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Author
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Topic: Is Buddha a pessimist?
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Mannu
Knowflake Posts: 2764
From:
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted August 05, 2006 12:22 AM
 
Apparently not as the following extract will show:From the assertion that his philosophy and teachings were nothing but suffering and misery, the implication is that the Buddha himself was miserable and unhappy. Nothing could be further from the truth. As a perfectly Enlightened One, the Buddha had come out of all the miseries of the world, and lived a life full of contentment and infinite happiness in every situation. To others also he gave nothing but happiness.
The Buddha was always happy
Once he was sleeping on a bed of dry leaves fallen from a tree on a cattle path in Alavi. At that time an Alavaka prince named Hatthaka had set out for a stroll. When he saw the Buddha, he asked, "Venerable sir, did you sleep happily?"
The Buddha replied, "Yes, young man, I slept well. I am one of those people in the world who sleep happily."
To this Hatthaka said, "This is a cold autumn night, the season of snowfall. The hooves of cows have made the land coarse and uneven. The bed of leaves is thin. There are very few leaves on the tree. A cold wind is blowing from all directions and you have but tattered clothes on you. How could you sleep happily?"
The Buddha replied, "A householder or a son of a householder sleeps in a proper house on a soft bed with pillows and blankets. However, the fire of craving for sensual pleasure may be burning inside him. In that case, smouldering in the heat of desire, he sleeps in misery. A Buddha has extinguished all his craving-destroyed it, uprooted it, put an end to it forever, like the severed trunk of a palm tree, from which new leaves cannot grow. Craving does not exist in the Buddha. It cannot arise in a Buddha. The Buddha is an arahat. An arahat always sleeps happily."
A similar incident:
When Anathapindika went to see the Buddha in Rajagaha for the first time it was very late in the night. The Buddha was taking a walk in the open. Anathapindika asked him,
"Venerable sir, Exalted One, did you sleep happily?"
The Buddha replied:
quote:
Sabbada ve sukham seti, brahmano parinibbuto;
Yo na limpati kamesu, sitibhuto nirupadhi.
Detached and dissociated from all sensual cravings and cooled, the brahmana (arahat) having experienced nibbana always sleeps happily.
Then he added-
quote:
Sabba asattiyo chetva, vineyya hadaye daram;
Upasanto sukham seti, santim pappuyya cetasa.
Having destroyed all desire, having removed fear from the heart, having acquired true peace of mind, a liberated detached arahat indeed sleeps happily.
Not only arahats, every follower of Dhamma sleeps happily. Therefore it is said:
quote:
Dhammacari sukham seti.
A practitioner of Dhamma sleeps happily.
Ascetics who have renounced the worldly life and are steadfast on the path of Dhamma always sleep happily: quote:
sukham supanti muniyo.
Everyone whose mind vibrates with the thrilling rapture of Dhamma certainly sleeps happily: quote:
Dhammapiti sukham seti, vippasannena cetasa.
Well contented with the ambrosia of Dhamma (one) always sleeps happily: sukhito dhammarasena tappito.
A Buddha is dhammabhuto (Dhamma personified), brahmabhuto (brahma personified); completely cooled. He always sleeps happily. All the arahats who followed his teaching and attained liberation achieved happiness.
One more example:
Bhaddiya was from the Sakyan royal family. He was ordained by the Buddha. He often uttered the words "Aho sukha, aho sukha!" ("O happiness, O happiness!") spontaneously under the shade of a tree or in the darkness of his meditation cell.
The Buddha called him and asked him, "Bhaddiya, why do you utter these joyous words?"
Bhaddiya answered, "Venerable sir, earlier when I was a king, the royal guards were constantly near me-whether I was in my private chambers or outside; in the city or outside its limits; in the district or beyond the district. Venerable sir, I lived hidden behind these guards with constant fear and worry in my mind. On the other hand, I now live alone in the jungle, at the root of a tree or in a cell, serene, always free from fear, free from doubt, not craving anything, peaceful and trusting in mind, satisfied with whatever I get through alms. Venerable sir, observing this change in me, I utter these words of joy: "Aho sukha, aho sukha!"
A disciple of the Buddha always dwells happy.
quote:
Adahyamanena kayena, adahyamanena cetasa;
Diva va yadi va rattim, sukham viharati tadiso.
He experiences the burning of sensual craving in neither mind nor body. Thus, day and night he lives happily.
Arahat bhikkhu Angulimala proclaimed:
quote:
Sukham sayami thayami, sukham kappemi jivitam;
Ahatthapaso marassa, aho satthanukampito.
