Is enlightenment possible without a teacher?

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
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zerotime
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Re: Is enlightenment possible without a teacher?

Post by zerotime »

Stefan wrote:Is Nibbana (or at least sotapatti) possible to attain without a teacher or a kalyanamitta?
definitely yes. Sometimes even it can be better. You need deep faith, sincerity with yourself, humility and intensity in your purpose. You don't need a lot of knowledge of Buddhism just pursuing that teaching that you feel is in the core of the matter. After testing nibbana then you will need the advice of wise people beyond your point.
mindfullmom
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Re: Is enlightenment possible without a teacher?

Post by mindfullmom »

Hi Stefan,

I have had those very same questions myself. I live in an area where there is no opportunity in close proximity to learn teacher or benefit from a sangha. Well, there is one but I have found out it is not reputable. I have practiced for about three years on my own and have come to realize that much can be accomplished on my own. I think sometimes we box ourselves into the limited idea that we need to pursue the path the way it has been traditionally pursued, ie, with live in-person teachers and support. If the masters of the past had access to a magical "machine" (computer) that had every teaching inside it that they could look at any time of night or day, and could provide them with conversations as well, would they have travelled great distances to find a teacher? I wonder.

Maybe the conditions are not ripe yet for you and I to have live teachers near enough to us but we were fortunate enough to be born in a time and place where we have the internet. :toast:
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kc2dpt
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Re: Is enlightenment possible without a teacher?

Post by kc2dpt »

Thus have I heard. At one time the Lord was hosting a web forum at http://www.jeta-wood.savatthi.gov/anathapindika" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Then a devata who was a former blood-relation of Bahiya of the Bark-cloth IM'd Bahiya thus: "Yur no arahant foo. Email [email protected]." Then Bahiya of the Bark-cloth, profoundly stirred by the IM of that devata, then and there departed from http://www.supparaka.gov/seashore" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, stopping only to check his bid for a zafu on eBay. At that time a number of bhikkhus were in chat. "The Buddha is AFK," they said.

- Ud 1.10 (sort of)
- Peter

Be heedful and you will accomplish your goal.
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acinteyyo
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Re: Is enlightenment possible without a teacher?

Post by acinteyyo »

Hi Stefan,

Ajahn Chah said: "We will come to understand that everything in the world is a teacher."

it may be helpful ;)
best wishes
Thag 1.20. Ajita - I do not fear death; nor do I long for life. I’ll lay down this body, aware and mindful.
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Nibbida
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Re: Is enlightenment possible without a teacher?

Post by Nibbida »

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appicchato
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Re: Is enlightenment possible without a teacher?

Post by appicchato »

Peter wrote:Thus have I heard. At one time the Lord was hosting a web forum at http://www.jeta-wood.savatthi.gov/anathapindika" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Then a devata who was a former blood-relation of Bahiya of the Bark-cloth IM'd Bahiya thus: "Yur no arahant foo. Email [email protected]." Then Bahiya of the Bark-cloth, profoundly stirred by the IM of that devata, then and there departed from http://www.supparaka.gov/seashore" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, stopping only to check his bid for a zafu on eBay. At that time a number of bhikkhus were in chat. "The Buddha is AFK," they said.

- Ud 1.10 (sort of)

Ya got me Peter...I bit... :smile:
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kc2dpt
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Re: Is enlightenment possible without a teacher?

Post by kc2dpt »

Yeah... no one liked my joke. :cry:
- Peter

Be heedful and you will accomplish your goal.
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Prasadachitta
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Re: Is enlightenment possible without a teacher?

Post by Prasadachitta »

You Got a chuckle from me Peter. :lol:

Gabe
"Beautifully taught is the Lord's Dhamma, immediately apparent, timeless, of the nature of a personal invitation, progressive, to be attained by the wise, each for himself." Anguttara Nikaya V.332
mindfullmom
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Re: Is enlightenment possible without a teacher?

Post by mindfullmom »

I thought it was very funny. :rofl:
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kc2dpt
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Re: Is enlightenment possible without a teacher?

Post by kc2dpt »

Thanks! My ego is soothed now. :lol:
- Peter

Be heedful and you will accomplish your goal.
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