buddhist hell

[Gjallarhorn]

I hear buddhism has these horrific hells of torture but is this to be taken literally or is it just a metaphor for rebirth as a lower form or lonely afterlife?

Depends on who you ask. Most these days seem to say metaphoric.

 

[willy1590]

Do you think the horrific hell was more of a cultural thing of the times?-with the influence of hinduism and all

 

[Gjallarhorn]

Do you think the horrific hell was more of a cultural thing of the times?-with the influence of hinduism and all

Or an attempt to convey the emotion of the represented state of mind.

 

[willy1590]

so as a pure land buddhist,would i have to believe others will go to hell?(as in the pitchfork,ripping tongues out hell)

 

[The Sum of Awe]

The things that cause dukkha don't end. What happens is that our mental state is completely changed to the point where we no longer are affected by either dukkha, or the things that cause it.

I agree, your mindset always finds dukkha somewhere

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

willy1590, hell in Buddhism is not the same as hell in Christianity. Hell is more about the mind, not the body. Only the human and animal realms really have physical components to them. Hell is about mental anguish, not physical. Also remember it's not about torture and punishment, but purification of unwholesome karma. Just as the heaven realms are not about physical pleasure, but mental, and are a usage of one's wholesome karma. Also remember that they aren't permanent, but eventually one will 'die' there, and be reborn somewhere else.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Thanks for the reply. I stumbled on this issue when I investigated Theravada. It seems to me that it means a person can only save themselves from dukkha. (They can communicate how to do it to others, but it is up to each individual)

This implies individuality which I feel leads to a self.

My impression is that there is a perception of self whilst there is a body-mind organism (it not being real, but co-dependent), so at death no-one dies and that being knows that.

If you agree, then would you agree that it is just annihilation?

I agree to a point with some exception made in light of a reality by which we interact with, and as such is temporary thus illusory, yet it begs the question of what exactly and actually is annihilated if I was to go down that route? That suggests a type of permanence for which Im not sure in light that this type of experience will arise and manifest "again". It's the dynamics of it all. Weither it's annihilation, i guess, is left to how it's approached.

 

[Twilight Hue]

It's confusing because everything in Buddhism starts and ends in the mind. The body is an extension of the mind (my description). So if the mind is healthy, the body is healthy, if the mind is ill then the body can be ill. So if your mind is in a state of hell, the body will likely follow and be unwell and suffer.

Look up psychosomatic online. Psychosomatic is a modern term, my guess is that over 2000 years ago Buddha may have used "realms of hell", an example being alcoholics, who would drink to get drunk mentally, but their bodies would suffer likewise due to alcohol and mental suffering.

If I understand what you are saying you are correct. Buddhism is more than mind. We tend to differentiate when in fact mind and body are interconnected.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Can I ask you guys to specify what you mean by Rebirth I don't fully grasp that yet. I'm going to guess it's a metaphoric way of saying changing mindsets and opinions? Or possibly reverting out of happiness into sadness?

 

[Gjallarhorn]

Can I ask you guys to specify what you mean by Rebirth I don't fully grasp that yet. I'm going to guess it's a metaphoric way of saying changing mindsets and opinions? Or possibly reverting out of happiness into sadness?

Yes. :angel2:

The Buddha asked a Shramana, "How long is the human life span?" He replied, "A few days." The Buddha said, "You have not yet understood the Way."

He asked another Shramana, "How long is the human life span?" The reply was, "The space of a meal." The Buddha said, "You have not yet understood the Way."

He asked another Shramana, "How long is the human life span?" He replied, "The length of a single breath." The Buddha said, "Excellent. You have understood the Way."

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Yes. :angel2:

Which one?

 

[The Sum of Awe]

I'm not a Buddhist just realized this is same faith... just asking questions. Sorry mods.

-kisses mods feet- don't hurt me

 

[Gjallarhorn]

Which one?

Both. Rebirth is alternating between states of mind, including going from happy to sad, sad to happy.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Both. Rebirth is alternating between states of mind, including going from happy to sad, sad to happy.

Oh I see. Would you say you can have rebirth and dukkha in dreams? Is there a buddhist solution to nightmares? Can you really be enlightened in your subconscious?

 

[Gjallarhorn]

Oh I see. Would you say you can have rebirth and dukkha in dreams? Is there a buddhist solution to nightmares? Can you really be enlightened in your subconscious?

I would say I'm most enlightened in my dreams. At least, it's the place where I practice the most equanimity.

 

[Onkara]

I agree to a point with some exception made in light of a reality by which we interact with, and as such is temporary thus illusory, yet it begs the question of what exactly and actually is annihilated if I was to go down that route? That suggests a type of permanence for which Im not sure in light that this type of experience will arise and manifest "again". It's the dynamics of it all. Weither it's annihilation, i guess, is left to how it's approached.

It's an interesting topic, thanks for the reply

If I understand what you are saying you are correct. Buddhism is more than mind. We tend to differentiate when in fact mind and body are interconnected.

My understanding is that the mind and body are joint through karma (which is ultimately due to craving). Birth takes place due to karma, so I have a body due to karma. If during this life time I bring craving to an end, there will be no new karma and hence no new body when I die (no rebirth). The body is just food and DNA etc. What is provoking birth of a body is karma. Karma resides in the mind. Mind is that which needs to end craving and end new karma. So everything starts and ends based on the mind. Mind is the seat on which everything else depends.

I am using mind, but we could be more specific in terms. I hope that comes across as I intend, feel free to say if you disagree or the wording isn't clear?

 

[crossfire]

The Thirty-One Planes of Existance

I picture a preta (Sanskrit)/peta (Pali) as a being with an unquenchable addiction. I see plenty of peta-types here in this realm.

 

[Onkara]

The Thirty-One Planes of Existance

I picture a preta (Sanskrit)/peta (Pali) as a being with an unquenchable addiction. I see plenty of peta-types here in this realm.

Hi Crossfire
That is a good find, thanks for sharing. I agree, the peta-type is probably more common as we live in a world with a focus on consumerism and pleasure as ways to go against dukkha or boredom.

In my view, the material realm remains the same, what changes in the mental or psychological realm. Which is why we can move from realms during this life and end Dukkha. I mention that because I think if the realms were physical then there would be no hope but a physical death. Thoughts anyone?

 

[Konjim]

Buddhism Hell Give you punishment for your bad work that you do in your life . or after your death God give you punishment for your bad activity that you did in your life ,

any suggestion i wellcome about Buddhism Hell

 

[willy1590]

if i killed loads of people then died would i be tortured or given mental anguish?