I sleep happily, dwell happily and spend my life in happiness. I am free from the bondage of death. Ah, this happened because of the Lord's compassion!
As long as there is the burning of craving or anger, there is no happiness. One lives a happy life only after gaining liberation from craving and anger. Anyone who generates anger becomes miserable. But with the practice of Vipassana as taught by the Buddha, the same person-
quote:
Kodham chetva sukham seti, kodham chetva na socati.
Having put an end to anger, sleeps happily; having put an end to anger, lives without grief.
Eternal happiness of nibbana
Harita was a bhikkhu who had gone forth from a Brahmin clan of Savatthi. These are his delightful words upon attaining liberation -
quote:
Susukham vata nibbanam, sammasambuddhadesitam;
Asokam virajam khemam, yattha dukkham nirujjhati.
Indeed, the nibbana taught by the Perfectly Enlightened One is ultimate happiness. It is without grief, without blemish, secure. All miseries completely end there.
Joyful path to true happiness
Aggika Bharadvaja, a Brahmin from Ukattha, was a worshipper of fire. He used to undergo severe penances in the jungle by torturing his body. After coming in contact with the Buddha, he learned Vipassana. And after practice of the technique for a few days, he became liberated and attained the stage of arahat. When friends asked him about it, he replied,
quote:
Yam sukhena sukham laddham,
passa dhammasudhammatam;
Tisso vijja anupatta,
katam buddhassa sasanam.
(Leaving the path of torture) I have attained (the ultimate) happiness (of nibbana) using this joyful method. Behold the greatness of Dhamma! (Reaching the state of an arahat) I have attained the three supernatural powers. I have completed the practice of the Buddha's teaching!
Happiness even for householders
When a householder established in the teaching of the Buddha gave away his daughter in marriage, he gave her this advice:
Sit happily; eat happily; sleep happily.
And he explained how to do it: To fulfil the responsibilities of a daughter-in-law in the new home is conducive to happiness. If one's elders are standing, one should: take a seat only after they have sat down; take meals only after serving food to the elders; and go to bed only after serving and fulfilling the needs of the elders in the family-these are all conducive to happiness.
For householders, the words of the Buddha are full of abundant benediction for their happiness.
Some examples:Serving one's mother and father results in happiness in the world.
Following morality until old age brings happiness.
Having confidence in the Truth brings happiness.
Development of wisdom brings happiness.
Abstaining from evil brings happiness.
Help from friends and relations when one is in need brings happiness.
Remaining content with what one has brings happiness.
Meritorious deeds bring happiness even after death.
Eradicating all suffering (through the practice of Vipassana) brings happiness. It is clear that the Buddha's teaching conveyed not only the ultimate happiness of liberation from the cycle of birth and death, but also what brings happiness in mundane life. How misguided to call him a pessimist!
A Buddha arises in the world to distribute happiness.
quote:
Buddho loke samuppanno, asamo ekapuggalo;
So pakaseti saddhammam, amatam sukhamuttamam.
The peerless, remarkable Buddha arises in the world and brings into light the Truth, the Dhamma. The Buddha brings into light eternal and supreme happiness.
Therefore it is said:
quote:
Sukho buddhanam uppado, sukha saddhammadesana;
Sukha sanghassa samaggi, samagganam tapo sukho.
Happy is the arising of a Buddha, happy is the teaching of Dhamma, happy is the coming together of Sangha and happy it is to meditate together!
A Buddha distributes nothing but happiness.
What to talk of a Buddha, even the arising of any saint in the world is rare:
quote:
Dullabho purusajanno, na so sabbatthajayati.
Rare is a saint in this world. He does not take birth everywhere.
quote:
Yattha so jayato dhiro, tam kulam sukhamevati.
Where a saintly person is born, that clan's happiness increases.
An ordinary virtuous person is a cause of welfare of his clan. However a Buddha is a cause of welfare for all humanity. He preaches the benevolent Teaching, by following which people can live peaceful and happy lives, full of the truth-based Dhamma.
quote:
Dhammaramo dhammarato,
dhammam anuvicintayam;
Dhammam anussaram bhikkhu,
saddhamma na parihayati.
Living Dhamma, engrossed in Dhamma, thinking only of Dhamma and always mindful of Dhamma, a meditator bhikkhu never leaves the path of the truth-based Dhamma.
Such a meditator monk is:
quote:
Santakayo santavaco, santava susamahito;
Vantalokamiso bhikkhu, upasanto ti pavuccati.
Peaceful in body, peaceful in speech, master of a concentrated mind, leaving behind the worldly blemishes; such a peaceful bhikkhu is truly called a "calmed one".
One, thus calmed, lives happily and sleeps happily.
quote:
Upasanto sukham seti.
