Are significant numbers drawn to Buddhism for the promise of immortality in Nibbana?

[rockyysdt]

4 minutes ago, jts-khorat said:

 

Out of the absence of craving follows the absence of Dukkha in a wholly natural, for lack of a better word "automatic" process.

 

This is actually the central tenet of the Buddhavacana, see the Four Noble Truths.

 

 

Thanks for the links.

 

Definitely the absence of Dukkha, but the issue I wanted to address is "during which period does Dukkha become absent?

 

While you live, if you're able to achieve Awakening, then Dhukka becomes absent.

But does that continue once you die?

[jts-khorat]

3 minutes ago, rockyysdt said:

Thanks for the links.

 

Definitely the absence of Dukkha, but the issue I wanted to address is "during which period does Dukkha become absent?

 

While you live, if you're able to achieve Awakening, then Dhukka becomes absent.

But does that continue once you die?

 

In the event of Parinibbana, if Dukkha is absent, what follows is the complete cessation of the five Khandhas (body, perception, conception, volition, and consciousness).

 

I do understand that this becomes increasingly cryptic, if you have not delved deeper into Theravada philosophy, but it cannot be helped, you will need to give yourself a good reading in the basic ideas, or this will be just more word salad for you. Book lists are in one of the previous posts.

 

I have to confess, in totality it is quite complicated, Theravada encompasses a complete, near-scientific theory of reality with basically no parallel in Western thought. The ancient Indians went so far to describe reality as an increasing complex system of factors and perceptions (Abhidhamma) which exist in a state between impermanence and momentariness.

 

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/abhidharma/#TimImpMom

 

You got to start somewhere, Abhidhamma is maybe not the right place though. For most Westerners, it is fully sufficient to read up on Vipassana meditation and some basic ideas like the Eightfold Path etc. This is the starting point for most, and as it allows for immediate start of meditation practice, it is one I would also recommend.

 

In case you are still just wondering in what happens in the event of Parinibbana and how it relates to Nibbana itself, I recommend to you this article from Bikkhu Brahmali:

 

https://journal.equinoxpub.com/BSR/article/view/8891/10347

[connda]

People are drawn to Buddhism because it offers the path to the ending of suffering.

 

On 2/26/2025 at 2:56 PM, rockyysdt said:

If it's not, isn't re birth, with its bouts of suffering, better than cessation of re birth, which suggests annihilation?

Nibbana is not annihilation.  It's non-dualistic, stateless, formless, immeasurable, indescribable. You can approximate it in very deep meditation - i.e., Jhanas. Touch those subtle states and you get a glimpse. Few take the time to make mediation a priority so, they don't validate the experiences subjectively, so they are left with naught but questions. 

Buddha's teaching are sign-posts.  You can validate the teachings through personal experience. You can talk about it forever and never gain any understanding. Buddhism isn't a philosophical discussion - Sila, Samadhi, Panna (Morality and meditation leads to understanding).  No one can validate the truths of the Path but you.

[Cameroni]

4 hours ago, rockyysdt said:

Thanks C.

 

I write to rekindle my path, but also to learn from others.

Thank you for your insights.

 

I tip my hat to you. Quite a journey you've experienced.

Your words help to make sense of my life and validate what has happened to me and what I do and hope to with the remainder of my impermanence..

 

I laughed wholeheartedly at your Zen experiences.

The Japanese know how to cut through to get to the heart, all be it with great suffering.

 

Regarding the stance some have that Awakening is the cessation of suffering due to the quenching of craving, I suspect this might have something to do with letting go of the Self.

You indicated, letting go was one of the hardest things to do in order to achieve that sublime state of being.

It might be possible that believing one will exist in eternal bliss might get in the way of letting go of the Self and thus impede your practice.  👍

 

 

The Zen master in the monastery also laughed at my question if my blissful happiness meant something. He said "It means nothing. But it is a good sign, keep practicing". Then I had to laugh.

 

I suffered in that monastery man. They grew their own vegetables. At first I thought they just can't cook. But then I realised, that was the whole idea, to eat like <deleted>. To let go of your likes and dislikes. Not <deleted>, it was nutritious vegetables they grew themselves. But they made it taste like <deleted>. But thanks to that, what an experience to eat normal food after that.

 

Yes letting go of your likes and dislikes is letting go of yourself. It truly is harder than running a marathon or anything Goggins does. Most people will never be able to do it.

Me included I suspect.

 

The belief of living in eternal bliss would get in the way of practice, if you think of such esoteric things you waste energy on thing that will not help you let go. Exactly right.