactly? Well, as the pages upon pages of discussion in this topic go to show, even that's not entirely certain.
The Great Rebirth Debate
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=41" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
But anyway, on to your main question...
MN 60: Apannaka Sutta
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Metta,
Retro.
The Buddha didn't teach "reincarnation". Often what the Buddha taught was quite subtle, and many people call what he taught 'rebirth'... but what is that exactly? Well, as the pages upon pages of discussion in this topic go to show, even that's not entirely certain.
The Great Rebirth Debate
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=41" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
But anyway, on to your main question...
Yes. For example, there is this...Are their any alternative/replacement doctrines and/or instructions to fill motivational void left for those who struggle with or outright reject reincarnation?
MN 60: Apannaka Sutta
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Metta,
Retro.
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Re: Motivation Without Reincarnation?
retrofuturist wrote: The Buddha didn't teach "reincarnation".
He didn't dismiss it though either. Are you saying every instance of his use of it was just him putting it terms his audience could understand?
- retrofuturist
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Re: Motivation Without Reincarnation?
Greetings,
DN 1: Brahmajala Sutta
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .bodh.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
See:
Which word is the Pali word for rebirth?
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=5309" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Pali Term for Rebirth
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2263" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Metta,
Retro.
He dismissed all soul theories. See...AnonOfIbid wrote:He didn't dismiss it though either.
DN 1: Brahmajala Sutta
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .bodh.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
He didn't use the word "reincarnation", or any equivalent thereof.AnonOfIbid wrote:Are you saying every instance of his use of it was just him putting it terms his audience could understand?
See:
Which word is the Pali word for rebirth?
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=5309" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Pali Term for Rebirth
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2263" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Metta,
Retro.
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
- Goofaholix
- Posts: 4029
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- Location: New Zealand
Re: Motivation Without Reincarnation?
To answer your question for me the motivation to practise comes from the "rightness" of it, it seems like the right thing to do, it makes sense, it works.AnonOfIbid wrote:QUESTION: are their any alternative/replacement doctrines and/or instructions to fill motivational void left for those who struggle with or outright reject reincarnation?
Rebirth or the lack thereof has never affected my motivation, speculation on the subject has only served to confuse or demotivate.
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
“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
Re: Motivation Without Reincarnation?
The best alternative "doctrine" certainly is: Practice earnestly and observe the change and don't care about what you cannot yourself directly witness. That is the only approach that causes certainty.AnonOfIbid wrote:The doctrine of reincarnation seems to me to have strong motivational effects for those seeking awakening. I've heard many teachers say belief in this doctrine is not required for attainment. QUESTION: are their any alternative/replacement doctrines and/or instructions to fill motivational void left for those who struggle with or outright reject reincarnation?
Having said this some would not start to approach this approach if there would not be the doctrine of re-birth (please not "reincarnation"). Some would perhaps prefer to commit suicide being deluded into believing that this would solve their problems.
Kind regards
Re: Motivation Without Reincarnation?
TMingyur wrote:The best alternative "doctrine" certainly is: Practice earnestly and observe the change and don't care about what you cannot yourself directly witness. That is the only approach that causes certainty.
Having said this some would not start to approach this approach if there would not be the doctrine of re-birth (please not "reincarnation"). Some would perhaps prefer to commit suicide being deluded into believing that this would solve their problems.
Kind regards
Re: Motivation Without Reincarnation?
Now that's what I call helpful/useful/relevant. My bad. Should've searched for the topic first.
For the record: believe it or not, I've never, nor do I currently feel any ill-will toward you (i'm sick of writing "metta" at the end of everything--but i presume it's a given among, dare I say, Buddhists? he-he).retrofuturist wrote:He didn't use the word "reincarnation", or any equivalent thereof.AnonOfIbid wrote:Are you saying every instance of his use of it was just him putting it terms his audience could understand?
See:
Which word is the Pali word for rebirth?
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=5309" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Pali Term for Rebirth
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2263" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Metta,
Retro.