The "calmed one" always sleeps happily.
One who has attained ultimate peace has attained ultimate happiness. Ultimate peace is ultimate happiness. One who has attained nibbana has experienced the ultimate bliss.
Natthi santi param sukham.
There is no happiness greater than the peace of nibbana.
Such meditators having attained ultimate peace live happily even in adverse circumstances.
quote:
Susukham vata jivama
Ah, happily do we live; quote:
Veriyesu averiyo
Without hatred among enemies; quote:
Aturesu anaturo
Without affliction among the afflicted;
quote:
Ussukesu anussako
Without attachment among those with attachment!How does one attain this state of ultimate bliss?
quote:
Pavivekarasam pitva, rasam upasamassa ca.
Solitary meditation and drinking deeply the peace that comes from a serene mind.
quote:
Niddaro hoti nippapo, dhammapitirasam pivam.
Enraptured in the joy of Dhamma, a meditator becomes fearless and without any evil.
Such a meditator always lives happily. One who is without enmity becomes fearless. If one has a violent mind, full of enmity, then he will suffer the painful affliction that comes from hatred.
quote:
Yato yato himsamano nivattati,
tato tato sammati evam dukkham.
Whenever the mind gives up violence, misery gets extinguished. When misery is eradicated, life is full of happiness. To attain this blissful peace, it is essential to undertake meditation. One must meditate in a solitary cell:
quote:
Sunnagaram pavitthassa, santacittassa bhikkhuno;
Amanusi rati hoti, sammadhammam vipassati.
A bhikkhu, who has retired to a solitary place, and with serene mind practices Vipassana in the right way, enjoys divine happiness.
His whole body is filled with the boundless rapture of bliss:
quote:
Pitisukhena vipulena, pharamano samussayam.
When one practises Vipassana properly, one experiences not only bliss in mind and rapture in body but also the happiness of the infinite peace of the deathless.
quote:
Yato yato sammasati, khandhanam udayabbayam;
Labhati piti pamojjam, amatam tam vijanatam.
Whenever one directs one's attention anywhere within the body (understanding the contact of mind and body), one is aware only of arising and passing. One enjoys bliss and delight and experiences the deathless (which is the field of the Noble Ones).
This is the supreme happiness of nibbana; this is supreme peace.
IP: Logged |
silverstone
Moderator Posts: 2719
From:
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted August 05, 2006 04:50 PM
Mannu  
Mind over Matter!
Cheers, 
------------------
~*Silverstone~* IP: Logged |
fayte.m
Knowflake Posts: 9809
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat. fayte1954@hotmail.com
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted August 05, 2006 05:07 PM
Mannu 
I can most certainly relate to that  
I feel perhaps he was a "pessimistic optimist".
While not a buddha...I understand that.
One takes moments as they come. If a moment is good and pleasurable, enjoy it, savor it and concern yourself only with it. If the next moment is not good..wait it out. Do not in bad times crave and mourn for good times. In good times do not concern yourself with the next bad time or the past ones. Cycles, waves undulations of living life and existing. Go with it. Be in each moment. When you lay for example down to sleep, savor the sweetness of sleep. Do not crave what cannot be had at that moment. The joy is the sleeping.
Savor each moment. You never know what the next may bring.
If one does not expect one cannot be worried about what will come next. If good come, lovely! If bad, move through it calmly as one can. The next moment will bring something different. No human condition is ever permanet. Much is also a state of mind. As with aging...want changes? Want to feel different?Change your mind! Ok..rambling over.
 ------------------
Age is a State of Mind. Change Your Mind!
~I intend to continue learning forever~Enigma
~I am still learning~ Michangelo
The Door to Gnosis is never permanently locked...one only needs the correct keys and passwords.~Enigma
The pious man with closed eyes can often hold more ego than a proud man with open eyes.~NEXUS
Out of the mouth of babes commeth wisdom that can rival that of sages.~Enigma
In the rough, or cut and polished..a diamond is still a precious gem.
-NEXUS- IP: Logged |
Mannu
Knowflake Posts: 2764
From:
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted August 06, 2006 03:04 AM
Silverstone Fayte As far as I can remember, the first time I ever spiralled was when I read that every human being can be a buddha. I was reading a very deep literature on buddhism. It was like reading a grade X book while being at grade 1. The feeling was like Jesus asking you "you can walk on water too." and I replying "can I? Really?" Fayte, I have learnt a lot from your posts and am continuing to learn a lot. You remind me a lot about Zen buddhist monks. The great ones wud test their disciples wickedly before enrolling their initiates I will quote one or two stories in the future as examples IP: Logged |
Mannu
Knowflake Posts: 2764
From:
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted August 06, 2006 03:21 AM
Silverstone, You said "Mind over matter" ====I was typing following =====
Mind over matter rocks as thought in the olden times. Jesus taught us a great truth too when he said "If you ask the mountain to move it will move."
