I'm trying to find an affirmation of the value of our human existence from the point of Buddhism, but with it's philosophy of ending attachments, I'm having difficulty seeing it. When we get down to ascetism, are we not denying our own humanity and the good of being human?
2006-09-29 06:37:51 · 7 answers · asked by bobkgin 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Being human in the Buddhist culture is not necessarily considered bad but it is not ideal. The optimum goal of Buddhism is to rid yourself of attachments to end suffering and then to reach Nirvana or enlightenment. Once this goal is reached it is believed you die and are released from the circle of reincarnation, so obviously if you are born you did not achieve Nirvana in your previous life.
2006-09-29 07:13:58 · answer #1 · answered by meona 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do not stop being human because you lose your attachments, you understand what being human is. The attachments are the things that are causing all of the suffering and misery, when you release them you find contentment and joy in just being human instead of defining yourself by illusions and depending on anything to make you happy.
2006-09-29 13:43:24 · answer #2 · answered by thewolfskoll 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
On the contrary, being human is a great piece of good fortune because as a human you may hear the preaching of the Buddhist wisdom and attain enlightenment. If you waste your current human lifetime, it might be billions of years before you are reborn as a human.
2006-09-29 13:40:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
To a Buddhist to be human is a wonderful opportunity. In understanding 'attachment' please realize that this does not mean not caring. It means caring and allowing things to just be however they are. Not having expectations or needs per se, concerning what is 'other' to ourselves and also ourselves as well.
2006-10-01 17:22:08 · answer #4 · answered by a_delphic_oracle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Attachment means identifying one-self with one's possessions. Even love between people, if it is conditional, i.e. I love you "only if" is not love at all, but attachment. Only if we are able to love someone unconditionally, regardless of what they do, do we really love them. That is love without an attachment. And that level of love, felt by Jesus, but unknown with the absolute majority of people, is what Buddhism is about.
2006-09-29 13:51:56 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, being human is the best possible birth, there is enough suffering to motivate you to escape birth and death, but not so much that you can't practive love and compassion.
2006-09-29 13:50:23 · answer #6 · answered by shinai_inaozuke 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
being human is my god given right.
2006-09-29 13:40:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