Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Exploring Theravāda's connections to other paths - what can we learn from other traditions, religions and philosophies?
SarathW
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Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Post by SarathW »

According to Buddhist stories, that Buddha descended from the Deva world (heaven) to this earth to attain Nirvana.
Is it possible that we are here for the same reason?
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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tiltbillings
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Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Post by tiltbillings »

SarathW wrote:According to Buddhist stories, that Buddha descended from the Deva world (heaven) to this earth to attain Nirvana.
Is it possible that we are here for the same reason?
Who would determine that?
>> 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
greggorious
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Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Post by greggorious »

Who knows what we're here for. Why don't you practice and find out for yourself :)
"The original heart/mind shines like pure, clear water with the sweetest taste. But if the heart is pure, is our practice over? No, we must not cling even to this purity. We must go beyond all duality, all concepts, all bad, all good, all pure, all impure. We must go beyond self and nonself, beyond birth and death. When we see with the eye of wisdom, we know that the true Buddha is timeless, unborn, unrelated to any body, any history, any image. Buddha is the ground of all being, the realization of the truth of the unmoving mind.” Ajahn Chah
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Polar Bear
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Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Post by Polar Bear »

SarathW wrote:According to Buddhist stories, that Buddha descended from the Deva world (heaven) to this earth to attain Nirvana.
Is it possible that we are here for the same reason?
It is up to you to decide what you are here for. If your goal is nibbana then that is what you're here for. If your goal is to drink copious amounts of irish whiskey then that is what you're here for. If your goal is to have a loving family and raise children then that is what your here for. Your goals are what you're here for. But you get to choose your goals.

:namaste:
"I don't envision a single thing that, when developed & cultivated, leads to such great benefit as the mind. The mind, when developed & cultivated, leads to great benefit."

"I don't envision a single thing that, when undeveloped & uncultivated, brings about such suffering & stress as the mind. The mind, when undeveloped & uncultivated, brings about suffering & stress."
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ground
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Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Post by ground »

SarathW wrote:According to Buddhist stories, that Buddha descended from the Deva world (heaven) to this earth to attain Nirvana.
Is it possible that we are here for the same reason?
All that arises will cease. Reasons qua thoughts arise and will cease too. Also perception of "I", "you" and "we" :sage:
pegembara
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Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Post by pegembara »

:goodpost:
And what is right speech? Abstaining from lying, from divisive speech, from abusive speech, & from idle chatter: This is called right speech.
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BlackBird
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Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Post by BlackBird »

Hi Sarath you asked me where I got my idea that the only purpose in existence is to reach Nibbana. I got it from Ven. Nyanavira. I will endevour to hunt out he passage in question. But honestly, you seem like an intelligent person, if you know our Buddha you will know that he never spoke in favour of continued existence in samsara, Nibbana is the highest goal - The only meaningful purpose. I don't see why this is a point of contention for you, honestly I don't.
"For a disciple who has conviction in the Teacher's message & lives to penetrate it, what accords with the Dhamma is this:
'The Blessed One is the Teacher, I am a disciple. He is the one who knows, not I." - MN. 70 Kitagiri Sutta

Path Press - Ñāṇavīra Thera Dhamma Page - Ajahn Nyanamoli's Dhamma talks
SarathW
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Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Post by SarathW »

Hi BB
I am not in disagreement with you but I just surprise to see someone else came up with the same idea.
I haven’t read or heard about Ven. Nayanvira. Please find me the link.

What I see is that everyone is trying to be happy, from mosquito to human.
We indulge in sensual pleasures, steal, and kill just to be happy without realising that all these happiness is temporary and lead us to more misery.
Unfortunately animal can’t learn Buddha Dhamma. They have to wait until they become human.
Even if you are a human you have to be pretty lucky to learn that from someone.

I was borne to a Buddhist family but I had very little knowledge about Buddhism. So I was looking for the reason of our existence.
So I started studying other religions such as Christianity, Hinduism etc.
One day one of my Islamic friend gave me the copy of Buddha’s Teaching by Narada.
That is the first time I learnt about Anatta. I almost jumped out of the bed because that’s what I was looking for!
I know that my OP is not much help to anyone but I could not resist posting it because I am still seeking happiness from ignorance.
:)
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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BlackBird
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Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Post by BlackBird »

hi Sarath. Ven. Nyanavira was an English monk who ordained in Sri Lanka in the 1950's.

