RajputMaster24
Member
Dear friends, Is the goal of Buddhism spiritual development to the point of Arahanthood?
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Goal of Buddhism
- Thread starter RajputMaster24
- Start date
My understanding (Buddhists please correct me if wrong please) is that the goal of Buddhism is release from samsara to reach nibbana (unconditioned state). Samsara refers to the conditioned cycle of birth and rebirth. Release from it can only occur through following the Noble Eightfold Path and having meditative insight into the Four Noble Truths and the "three marks of existence" = impermanence, the reality of suffering caused by cravings and not-self. The goal is indeed to become an arhant (enlightened, liberated person). Key concepts in all of this are non-attachment, not-self, dependant origination etc
I am not a Buddhist so my understanding may be fallible but that's what I believe the goal to be.
I am not a Buddhist so my understanding may be fallible but that's what I believe the goal to be.
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I would say 'Yes'. I think the goal is to gain enlightenment and that there are many words in the Dharmic world for the same thing.
Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
Unless someone corrects me as well, but the bare bones of Buddhism is complete understanding of the nature of life through human suffering and workings of the mind. The goal is to help relieve people of suffering (as so did The Buddha) and hence stop rebirth and attachment.
I dont know much of Theravada, but I think being an Arat is in that school. In Mahayana, people strive to be Bodhisattvas and end suffering of others (by teaching them to help themselves) before we focus on our own suffering.
Many schools focus on ending rebirth in future tense. The school I practice with from time to time focus on ending rebirth in present.
However, I think a arat is a priest or someone similar. He has a different role than a boddhisattva. Id have to look up in The Sutras when I get back.
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Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
What goal?
metis
aged ecumenical anthropologist
Well said.
The irony is that dharma teaches many concepts that I have found to be so valuable, several of which you mention above. Over the years of studying dharma, I would stop and think so many times something like "Dah! Why didn't I think of that because it's so logical?!". But then, I'm a rather slow learner.
This is one of my favorite suttas, as it is short, sweet, and to the point: to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to calm, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, to Unbinding (liberation.)
Simsapa Sutta: The Simsapa Leaves
Once the Blessed One was staying at [1] forest. Then, picking up a few simsapa leaves with his hand, he asked the monks, "What do you think, monks: Which are more numerous, the few simsapa leaves in my hand or those overhead in the simsapa forest?"
"The leaves in the hand of the Blessed One are few in number, lord. Those overhead in the simsapa forest are more numerous."
"In the same way, monks, those things that I have known with direct knowledge but have not taught are far more numerous [than what I have taught]. And why haven't I taught them? Because they are not connected with the goal, do not relate to the rudiments of the holy life, and do not lead to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to calm, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, to Unbinding. That is why I have not taught them.
"And what have I taught? 'This is stress... This is the origination of stress... This is the cessation of stress... This is the path of practice leading to the cessation of stress': This is what I have taught. And why have I taught these things? Because they are connected with the goal, relate to the rudiments of the holy life, and lead to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to calm, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, to Unbinding. This is why I have taught them.
"Therefore your duty is the contemplation, 'This is stress... This is the origination of stress... This is the cessation of stress.' Your duty is the contemplation, 'This is the path of practice leading to the cessation of stress.'"
If you want a more detailed explanation: see this sutta:
Maha-Assapura Sutta
Simsapa Sutta: The Simsapa Leaves
Once the Blessed One was staying at [1] forest. Then, picking up a few simsapa leaves with his hand, he asked the monks, "What do you think, monks: Which are more numerous, the few simsapa leaves in my hand or those overhead in the simsapa forest?"
"The leaves in the hand of the Blessed One are few in number, lord. Those overhead in the simsapa forest are more numerous."
"In the same way, monks, those things that I have known with direct knowledge but have not taught are far more numerous [than what I have taught]. And why haven't I taught them? Because they are not connected with the goal, do not relate to the rudiments of the holy life, and do not lead to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to calm, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, to Unbinding. That is why I have not taught them.
"And what have I taught? 'This is stress... This is the origination of stress... This is the cessation of stress... This is the path of practice leading to the cessation of stress': This is what I have taught. And why have I taught these things? Because they are connected with the goal, relate to the rudiments of the holy life, and lead to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to calm, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, to Unbinding. This is why I have taught them.
"Therefore your duty is the contemplation, 'This is stress... This is the origination of stress... This is the cessation of stress.' Your duty is the contemplation, 'This is the path of practice leading to the cessation of stress.'"
If you want a more detailed explanation: see this sutta:
Maha-Assapura Sutta