(This has been bothering me for some time)Can you attain enlightenment while having a girlfriend?

Question

I just started really getting into your channel and am really interested in Buddhism and I’m a teenager(16)

Answer 1

You can attain, at least, the first stage of enlightenment while being in a relationship but you may have to give up sexual activity during periods of intensive meditation practice.

Answer 2

Having a girlfriend is not conducive to attaining enlightenment. Because it takes a considerable effort and time to maintain a romantic relationship. Lay people are not expected to give up romance in favor of spiritual development. But it is possible to attain enlightenment even as a lay person as long as you walk the noble eightfold path.

Answer 3

Having girlfriend for a lay buddhist is a natural thing. The matter of concern is how is your relationship with her.

If you continue with her keeping precepts then no problem.