Nasrudin Returns

[DevilMayCare]

It is said that when Buddha was first Enlightened he was asked,

"Are you a God?"

"No," he replied.

"Are you a saint?"

"No."

"Then what are you?"

And he answered, "I am awake."

 

[Dillinger]

True Buddhism demands faith, yet allows for flexibility. One can be an athist, and a Buddhist at the same time. The Buddha did not wish to be considered a god, when there were those who wished to worship him. Buddhism can be viewed as a philosophy, a way of life, with the acceptence of the Buddha as an enlightened man, though nirvana is the goal, it is irrelevent as long as one follows the Way. The Eightfold Path, the Four Truths.


Siddhartha left his family and riches to search for answers. His wanderings took him to many lands, to study with many masters, teachers, gurus, and asthetics. He studied many different forms of meditation and physical conditioning. Siddhartha studied the ways of those who believed pain was the path to nirvana, and those who obstained from food, water-- forms of torture if you will. Siddhartha did not feel that the way to end suffering and achievement of inner piece was though more suffering.

One day, after meditating under the Bodhi tree for several days, sick, malnourished, and near death, Siddhartha opened his eyes and smiled, saying "I am awake."

[Edited by Dillinger on 05-10-2001 at 07:19 PM]

 

[DevilMayCare]

Teachings in non-duality :

I have opinions of my own --strong opinions-- but I don't always agree with them.

George Bush

Om mani padme hum

 

[DevilMayCare]

http://www.dragonflower.org/images/goldbuddha.gif

Know this dream for what it is. Enjoy it if you wish, but be aware that your very clinging to it is what binds you. You are always free. You only think you are bound. If you wish to free yourself from sorrow and pain then see this dream as it is. If you fear mortality realize your nature of birthless, deathless reality. To realize this requires only that you cease your clinging to appearances. Relinquish your attatchment to forms. You need not close yourself to their sight, simply see them as you would a dream. Allow them to come and go as they please. Let not the dream rule you, seduce you, entice you to hanker after it like a slave. See all as one. Reality is contained in you, nowhere else. It is yours. Do not be tricked.