Ask a Bodhisattva Anything

Who has reached enlightenment? When you say "i" have became enlightened, it contradicts itself greatly. I apologize if anyone has touched on this already, as I haven't had time to read the whole thread. Do not fall into delusions.

reply to post by DeReK DaRkLy

Originally posted by DeReK DaRkLy
Awesome theory!

Begs the question, will the Universal Consciousness ever be satisfied?

Thanks!

And my perspective currently says it/we are only satisfied when we become satisfied with being unsatisfied. There is always more infinity to explore, even if a lot of it looks similar. Ya never know what's down that next Minibrot Hole.

Namaste!

reply to post by Redeemer


I as Buddha1098 was liberated, But I'm not Buddha1098, I AM.

Do you agree?

reply to post by Buddha1098

When you're heartfelt and true desire is to make others happy then how is that slavery?

Enlightenment should have taught you that the path to nirvana is the quenching of desire. Those who have trodden the path you claim to be walking before you have told us that all desires, no matter how altruistic and virtuous, are chains binding us to samsara. They are all thanha, craving.

When you wake up in the morning and you think what do I want to do today? When the answer is "Make others happy" then you are doing what YOU want. Not out of obligation, but because it fulfills you.

You had better find yourself something else to call yourself. This statement means you don’t know the first thing about Buddhism. In fact, from your self-description, you don’t even know what a bodhisattva is. If you don’t know that, you are insulting 350 million Buddhists by calling yourself a bodhisattva. And the fact that that never even occurred to you shows how wrapped up you are in your Western materialistic New Age perceptions, and how very far from real enlightenment you are. Vade retro, false prophet! How dare you presume to instruct others when you are mired in ignorance and contradiction yourself!

Wake up and get real. You are not enlightened. You are a slave to the same illusions as everybody else

*

reply to post by Doublemint

But can you rember dieing? If not then you must die to experince it and how can you be enlightened and not have experinced everything.

Exactly!

The Buddha informed his disciples that when he attained enlightenment he remembered all his previous incarnations. In fact, this is precisely how enlightenment is defined in the Indic tradition; the main symptom of it is an ability to remember all one’s previous lives.

The OP is not at all enlightened; he has merely allowed his desire to run away with his belief, just like any other Western consumer.

reply to post by Buddha1098


What is this "I" being referred to? There is nothing to liberate. Are we in agreement?

reply to post by Astyanax


you do wrong! at the Very least OP is humble.

Originally posted by indisputable
reply to post by Buddha1098

 

I personally don't believe you need to meditate for long periods of your life to attain enlightenment or sit there chanting a mantra.Enlightenment is in every one from the start you just need to CHOOSE to be a better person. Which we all know is like living your life full of rules for ones self, which people hate. It also takes more control to be nice and a lot more effort and energy. I am not saying it is a wast of time because mantras and certain aspects of religion can give the week minded the strength and confidence in ones self to be a better person.

You are absolutely correct indisputable. My passing through The VOID was completely spontaneous taking no conscious, consorted effort on my part. I did indeed start forgiving others and myself though and surrendering without dogma or specific direction. It was simply a decision and the result surprised me and everyone that knew me or met me later. In researching my experience I came across many who have been tirelessly on the path that said it was impossible without practice, routine and effort. That couldn't be further from the Truth.

Also, as a student of Buddhism. I do find this offensive but more so, I find it damaging and harmful to the op and others. People are going to hang on your words because they don't know better. They crave answers and will listen to anyone that claims "enlightenment". If you're serious about being a bodhisattva, why are you on the internet playing 20 questions instead of easing people's suffering on a greater scale? This does not make sense.

Originally posted by Student X

Originally posted by Buddha1098
reply to post by AnotherSon

 

I'm glad I shared this on ATS. I debated for a long time because I didn't want it to denegrate into an "You're not enlightened, I AM." thread as so many on here do. I just wish I could connect with people locally that have had the same experiences.

Thank you for sharing your experience.
Namaste my friend

Yeah I know what you mean. I have been debating for a long time too. After seeing your thread I am satisfied.

You and I went through Buddha-consciousness at the same time...I wish we could sit down and have a chat face-to-face! Understanding you and your experience might help me to understand me and mine better.

