Should Buddhists avoid seeking enlightenment?

[I, Brian]

Buddhism continues to seem a very paradoxical way of thinking to myself.

For example, I'm given the impression that desire for anything is a mistake within Buddhism. Yet does the Buddhist at heart not desire englightenment?

Therefore is every Buddhist who actively seeks enlightenment not actively working against core principles of Buddhist philosophy?

Simply a curious question.

[earl]

Sometimes they make the useful semantic distinction between "desire" and "craving." Craving is essentially attaching to anything so strongly that we turn it into a "thing" and allow the need to have it fulfilled define/adversely affect us. You do though bring up an interesting subtle element that is actually often discussed in Buddhhism historically and currently, that actually relates to part of Gautama's 8-fold path: Right Effort. Buddha used the metaphor of the string of a lyre: that it should not be too tight or too loose-that if one did not pursue awakening with enough effort, 1 could not achieve it; likewise, if 1 pursued it with too much, it actually pushed the "goal" further away. Like all aspects of the 8-fold path, however, the 8 elements worked together synergistically. For instance, starting out the path with Right View also helps: right view being the Buddhist understanding of the emptiness and transitoriness of self which enables the effort to be seen in appropriate perspective. 1 of the wonderful "bait & switch" methods of Buddhism, though, was to (in beginning students' eyes), hook up with a beginner's desire to obtain this "thing" called enlightenment and engage them long enough until they realize some of what that means, which like so many spiritual paths is really more about letting go, than grabbing hold of. Take care, Earl

[Awaiting_the_fifth]

It IS an error of logic to actively seek the end of seeking, but the enlightened mind is free of the constraints of logic, it always responds immediately and without thought or hesitation.

[I, Brian]

Originally Posted by earl

1 of the wonderful "bait & switch" methods of Buddhism, though, was to (in beginning students' eyes), hook up with a beginner's desire to obtain this "thing" called enlightenment and engage them long enough until they realize some of what that means, which like so many spiritual paths is really more about letting go, than grabbing hold of.

I like that - this makes perfect sense to me, and helps resolve the perceived paradox.

[Vajradhara]

Namaste all,


one of the single most important points to bear in mind when we read the Buddhist teachings from our vantage point, is to remember that each of the Suttas/Sutras were given to a very specific group of beings that was asking the questions.

the Buddha taught using Upaya (Skillful means) which means that each of the teachings that we read is given to a group of beings predicated on their intellectual and spiritual understanding.

if we are not in the same relative position as these beings, the teaching given is not really for us. heck, it can even create more confusion than clarity, depending on the individual being.

the prohibition regarding seeking enlightenment is mainly due to how the mind views objects. awakening or "enlightenment" as it were, becomes an object in the mind which is distinguished from the unawakened or un-enlightened. these mind objects, in turn, become an impediment to the actual experience of awakening when the experience does not comport with our mental picture of what is "should" be.

to paraphrase an oft used similie: how does one describe a featureless landscape?

metta,

~v