The christian sages might have done their best to preserve his teachings but I will narrate my thoughts on it:
Imagine you are going somewhere and there is a large mass of water in front of you. Theres no people in sight and theres no ship. If you swim you wud drown on exhaustion. What wud a spiritualist do in such a situation? He can either "Summon his powers with all his might and move the water" (yes, when you are on the spiritual journey, you will accumulate powers.) Its like collecting those artilleries, fruits or bonus points in a video game (if you have played one you will know what I am talking about hehehe) It will take one several life times to achieve that. The other option is simple to say with faith "Oh Water, Please let me cross to the other side." A lot of people will not believe it. Because they feel its an impossibility.
If it feels that way it becomes impossible.
If it feels its easy. It is easy. Did you see the movie "Little Buddha?" In there the buddha declares the bowl to move upstream if he be wrong.
We are already what we aim to become. We must not forget that. Are you watching "Mind Freak " on A&E TV?
Whether it be illusion or not (because the mind will see as it choses to), the guy Chris, speaks a lot of spiritual truth before he attempts those feats.
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fayte.m
Knowflake Posts: 9809
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat. fayte1954@hotmail.com
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted August 06, 2006 03:50 AM
Mannu 
You give me food for thought. Your calmness is an inspiration to me.
Bless you.
Namaste
and good night.
PS:
quote:
You remind me a lot about Zen buddhist monks.
The great ones wud test their disciples wickedly before enrolling their initiates I will quote one or two stories in the future as examples >>>I would very muchly like to hear those stories!
Sounds like a dear master I had in previous lives. ------------------
Age is a State of Mind. Change Your Mind!
~I intend to continue learning forever~Enigma
~I am still learning~ Michangelo
The Door to Gnosis is never permanently locked...one only needs the correct keys and passwords.~Enigma
The pious man with closed eyes can often hold more ego than a proud man with open eyes.~NEXUS
Out of the mouth of babes commeth wisdom that can rival that of sages.~Enigma
In the rough, or cut and polished..a diamond is still a precious gem.
-NEXUS- IP: Logged |
silverstone
Moderator Posts: 2719
From:
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted August 06, 2006 05:01 AM
I agree with you Fayte, yes, Mannu your calmness is an inspiration... I enjoy reading your posts; they are informative and there's a tranquility to them... keep following that road...Fayte... how are you doing... on a post I read of yours I read that there are days when you are not feeling so good... I hope everything is OK with you... By the way, how is LA, Mannu... have you been there lately? Cheers,
------------------
~*Silverstone~* IP: Logged |
fayte.m
Knowflake Posts: 9809
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat. fayte1954@hotmail.com
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted August 06, 2006 10:46 AM
Thanks silverstone
I have been going through a very bad spell.
I think it is beginning to go back into remission but will need to see the doctors to make sure no more neurological or spinal/paraspinal nerve damage has occurred.
And some other endocrine troubles too.
One day at a time
I MUST NOT ever let this consume me.
Two weeks ago..some things happened, not going into details here..
But the pain and other symptoms were awful to say the least. It took every erg of my resolve and will not to freak out.
I think it was a close call. I could have died.
But the meds kicked in and I am still here!
One day, one moment at a time folks!
TREASURE THEM! And if your health is good, do not take it for granted!
------------------
Age is a State of Mind. Change Your Mind!
~I intend to continue learning forever~Enigma
~I am still learning~ Michangelo
The Door to Gnosis is never permanently locked...one only needs the correct keys and passwords.~Enigma
The pious man with closed eyes can often hold more ego than a proud man with open eyes.~NEXUS
Out of the mouth of babes commeth wisdom that can rival that of sages.~Enigma
In the rough, or cut and polished..a diamond is still a precious gem.
-NEXUS-
IP: Logged |
Mannu
Knowflake Posts: 2764
From:
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted August 06, 2006 07:35 PM
 Lots of love to you two.
Silverstone, I do keep travelling to LA on weekdays. WOnder though for how long? I am glad to be there, the beautiful weather clears my head. Wud love to meet. But I am a very private person in reality. An introvert, believe it or not. Fayte, Awww.... I know you are strong willed and have made thru it before. God bless you! IP: Logged |
fayte.m
Knowflake Posts: 9809
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat. fayte1954@hotmail.com
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted August 06, 2006 07:49 PM
Mannu
You do inspire me and I do have a deep affection for you my friend.
