A few questions on Buddhism (mystic, reincarnation, beliefs, experience)

[Phasmid]

This is in no way a criticism or an attempt to slander the religion... these are just questions that came up in my head. If my questions contain ignorance of certain beliefs/practices, then please respectfully correct me.

Okay then!

1) Do all Buddhists believe in reincarnation?

2) What physically happens when you become 'enlightened'? I'm having trouble picturing it. Is it like a lightbulb turns on in your head and the universe thinks, "Right, let's keep tabs on the glowing guy and remember to bring him back as an extremely handsome athlete in his next life"? Is it becomming aware of the 'truth' and going onto the next life instantly while your body dies or goes on living without 'you' inside it?

I'm just wondering these things because most religions are hard to accept because of their supernatural claims. It seems that Buddhism is largely over-looked in this department. I just can't see how suddenly realising something, will effect the universe in such a way, that it will bring you back as another living thing in a state proportional to your good (or bad) deeds in this life.

[MysticSang'ha]

Originally Posted by Phasmid

This is in no way a criticism or an attempt to slander the religion... these are just questions that came up in my head. If my questions contain ignorance of certain beliefs/practices, then please respectfully correct me.

I'll do my best.

Originally Posted by Phasmid

Okay then!

1) Do all Buddhists believe in reincarnation?

The preferred term is "rebirth" since there isn't any intrinsic "self" that continues on and on and on......the image of a candle lighting another candle is a good one to explain how Buddhists generally think of rebirth. When I die, this MysticSang'ha will cease to be, as the MysticSang'ha of 1 year ago ceased to be, as the MysticSang'ha of 1 month ago has ceased to be. But with every ending, there is a new beginning. The core "Dharma seals" of no-self and impermanence is the very backbone to Buddhists confidence in the cycle of birth-death-rebirth.

Originally Posted by Phasmid

2) What physically happens when you become 'enlightened'? I'm having trouble picturing it. Is it like a lightbulb turns on in your head and the universe thinks, "Right, let's keep tabs on the glowing guy and remember to bring him back as an extremely handsome athlete in his next life"? Is it becomming aware of the 'truth' and going onto the next life instantly while your body dies or goes on living without 'you' inside it?

I have trouble picturing it, too. But I can say that it isn't the universe that makes the decision to bring back an enlightened being.......it is solely up to the individual. And different schools of Buddhism emphasize on the varying teachings of nirvana and paranirvana - the former is a complete awakening to all the phenomena while remaining in this phenomenal world, and the latter is the complete awakening where the phenomenal world is competely transcended and one ceases to exist.

Originally Posted by Phasmid

I'm just wondering these things because most religions are hard to accept because of their supernatural claims. It seems that Buddhism is largely over-looked in this department. I just can't see how suddenly realising something, will effect the universe in such a way, that it will bring you back as another living thing in a state proportional to your good (or bad) deeds in this life.

Okay.




Peace,
Mystic

[Phasmid]

Thanks for the replies, MysticSang'ha.

[MysticSang'ha]

Were they helpful in any way?




Peace,
Mystic

[TurkeyOnRye]

A lot of modern Buddhists take a much less supernatural look at the idea of enlightenment. If you read The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, you can get a very complete overview of the concept and learn that it is not the sole property of Buddhists. I believe enlightenment to be a purely psychological event. There isn't much question about whether or not enlightenment is something that we can aspire to attain. There are people who are enlightened. It's just a matter of what you attribute it to.

[Scarlett Wampus]

Phasmid, different Buddhists would answer those two questions differently. As for what would seem supernatural ideas, again, you'll find a great deal of variation.

Personally I don't find any supernatural elements to Buddhism as I take it, but I'm not very knowledgeable or experienced. Maybe in time I'll come to believe something that would seem supernatural. Not right now though.

Originally Posted by TurkeyOnRye

A lot of modern Buddhists take a much less supernatural look at the idea of enlightenment. If you read The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, you can get a very complete overview of the concept and learn that it is not the sole property of Buddhists. I believe enlightenment to be a purely psychological event. There isn't much question about whether or not enlightenment is something that we can aspire to attain. There are people who are enlightened. It's just a matter of what you attribute it to.

A very complete overview? Well I guess Eckhart Tolle does present a framework that attempts to be complete and it is a very good one in my opinion but there are so so many more very good frameworks to consider. For instance, if you like the psychological perspective try Buddhist Psychology by Caroline Brazier as well.

[TurkeyOnRye]

Originally Posted by Scarlett Wampus

Phasmid, different Buddhists would answer those two questions differently. As for what would seem supernatural ideas, again, you'll find a great deal of variation.

Personally I don't find any supernatural elements to Buddhism as I take it, but I'm not very knowledgeable or experienced. Maybe in time I'll come to believe something that would seem supernatural. Not right now though.


A very complete overview? Well I guess Eckhart Tolle does present a framework that attempts to be complete and it is a very good one in my opinion but there are so so many more very good frameworks to consider. For instance, if you like the psychological perspective try Buddhist Psychology by Caroline Brazier as well.

Well...as complete as you can get without experiencing it yourself, of course. I would definitely agree that telling someone about enlightenment is a far, far cry from understanding/feeling it unless you've had an awakening experience yourself. No work of writing would ever be complete.

Thank you for the book recommendation! I might just pick that up.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by TurkeyOnRye

A lot of modern Buddhists take a much less supernatural look at the idea of enlightenment.

Modern? A lot of Western Buddhists. I hear repeatedly from many (not all) Western Buddhists the claim that Buddhism, unlike the Abrahmic faiths, is devoid of supernaturalism and "superstition." And then I look at my relatives practicing Buddhism and it doesn't look any less supernatural than most religions to me. Since they are living in the same time frame, I take issue with the idea that Eastern Buddhists are somehow less "modern."