Alex
You have given me a lot to respond to
Rather than saying "However if there is no clinging then there is no mental dukkha, no stress or pain" do you mean "However if there is no clinging then there is no mental dukkha, no mental stress or mental pain pain" ? If it is the latter than I mostly agree. Though Ud 4.5 and MN26 do show that even a Buddha can experience some degree of dukkha, perhaps only due to physical stress (of teaching Dhamma or putting up with unruly monks, nuns and laypeople).
Physical pain is just a sensation, dukkha is what we create around it via aversion. This is based on my own direct observance and what I have been taught by teachers and its also in line with the Four Noble Truths
Dont get stuck on words
Do you know how craving leads to dukkha according to D.O. ?
Why is this relevant?
Whats wrong with birth?
Birth of "I" is dukkha
I wonder how the metaphorical births & deaths of ego identity can be reconciled with the simile above.
Why is birth of "I" metaphorical?
“The heap of bones one person leaves behind With the passing of a single aeon Would form a heap as high as a mountain: Such is said by the Great Sage.
This is declared to be as massive As the tall Vepulla Mountain Standing north of Vulture Peak In the Magadhan mountain range.
SN15.10 (10) Person. Ven BB Trans.
I wonder how the metaphorical births & deaths of ego identity can be reconciled with the simile above.
No reason why this cant be read as an Hyperbole
If there is no rebirth than the path is mostly pointless
This is your argument not mine. Have I said there is no rebirth, or have I just discussed the view itself? Would help if you actually read my posts carefully if we are to have a discussion
Your sutta quote does refute your own position. A well taught noble disciple can feel a painful feeling dukkha vedanā. So this own quote tells us that even ariyasāvako can feel dukkha.
touched by a painful feeling = dukkhāya vedanāya phuṭṭho
The Sutta is quite clear that the practice is to put an end to the second dart and, by extension, physical pain is just that
As for Hell, the Buddha has clearly stated that it was neither metaphor, nor belief on His part.
I have experienced Hell as well, as have you