+1 vote
by (1.8k points)
Same same but different? Or are we awakening towards enlightenment?
by (1.8k points)
Thank you for that insight.  Sathu.  I am forming a realisation that there is quite a divergence in the way monks In the same Theravada community interpret teachings.  I hear both words ‘Awakening’, and ‘Enlightenment’ And different ideas to that effect.  So is the idea of self non self, awakening, and existence a discussion/debated within the community?
by (730 points)
Sure friend :).

I haven’t seen discussions about it. I think most Theravada monks would be in agreement based on following the same sutta.

Bhante Yuttadhammo has a video on duality, which explains some such  things ,have you seen it?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hOMPOwN_QGE

And also Bhikku Bodhi uses an analogy of a candle lighting another candle. The shape of the candle changes as the flame is passed on ,  the type of wax(fuel) and the wick/thread changes the flame. And let’s say the original flame burns out,  no permanent essence  from the old flame remains in the new flame( there is no permanent self). We cannot say there is nothing there either (non-self). Maybe you hear one monk say there is no self , and another say there is no non-self so it sounds contradictory, but both apply.


 Regards .
by (1.8k points)
thank you for sharing the video/teaching.  It makes sense that to be happy you have to be conscious. :)

1 Answer

0 votes
by (730 points)

I believe those who believe in a self or non-self,  are the ones who usually talk about an awakening. They capture that there is some standard before version of self and an after.

The Lord Buddha teaches  that there is neither a self or a non-self so this sleeping self and awakened self doesn’t quite fit.  There are sutta which explain Buddhas teachings on self, they are long, detailed and rather complex for those who aren’t into intellectual gymnastics ( i  link one if you like).  And there are teachings which say enlightenment is hard to understand for one who isn’t enlightened (not that it is like waking up from a dream.) But ultimately the teachings  highlight that whether or not there is a self or no-self, and the idea of what enlightenment looks like, it doesn’t change that we are suffering right now.   We should not focus our attention on what we could be like in the future ,but on understanding suffering and the end of suffering which is relevant right now, the rest is more or less intellectual distraction.

Here is a sutta about the idea of self and non-self. It is not necessarily to read at all imo, I did find it helpful in regards to overthinking about what we are. Regards :).

https://accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.01.0.bodh.html

by (1.8k points)
Thank you for that insight.  Sathu.  I am forming a realisation that there is quite a divergence in the way monks In the same Theravada community interpret teachings.  I hear both words ‘Awakening’, and ‘Enlightenment’ And different ideas to that effect.  So is the idea of self non self, awakening, and existence a discussion/debated within the community?
by (730 points)
Sure friend :).

I haven’t seen discussions about it. I think most Theravada monks would be in agreement based on following the same sutta.

Bhante Yuttadhammo has a video on duality, which explains some such  things ,have you seen it?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hOMPOwN_QGE

And also Bhikku Bodhi uses an analogy of a candle lighting another candle. The shape of the candle changes as the flame is passed on ,  the type of wax(fuel) and the wick/thread changes the flame. And let’s say the original flame burns out,  no permanent essence  from the old flame remains in the new flame( there is no permanent self). We cannot say there is nothing there either (non-self). Maybe you hear one monk say there is no self , and another say there is no non-self so it sounds contradictory, but both apply.


 Regards .
by (1.8k points)
thank you for sharing the video/teaching.  It makes sense that to be happy you have to be conscious. :)
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