Here is his seminal work:
http://nanavira.org/index.php/notes-on-dhamma

Here is a short bio:
http://nanavira.org/index.php/home/the-author
"For a disciple who has conviction in the Teacher's message & lives to penetrate it, what accords with the Dhamma is this:
'The Blessed One is the Teacher, I am a disciple. He is the one who knows, not I." - MN. 70 Kitagiri Sutta

Path Press - Ñāṇavīra Thera Dhamma Page - Ajahn Nyanamoli's Dhamma talks
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acinteyyo
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Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Post by acinteyyo »

SarathW wrote:According to Buddhist stories, that Buddha descended from the Deva world (heaven) to this earth to attain Nirvana.
Is it possible that we are here for the same reason?
Hi SarathW,
Image
I don't think we are "here" on purpose but it's "intended".
AN 6.63 Nibbedhika Sutta wrote:Intention, I tell you, is kamma. Intending, one does kamma by way of body, speech, & intellect.
MN 135 Cula-kammavibhanga Sutta: The Shorter Analysis of Action wrote:Beings are owners of kamma, heir to kamma, born of kamma, related through kamma, and have kamma as their arbitrator. Kamma is what creates distinctions among beings in terms of coarseness & refinement...
best wishes, acinteyyo
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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reflection
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Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Post by reflection »

Funny cartoon!

I think the need to have a purpose is something created by humans. It's like an emotion or feeling most of us have. But is it -as a matter of speaking- written in the stars? I don't think so.

We are in this earth because we have not yet attained nirvana, that's the way I would put it.
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DNS
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Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Post by DNS »

reflection wrote: I think the need to have a purpose is something created by humans. It's like an emotion or feeling most of us have. But is it -as a matter of speaking- written in the stars? I don't think so.
We are in this earth because we have not yet attained nirvana, that's the way I would put it.
I agree; having meaning and purpose are human inventions. Even if there were some "Creator-being" what would be his (it usually is a he) purpose and reason for even creating us, testing us? Is it all some kind mad scientist experiment? Why can't we all just go to heaven for eternity without all the temptations, the testing? Why do some live to 4 months and die and others to 104?
dagon
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Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Post by dagon »

Please correct me where i am wrong because i am "here" to get answers not to give answers.

My understanding is that i am "here" as a result of grasping that caused caused me to be born in to a cycle of birth, death and suffering and the karma that i have created for myself by exercise the choices in my existences. When i have looked at other belief systems i was looking for some other entity to blame for my condition rather than take responsibility for my own past and present actions. My purpose in life is what i set for myself and that purpose has changed over the years. The purpose i set myself in my younger years was to enjoy by creating illusions of happiness exemplified by using large quantities of intoxicants.

What Buddhas enlighten compassionate teachings have given me is an understanding of why i am here, what is reality and what i can do about it. With some knowledge and a little understanding of the The Four Noble Truths and The Noble Eightfold Path my purpose that i set myself changes again.

Metta
paul
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reflection
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Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Post by reflection »

dagon wrote:Please correct me where i am wrong because i am "here" to get answers not to give answers.

My understanding is that i am "here" as a result of grasping that caused caused me to be born in to a cycle of birth, death and suffering and the karma that i have created for myself by exercise the choices in my existences. When i have looked at other belief systems i was looking for some other entity to blame for my condition rather than take responsibility for my own past and present actions. My purpose in life is what i set for myself and that purpose has changed over the years. The purpose i set myself in my younger years was to enjoy by creating illusions of happiness exemplified by using large quantities of intoxicants.

What Buddhas enlighten compassionate teachings have given me is an understanding of why i am here, what is reality and what i can do about it. With some knowledge and a little understanding of the The Four Noble Truths and The Noble Eightfold Path my purpose that i set myself changes again.

Metta
paul
Hi Paul,

This may be interesting for you to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkamCVD ... 58791FFE43

Have fun!
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Mindstar
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Re: Are we in this earth to attain Nirvana?

Post by Mindstar »

I like to look at it in some sort of impersonal logic.
Lets say reality is some type of computer program that has lots of consciousness processes in it.
But actually none of these consciousness processes have a clue why they actually exist. However because they are able to investigate through meditation practice and have got a good teacher they find out that the only acceptable state to exist in is a state of timeless happiness. But because of how the program has been created this state is not possible. A state of a periodic suffering/happiness duality is not worthwhile to exist in. So what is the logical conclusion? Consciousness processes who have realized these things will simply have an effort to turn themselves off / let everything go, right? How long should one hold onto a hot and scorching bar before he lets go?

Image

Higher than lordship over all earth,
Higher than sojourning in heavens supreme,
Higher than empire over all the worlds,
Is Fruit of Entrance to the Dhamma Stream.
—Dhammapada
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