Did Buddha say “The world is but an illusion?

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
SarathW
Posts: 21183
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:49 am

Did Buddha say “The world is but an illusion?

Post by SarathW »

Can someone tell me what exactly Buddha said about illusion. Did he say that world (five aggregate) is an illusion (Maya)?

I am reading a book called The Buddha’s Ancient Path by Ven Piyadassi Thero. page 56 it says:

In regard to Kassapa’s question Buddha said “Surely, Kassapa, suffering is not non-existent. Suffering is”

Does it mean that suffering is not an illusion?

If world is an illusion why Buddha asked us to practice Metta?
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
daverupa
Posts: 5980
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 6:58 pm

Re: Did Buddha say “The world is but an illusion?

Post by daverupa »

SN 22.95 wrote:Form is like a glob of foam; feeling, a bubble; perception, a mirage; fabrications, a banana tree; consciousness, a magic trick — this has been taught by the Kinsman of the Sun. However you observe them, appropriately examine them, they're empty, void to whoever sees them appropriately.
Suffering does exist; the world is not an illusion, but it is empty.
  • "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting oneself one protects others? By the pursuit, development, and cultivation of the four establishments of mindfulness. It is in such a way that by protecting oneself one protects others.

    "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting others one protects oneself? By patience, harmlessness, goodwill, and sympathy. It is in such a way that by protecting others one protects oneself.

- Sedaka Sutta [SN 47.19]
User avatar
tiltbillings
Posts: 23046
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am

Re: Did Buddha say “The world is but an illusion?

Post by tiltbillings »

daverupa wrote: but it is empty.
Of what?
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
daverupa
Posts: 5980
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 6:58 pm

Re: Did Buddha say “The world is but an illusion?

Post by daverupa »

tiltbillings wrote:
daverupa wrote: but it is empty.
Of what?
Of a self or that which belongs to a self.
  • "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting oneself one protects others? By the pursuit, development, and cultivation of the four establishments of mindfulness. It is in such a way that by protecting oneself one protects others.

    "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting others one protects oneself? By patience, harmlessness, goodwill, and sympathy. It is in such a way that by protecting others one protects oneself.

- Sedaka Sutta [SN 47.19]
User avatar
m0rl0ck
Posts: 1193
Joined: Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:51 am

Re: Did Buddha say “The world is but an illusion?

Post by m0rl0ck »

Then who / what suffers?
“The truth knocks on the door and you say, "Go away, I'm looking for the truth," and so it goes away. Puzzling.” ― Robert M. Pirsig
User avatar
tiltbillings
Posts: 23046
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am

Re: Did Buddha say “The world is but an illusion?

Post by tiltbillings »

m0rl0ck wrote:Then who / what suffers?
You do.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
User avatar
m0rl0ck
Posts: 1193
Joined: Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:51 am

Re: Did Buddha say “The world is but an illusion?

Post by m0rl0ck »

tiltbillings wrote:
m0rl0ck wrote:Then who / what suffers?
You do.
:rofl:
“The truth knocks on the door and you say, "Go away, I'm looking for the truth," and so it goes away. Puzzling.” ― Robert M. Pirsig
daverupa
Posts: 5980
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 6:58 pm

Re: Did Buddha say “The world is but an illusion?

Post by daverupa »

Just suffering arises, just suffering ceases.
SN 12.15 wrote:"By & large, Kaccayana, this world is in bondage to attachments, clingings (sustenances), & biases. But one such as this does not get involved with or cling to these attachments, clingings, fixations of awareness, biases, or obsessions; nor is he resolved on 'my self.' He has no uncertainty or doubt that just stress, when arising, is arising; stress, when passing away, is passing away. In this, his knowledge is independent of others. It's to this extent, Kaccayana, that there is right view.
  • "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting oneself one protects others? By the pursuit, development, and cultivation of the four establishments of mindfulness. It is in such a way that by protecting oneself one protects others.

    "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting others one protects oneself? By patience, harmlessness, goodwill, and sympathy. It is in such a way that by protecting others one protects oneself.

- Sedaka Sutta [SN 47.19]
User avatar
tiltbillings
Posts: 23046
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am

Re: Did Buddha say “The world is but an illusion?

Post by tiltbillings »

daverupa wrote:Just suffering arises, just suffering ceases.
With such insight, such would be your knowledge; you will no longer have dukkha.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
User avatar
Viscid
Posts: 931
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:55 pm
Location: Toronto, Canada
Contact:

Re: Did Buddha say “The world is but an illusion?

Post by Viscid »

:popcorn:
"What holds attention determines action." - William James
User avatar
tiltbillings
Posts: 23046
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am

Re: Did Buddha say “The world is but an illusion?

Post by tiltbillings »

Viscid wrote::popcorn:
And you are eating popcorn.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
daverupa
Posts: 5980
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 6:58 pm

Re: Did Buddha say “The world is but an illusion?

Post by daverupa »

tiltbillings wrote:
Viscid wrote::popcorn:
And you are eating popcorn.
Empty calories...
  • "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting oneself one protects others? By the pursuit, development, and cultivation of the four establishments of mindfulness. It is in such a way that by protecting oneself one protects others.

    "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting others one protects oneself? By patience, harmlessness, goodwill, and sympathy. It is in such a way that by protecting others one protects oneself.

- Sedaka Sutta [SN 47.19]
User avatar
tiltbillings
Posts: 23046
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am

Re: Did Buddha say “The world is but an illusion?

Post by tiltbillings »

daverupa wrote:
tiltbillings wrote:
Viscid wrote::popcorn:
And you are eating popcorn.
Empty calories...
All the better to become more expansive.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
User avatar
Viscid
Posts: 931
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:55 pm
Location: Toronto, Canada
Contact:

Re: Did Buddha say “The world is but an illusion?

Post by Viscid »

tiltbillings wrote:
daverupa wrote:
tiltbillings wrote:And you are eating popcorn.
Empty calories...
All the better to become more expansive.
Expansiveness is suffering. :(
"What holds attention determines action." - William James
SarathW
Posts: 21183
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:49 am

Re: Did Buddha say “The world is but an illusion?

Post by SarathW »

daverupa wrote:
SN 22.95 wrote:Form is like a glob of foam; feeling, a bubble; perception, a mirage; fabrications, a banana tree; consciousness, a magic trick — this has been taught by the Kinsman of the Sun. However you observe them, appropriately examine them, they're empty, void to whoever sees them appropriately.
Suffering does exist; the world is not an illusion, but it is empty.
Hi Daverupa
Thanks for the link. The pali word "Maya" means magic trick. However it is translate to english as illusion. The world mean the five aggregate in Buddhism. So Buddha said consiousness is an illusion!
Hence world should be an illusion too!
Dukkha (Suffering) also refered to five aggregate. So Dukkha cant be real!
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
Post Reply