Question about Buddhism

[Spiderman]

So if one does not believe in a deity, what is it exactly that takes place during meditation that causes enlightenment and Awakening?

I was just wondering what it is about meditation that produces these results, if there's not another entity involved.

 

[sayak83]

So if one does not believe in a deity, what is it exactly that takes place during meditation that causes enlightenment and Awakening?

I was just wondering what it is about meditation that produces these results, if there's not another entity involved.
View attachment 19082

Through practice one eliminates false perceptions and gets a clear view of reality and oneself.

 

[Spiderman]

Through practice one eliminates false perceptions and gets a clear view of reality and oneself.

Now Buddha starved himself a lot and practiced severe asceticism... What is it about those practices that increases the opportunities for enlightenment?

 

[Spiderman]

Now Buddha starved himself a lot and practiced severe asceticism... What is it about those practices that increases the opportunities for enlightenment?

Other than growing in self-discipline of course

 

[YmirGF]

Through practice one eliminates false perceptions and gets a clear view of reality and oneself.

Agreed. There is no magic formula. It's more like physical exercise, really. If anything, you learn to focus on what you see rather than what you expect to see.

 

[Sanzbir]

Now Buddha starved himself a lot and practiced severe asceticism... What is it about those practices that increases the opportunities for enlightenment?

Gautama Buddha only did that at first, before his enlightenment, but later rejected severe fasting and the like in favor of a "Middle Way".

 

[sayak83]

Now Buddha starved himself a lot and practiced severe asceticism... What is it about those practices that increases the opportunities for enlightenment?

He categorically stated that both extreme privation as well as luxury is a hindrance to Buddhist path. He found practice of starvation and severe asceticism as counterproductive.

 

[crossfire]

So if one does not believe in a deity, what is it exactly that takes place during meditation that causes enlightenment and Awakening?

I was just wondering what it is about meditation that produces these results, if there's not another entity involved.
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You become your own coach, your own psychologist, and your own healer.
from Dhammapada 3

42. Whatever harm an enemy may do to an enemy, or a hater to a hater, an ill-directed mind inflicts on oneself a greater harm.

43. Neither mother, father, nor any other relative can do one greater good than one's own well-directed mind.​

 

[Spiderman]

You become your own coach, your own psychologist, and your own healer.

Nice! I like that!

 

[LuisDantas]

So if one does not believe in a deity, what is it exactly that takes place during meditation that causes enlightenment and Awakening?

The same that happens if one beliefs in a deity, I would expect: training of the mind for various effects, starting with the ability to keep both attention and peace of mind at once. Another popular effect is the ability to keep aware of the reality and dignity of other people's feelings and situations.

I was just wondering what it is about meditation that produces these results, if there's not another entity involved.

I very much doubt it. Then again, Buddhism does not really acknowledge the existence of separate entities as such.

 

[LuisDantas]

Now Buddha starved himself a lot and practiced severe asceticism...

And then he realized that such was not the way and began to develop his Dharma. It is a classic tale.

What is it about those practices that increases the opportunities for enlightenment?

You should probably ask someone who encourages ascepticism. Buddhism does not.

 

[Spiderman]

And then he realized that such was not the way and began to develop his Dharma. It is a classic tale.


You should probably ask someone who encourages ascepticism. Buddhism does not.

At the time of his Enlightenment wasn't he nearly starved to death, according to tradition?

If so, it makes me wonder if maybe the fact that he was starving contributed to his Awakening.

 

[LuisDantas]

At the time of his Enlightenment wasn't he nearly starved to death, according to tradition?

So the tale goes. He had received gentle attention and some food from a lady and realized that starving was not the way. Or, at least, not his way.

If so, it makes me wonder if maybe the fact that he was starving contributed to his Awakening.

Considering that he taught against doing it, apparently not.

 

[Sanzbir]

Considering that he taught against doing it, apparently not.

Well, I mean, in a sense he might not have come to the conclusion of the Middle Way had he not experienced both extremes firsthand.

So by allowing him to realize aesthetic life was not the path to enlightenment, in that way aesthetic living led him to enlightenment.

 

[Twilight Hue]

So if one does not believe in a deity, what is it exactly that takes place during meditation that causes enlightenment and Awakening?

I was just wondering what it is about meditation that produces these results, if there's not another entity involved.
View attachment 19082

The actual truth of the matter comes out when you're quiet.

 

[Spiderman]

The actual truth of the matter comes out when you're quiet.

 

[Mark Dohle]

So if one does not believe in a deity, what is it exactly that takes place during meditation that causes enlightenment and Awakening?

I was just wondering what it is about meditation that produces these results if there's not another entity involved.
View attachment 19082

The Buddha did not deal with the question about God, or gods. I do not believe Buddhism is 'atheistic', in the western sense of the term. They do have the concept of communion with and having compassion for all sentients beings. Also, the 'no self' they talk about is not nihilism, but a place where all passions are blown out, all false self-identification dissolved until what is left is 'nirvana, bliss'. If Buddhism was a religion striving for nonexitence in the western sense of the term, then all they would need do is to kill oneself.

Whatever reincarnates, is a continuation of a process, the no-self, is something real for them, like saying God is 'no-thing', points to Infinite potential.

However, being a Westerner and a Christian, I am sure I miss a lot and could be wrong (well I probably am) in my thoughts on the matter. I love to read Buddhist writers, they help in dealing with thoughts that just ramble, they help me to learn how to unknot.......For me, Buddhism is a help in growing in understanding of my own faith path. I do believe we are closer than we believe, especially in seeking to have compassion for all sentient beings.

Peace
Mark

 

[MonkeyFire]

So if one does not believe in a deity, what is it exactly that takes place during meditation that causes enlightenment and Awakening?

I was just wondering what it is about meditation that produces these results, if there's not another entity involved.

There are entities in Buddhism called devas, and a devil of rebirth and desire named Yama. The point of meditation is happiness.

 

[sayak83]

There are entities in Buddhism called devas, and a devil of rebirth and desire named Yama. The point of meditation is happiness.

Not Yama. It's Mara. A personification of Maya.