I'm curious whether you had an urge to go on a pilgrimage, because I did. I'm curious whether you have experienced any altered states of consciousness since then, because I have. I'm 40, male. You?

edit on 20-9-2011 by Student X because: (no reason given)

I went on a few pilgrimages when I was 38-39. The only other person I met that seemed to understand was a fellow in Sedona, AZ. We were introduced at a coffee shop and looking into each other's eyes simply uttered, "I KNOW" over and over to each other making our company rather uncomfortable. We would finish each other's sentences and spoke the same language. The person that introduced us told me she knew someone in town that spoke like me thus our introduction. I have yet to meet another face to face. That of course is my little illusion.

Originally posted by Buddha1098
reply to post by Redeemer

 

I as Buddha1098 was liberated, But I'm not Buddha1098, I AM.

Do you agree?

OP seriously! Are you sick and on drugs?

I can help you face your problems.

reply to post by Astyanax


It didn't occur to me that using the Term Boddhisattva would be offensive to Buddhists because I cannot be offended any more. I appologize if I offended you.

Namaste my friend.

reply to post by Redeemer


Yes we are in agreement.

reply to post by Redeemer


You're right this is Ego gratification, But I needed this thread to realize that. This will be my last post.

Namaste

Originally posted by Buddha1098
reply to post by Student X

 

I had been exploring unity consciousness for a couple months. Everything is me, was my mantra. I began to treat people better and I let go of resentment or anger for my enemies.

On the solstice I thought "If everything is me then all animals are me too, the spiders and ants i stepped on and the chickens and cows I ate were me. I should treat all creation as if it were me." Instantly I felt and energy inside of my body and a smile crossed my face. I thought "My existence causes suffering, the only way to ensure I didn't cause suffering was to cease to exist." At that point I felt and overwhelming sense that I could "come home" I decided I wanted to and the room I was in had light begin to shine through it. Things went from opaque to transparent until I bluish white light was all I could see or perceive. I was laughing hysterically and what I felt was indescribable, but the closest word would be love.

I decided to come back because I thought I could help others by relating my experience. At which point the light faded and I was back in my body but completely changed.

How about your experience?

wait... ive been doing that for the last 10 years... im a Bodhisattva?

for some reason i thought it would be more difficult..

learn something new every day.

edit- woop.. i had no idea there were so many pages!..

dont worry op, just drop the labels, they have no purpose really.. just keep on the journey.

reply to post by Buddha1098


Do u drive a car?
2nd

reply to post by Buddha1098


I wish you only the best friend. The wise man thinks he's a fool but the fool thinks he's a wise man.

Originally posted by Buddha1098
This will be my last post.

If that is your will my Brother. You said you were enlightened and I believed you. I say you are enlightened because you have an experience to share that I have no way of knowing. You are a piece of this reality and chose to express yourself as so.

Your story is not about your enlightenment, but rather ours. Why you would be shamed into not sharing is beyond me. People hunger for the truth, but when someone declares it honestly, they shun it. No, they would rather obtain it from the dead symbology of a book than the living testimony of the Brother right before them.

Anyone who is ashamed of what you say my Brother, I too am ashamed of.

Not that it matters much, being just a son of man.

With Love,

Your Brother

If this person was what he says he is
He wouldn't be saying it

Originally posted by IAMIAM

Originally posted by Buddha1098
This will be my last post.

If that is your will my Brother. You said you were enlightened and I believed you. I say you are enlightened because you have an experience to share that I have no way of knowing. You are a piece of this reality and chose to express yourself as so.

Your story is not about your enlightenment, but rather ours. Why you would be shamed into not sharing is beyond me. People hunger for the truth, but when someone declares it honestly, they shun it. No, they would rather obtain it from the dead symbology of a book than the living testimony of the Brother right before them.

Anyone who is ashamed of what you say my Brother, I too am ashamed of.

Not that it matters much, being just a son of man.

With Love,

Your Brother

Buddha became what he is not by telling the world about his 'enlightenment' but by solving real people's real problems.

Enlightenment is not like a degree you get in college and then strut to your employers.

People will not believe you. And people have every right not to believe you.So many of so called godmen are out there just to deceive.

The issue is proof. And proof comes only after people have tested you,

Originally posted by Bluesma
If this person was what he says he is
He wouldn't be saying it

If he wasn't the person who came up with that saying, he would not be saying it. He is not that person. He is his own person having a similar experience. Let him walk his path, as you would like to walk yours.

With Love,

Your Brother