One of these days when I have a house suitable for guests I shall certainly invite you! And coming from a hermit like me who has no guests or vistors for months to years...that is saying alot about what I think about you.
God Bless you my friend.  
~Fayte~
PS.Soul friends are friends even if they never meet in the flesh. The preciousness is undiminished by that.
PPS.I will remove this post if I have embarrassed you with my gushing forwardness.
I never want to make you feel uncomfortable.  ------------------
Age is a State of Mind. Change Your Mind!
~I intend to continue learning forever~Enigma
~I am still learning~ Michangelo
The Door to Gnosis is never permanently locked...one only needs the correct keys and passwords.~Enigma
The pious man with closed eyes can often hold more ego than a proud man with open eyes.~NEXUS
Out of the mouth of babes commeth wisdom that can rival that of sages.~Enigma
In the rough, or cut and polished..a diamond is still a precious gem.
-NEXUS- IP: Logged |
Mannu
Knowflake Posts: 2764
From:
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted August 06, 2006 10:15 PM
Dear Fayte, No, no. You haven't embarrassed me at all.
Thank you for the invitation. I feel honored to feel worthy in your eyes Also as you said, not meeting in flesh does not reduce the value of friendship.
So true amongst the other valuable of your quotes spead in LL. What one keeps with one's self dies with one's self and what one gives away, makes the giver eternal, because it lives with others. Sorry for the paraphrase. Hope the meaning sticks out. May God respond to your needs.
IP: Logged |
silverstone
Moderator Posts: 2719
From:
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted August 06, 2006 11:26 PM
Fayte... Hang in there you are going to be fine... you are a strong woman: Mannu... you are a true Cancer. Most Cancers are very private, my brother is a Cancer; he is very much a private person (One of the things I like about Cancers is their laugh... it is contagious; gee, you should see my brother and me)I haven't been to LA for awhile and I recall you mentioning in a past post that you travel to LA, so I was wondering the weather in LA, as I live about 1 hour and 40 minutes away and like going there (sorry, I have a good memory, but actually Taurus, the Bull, has the BEST memory; with the Eagle-Scorpio coming 2nd and Cancer, the Crab, coming 3rd... hehehe... I bet you didn't know that, Mr. Mannu!) quote:
I do keep travelling to LA on weekdays. WOnder though for how long? I am glad to be there, the beautiful weather clears my head. Wud love to meet. But I am a very private person in reality. An introvert, believe it or not.
Well, I wouldn't love to meet you, I was just asking to see if you'd been to LA (just kidding, BUDDY) Oh, by the way, I know you are a very private person... that is why I like to pick on you (most Cancers are); so, lighten up already and go and have a drink (I told you that last time, remember?) 
I am also extremely private (Most Scorpios are; and I think more than Cancers... remember SECRECY even if we appear to not be private); $hit, what am I doing, I just revealed a Scorpio secret on privacy, slap me, Fayte!
PS~ Fayte, I solute this: Soul friends are friends even if they never meet in the flesh. The preciousness is undiminished by that.
Cheers,
Silverstone
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fayte.m
Knowflake Posts: 9809
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat. fayte1954@hotmail.com
Registered: Mar 2005
|
posted August 07, 2006 12:05 AM
Mannu
Silverstone
You two are so precious and beautiful are your souls.
You make my tired heart soar tonight. 
I am completely moved by your caring and kindness.
Sweetest of dreams and blessings of love and good fortune to you both! ------------------
Age is a State of Mind. Change Your Mind!
~I intend to continue learning forever~Enigma
~I am still learning~ Michangelo
The Door to Gnosis is never permanently locked...one only needs the correct keys and passwords.~Enigma
The pious man with closed eyes can often hold more ego than a proud man with open eyes.~NEXUS
Out of the mouth of babes commeth wisdom that can rival that of sages.~Enigma
In the rough, or cut and polished..a diamond is still a precious gem.
-NEXUS- IP: Logged |
Mannu
Knowflake Posts: 2764
From:
Registered: Mar 2006
|
posted August 07, 2006 12:17 AM
Fayte, Hope you will have the most peaceful sleep tonite Silverstone, Buddy!!You have asked me so many times about LA in the past and thats why I wondered if you wanted to meet if we are in the same area In the past five months that I have been there, I do find Californians very different compared to the Jerseyites. So I wasn't sure how to respond to that quesion when you asked. Sure I knew Taurus had better memory than Cancer. But if one direct the energies of planets, we can be as good as we want to get. Cheers....going to sleep now... IP: Logged | |
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