To me the Gnostic ideas of searching for your spiritual Gnosis,seems to me to hold definite similarities to the Buddist ideas of searching for enlightment,also the Buddha taught that excistence is suffering and I know although I don't agree with this that,historically some Gnostic sects believed the material world was evil or even hell itself.What are your opinions as fellow Gnostics on this.
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Gnosticism and Buddhism
- Thread starter NuGnostic
- Start date
Engyo
Prince of Dorkness!
As I posted to Scarlett in another thread, "dukkha" can mean many things besides the english "suffering". Here is a link to the post:NuGnostic said:
http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=322588#post322588 Post #7
I hope this helps; to simply say that "existence is suffering" in english does not cover teh subject anywhere nearly enough.
To further illustrate this point, I'd like to mention that the almost proverbial Pali-English Dictionary uses two full pages (out of some 700) to explain "dukkha". It can be applied to most everythng disagreeable, from torture through the loss of a loved one or mere absence from one's love to the discomfort caused by gnat bites. But obviously, its meanings are too profound to cover in a few words. Accordingly, many writers don't translate it but use "dukkha".Engyo said:
Hello, everyone! I've only been a member since yesterday. *waves*
I'd like to echo what others have been saying about the misinterpretation of dukkha. One might also venture to say that even boredom, complacency, or confusion might fit into this category. "Suffering" is often times inferred to be placed in the extreme emotional spectrum, but it is fundamentally seen as an obstacle to the Pure Light. Dukkha covers a much broader range of experience, and it is the first of the Four Noble Truths. Yet, you are still free to disagree with the Buddha's teachings. No harm done by disagreeing.
Of course, I am still learning, too, despite having studied Buddhism for over ten years.
On topic: I see varying similarites between Gnosticism and Buddhism (however, one must remember that there are varying belief systems within each of these schools, too - there are marked differences between, say, Nichiren and Zen Buddhism).........that the goal is to be liberated from the "wheel" of samsara. At least in sanskrit terms. I've only studied briefly Sophian Gnosticism, so I can't with confidence state clearly the similarities and differences, but I do see somewhat of a thread between the two.
I like this forum. Take care, everyone.
Peace,
Mystic
I'd like to echo what others have been saying about the misinterpretation of dukkha. One might also venture to say that even boredom, complacency, or confusion might fit into this category. "Suffering" is often times inferred to be placed in the extreme emotional spectrum, but it is fundamentally seen as an obstacle to the Pure Light. Dukkha covers a much broader range of experience, and it is the first of the Four Noble Truths. Yet, you are still free to disagree with the Buddha's teachings. No harm done by disagreeing.
Of course, I am still learning, too, despite having studied Buddhism for over ten years.
On topic: I see varying similarites between Gnosticism and Buddhism (however, one must remember that there are varying belief systems within each of these schools, too - there are marked differences between, say, Nichiren and Zen Buddhism).........that the goal is to be liberated from the "wheel" of samsara. At least in sanskrit terms. I've only studied briefly Sophian Gnosticism, so I can't with confidence state clearly the similarities and differences, but I do see somewhat of a thread between the two.
I like this forum. Take care, everyone.
Peace,
Mystic
