2006-12-17 08:01:14 · 13 answers · asked by poleangler 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Enlightenment is when you come to terms with all your past lives and experience the Truth of the world. At least that's what the Buddha did.
2006-12-17 08:03:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Enlightenment is freedom from attachments to things and structures. It is the ability to see the interconnectedness of all things, ourselves included, and that nothing can arise without a cause. This is why Buddhist philosophy puts forward the idea that the "self" does not exist, because its processes are so interconnected to every other event in life, it cannot have existence alone.
ADDITION:
I wonder why someone went down the line giving the first several answers thumbs-down ratings. The answers may be incomplete, but somehow I get the impression someone was unwilling to engage in a dialogue about the possible benefits of Buddhist philosophy.
2006-12-17 16:06:06 · answer #2 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The aim is to reach a state known as Nirvana. This is where upon death one will break free from the cycle of rebirths. Basically it is a complete and utter detachment from this world. The complete opposite of Jewish or Christian beliefs where one is to appreciate and care for creation. Buddhists say creation is bad, Monotheists say it is good.
2006-12-17 16:05:18 · answer #3 · answered by jonathan x 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"Basically it is a complete and utter detachment from this world."
Yes and no. A common way to misrepresent Buddhism is to say it is about "utter detachment from this world".
Nothing could be further from the truth. Buddhism is about understanding the true nature of yourself and the world. To do this, you must get over your temporal attachments, but this leads to a *better* understanding of yourself and the world and a more meaningful 'connection' instead of 'attachment'.
2006-12-17 16:15:35 · answer #4 · answered by Bad Buddhist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To extinguish ones ego, to destroys ones perception of an individual identity and acquire ones true identity as one with the world And experiencing the unity of all being, and the end of all suffering and removal from the wheel of dharma awakening from the dream world.
2006-12-17 16:05:54 · answer #5 · answered by K to the T 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A time when one's soul truly becomes seperated from the things that cause us suffering. Greed, material possessions, hate etc. This is reached through vigourous conscious study of nature and deep meditation.
2006-12-17 16:04:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's hard to define but it's a spiritual awakening-realisation of the self and its oneness with the divine having broken the chains of materialist desires.
2006-12-17 16:07:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Enlightenment is the point when one realizes happiness lie within, rather than in material things. You rely only on yourself to make yourself happy (or God, for those who believe). Once you achieve this, you can escape the cycle of reincarnation.
2006-12-17 16:05:07 · answer #8 · answered by retzy 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Book of Ecclesiastes 1 thru 8 all is vain and we all meet the same death, hope and faith for life ater death must be enlightenment.
2006-12-17 16:17:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Through years of meditation, you remove the negatives out of your head and all of the answers you received for your question will be realized.
2006-12-17 16:16:54 · answer #10 · answered by Mr. Bodhisattva 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