Clearing up Misconceptions about Buddhism

[Kyfer]

First of all, I'd like to note that I do not hold any authority on the subject of Buddhism. But living in a Malaysia where we're culturally, religiously and ethnically well diversified, I can see things more objectively.

Culturally I'm a Buddhist, so am I spiritually.
I don't see it as a religion, But most Buddhist do.
I do not follow the religious disciplines strictly as most "Buddhists" do, but rather I study into it's teaching in great depth.

I'd like to create this thread because I see many posts that talks about Buddhism and enlightenment doesn't come close to the real teachings of Buddhism.

I'll use terms that an ordinary English-literate man can comprehend.
Bare in mind that the terms can be for explanation's sake and of no exact reference to other texts.


First of all, is the idea of "Life is suffering"
This is a matter of translation limit.
Buddha preached that life is "Dukkha", which later translates to many non Pali languages as suffering.
"Dukkha" is a word arose from a spiritually advanced society of India.
There is almost no other language that has the word that can depicts the idea of "Dukkha", thus most languages just translate it to suffering.

In essence, "Dukkha" is the antonym for "ever-blessing".
Meaning, the fact that life is not ever-blessing.

This comes from the law of nature that is "ever-changing"
Better known as the nature of the universe of "impermanence"
In reality, nothing is permanent, except the fact that everything is impermanent is permanent.

Life is Dukkha because of the ignorance of this nature of Impermanence.

There are 3 types of Dukkha's:
Suffering's Dukkha
Bad Dukkha, and
Soon Dukkha.

Suffering's Dukkha means literally suffering, where you really suffer pain physically, emotionally etc.
Bad Dukkha means you enjoy now, but because of things of impermanent nature, you're eventually going to suffer when the things that makes you feel good fades away.
Soon Dukkha means that you're not particularly suffering nor enjoying, just okay okay, but because of the fact that things will change, at some point you will suffer.

This is what Buddha meant when he said "Life is Dukkha".
Not what most people, even many Buddhists misunderstood.

Life is not "suffering" literally, Buddha never preached that.
Life is Dukkha, and is so because of the impermanence nature of the universe.


Secondly, is the misconception of enlightenment = feeling good.

Enlightenment is far beyond just feeling good.
Buddha sees both feeling good and feeling bad are pointless in a long run.

It doesn't matter if it's feeling good or feeling bad, as long as you're attached to it, you fell to the trap!

Attachments means you're either craving for more of good feelings or you're having aversion of bad feelings.
Attachment to your feelings is the reason for non-enlightenment.

Detachment from the feelings, meaning you won't let the your feeling blinds you from the true fact of impermanence, is the path to enlightenment.

It's the state of 'I don't bother anymore', I'm just the observer.
I observe the surroundings, I observe what the surroundings do to my feelings, and I observe the law of impermanence.
I don't bother because I just observe.

When you become the ultimate observer of yourself, your life and your world, whilst not let any of your observation bother you, you're enlighten.


Hopefully my post will enlighten you who're attracted into this post


With Metta,
Kakyn.

[My1eden]

Real good post Kakyn. I have dabbled for year in buddhism and have learned from your post. The rational interpretation of dukkha that you offered is much appreciated. Detachment and impermanence are the key IMO. Thank you for your post.
Love,
Richard

[Kishimasan]

Thank you very much.
I just want to say, if you want to practise the Abraham Teachnings you will have no difficulties to integrate your knowledge and wisdom of Buddhism. In the Vortex you are in a very high frequency of Divine Awareness and The Buddha is there too.

With love and peace and joy

Kishimasan

[Marc]

There are many different paths out there, each of them equally valid. That said, we're here to discuss the teachings of Abraham and how we use them in our lives. As this thread isn't relevant to that topic, this thread is closed.