Buddhist believes that when one reaches enlightenment they have gotten rid of all suffering around them. The understanding is when one has gotten rid of distractions in life such as lust, arrogance, ignorance and other elements mentioned as a part of the ten fetters which prevent enlightenment, one is enlightened. The image above is usually what comes to mind when I think of Buddhist. I imagine someone who is in a state of bliss most of the time and is attempting to become thoughtless. I also think they are using meditation as a way to avoid the world around them. Although enlightenment is the goal of meditation, it takes time to achieve it. Therefore, I think meditation is used as a temporary escape route.
In the picture above the man is emptying trash out of his head. While one can temporarily take a moment to focus on the positive, I think the picture is giving the message that the way to enlightenment is to get rid of all thoughts and one would instantly become happy. Brad Warner said in his book, Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate that there is no instant way to enlightenment. He contradicted the stereotype by saying “…No amount of enlightenment will eliminate stress and tension from your life…The only technique in Zen is learning how not to add to existing tension” (190). I agree with Warner. One cannot undo the event and make it not happen at all. As a result we should deal with it in the best way to make the situation better. Some people may claim to reach enlightenment but at the end of the day if they still live a life that involves interacting with others and they will still experience things that may add tension in their life. Warner enforces this stereotype by the experiences that happened in his life. He lost his job, his mother and grandmother died and his marriage ended. Although all of these things happened to him he did not try to escape the reality. He dealt with it. Warner even mentioned his grandfather’s death and said that he did not reincarnate or go to heaven or hell. He said he still alive but only in his memories.
source for the pic used!!
I agree with you and Warner's statement that enlightenment won't wash away all your problems and make your life 100% better. You just have to deal with your life however you can and be the best person you can be.
ReplyDeleteI'm Buddhist and I don't consider myself that religious. After learning about the religion, I've retained a lot more than I thought I would. I don't practice meditation or praying like the hardcore Buddhists, only when I go to the temple, which has been years. I guess the only main thing I do that pertains to Buddhism is try to keep tension away from me and live more in the present without worrying too much about the past and future. Enlightenment sounds like it's very difficult to fulfill.
I like your picture and your post - I have a lot to say about both. I agree with you on many things you said but also have a little different approach to it. The picture is a very interesting way of displaying Buddhism. I saw it and thought, "how clever". Although it is an American stereotype it still takes aspects of Buddhism and brings a clever and fun feel to it. Also the part you were saying about stress and things happening to the individual: this is my opinion - everyone has different life situations - and those are not the important aspects of life. Shit can happen all the time to someone and not bother him or her and one thing can happen to someone and they freak the hell out. What I'm getting at is that circumstances don't matter, they just don't, and that is because the only thing that matters is a state of being. We have the choice to react in anyway possible, so why not (like you said) accept what happened and move on - there is always something better on the way. :) – maybe a little off topic but good stuff.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback!! Toulaphone, I agree with you. Enlightenment does sound very hard to achieve. When I think about trying to achieve it my head starts to hurt lol...Sara, you couldn't have put it better "S**t happens!!"
ReplyDeletei liked the picture that is chosen for you blog assignment. it somewhat depicts what Americans see Buddhists as. and its true that Buddhists are seen as blissful and calm. i thought this cartoon was actually pretty hilarious. For meditation one needs focus and concentration, meaning that one has to empty the trash, as the other person said, on order to achieve enlightenment.removing yourself from all attachments and emotions will help you focus.
ReplyDeleteThere is a stereotype that people think when monks are calm and stress free; they are just relaxed people. This is false they may be calm while meditating but that doesn't mean they are always relaxed. I don't think its possible to rid your self of all the trash. Warner also admitted to cheating, smoking pot, and watching porn.
ReplyDeleteJuhi I ageree. Although some choose to meditate to have calm moments, in my opinion its only temporary. Look at the world we live in. Its full of chaos and ignoring it as if things are not happening is denying reality. I appreciate your feedback :)
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