What do you think of this quote and its relation to spirituality?

Question

"I have never met a man who was truly awake." ~ Buddha

True? False? Like it? Don't? Please explain your answers.

Answer 1

The quote as stated by you, "I have never met a man who was truly awake" by Gautama Buddha clearly and visibly explains the impediment in the life of Gautama Buddha when he made this statement. When young Gautama Buddha confronted his parents by asking why some people looked frail and old. His parents were adamant not to let the child know the truth about the non-permanence of life. They avoided the issue at all costs. Every courtier was made clear that the young Gautama (Siddhartha) must never know this truth of life. The inherently knew that whenever Gautama (Siddhartha) realizes this aspect of life would immediately leave the house in search for the absolute truth. This the parents never wanted.

The curiosity within young Gautama had already taken roots. He inherently felt that something was wrong somewhere. He wanted to find out what it was. In search of truth... young Gautama (Siddhartha) became a wandering monk. In the early stages of life Gautama Buddha made the biggest mistake of his life. He left for the confines of forests without taking leave of his dutiful wife and child. He merely touched the feet of both and left for the forlorn jungles. None told him that simply touching the feet of his wife and child did not absolve him of the accumulated karma.

The karma had to be burnt in totality. Only then one could gain enlightenment. That was possible by churning the karma at its roots. Getting rid of the five senses and the mind is the biggest task every serious seeker of spirituality faces. But Gautama Buddha in his times did not get an enlightened spiritual master to guide him on the path. He sought for the answers remaining in forlorn jungles. Finding none he came back to the community and not finding the answers there either he got frustrated.

Ultimately, outpoured from the mouth of Gautama Buddha, "I have never met a man who was truly awake" from whom Gautama Buddha could have learnt the intricacies of spiritual life. In the times of Gautama Buddha there was not a single enlightened soul who could have guided Gautama Buddha on the correct spiritual path. One who gains enlightenment becomes truly awake! And one who has finally awakened... goes to the abode of God, the kingdom of God (aka Baikuntha in Hinduism) finally. More on Gautama Buddha and enlightenment - http://www.godrealized.com/enlightenment.html

Answer 2

I don't. It sounds high-brow, like something I'd hear from a preacher or cultural elitist. How do you know what someone else is thinking? So Buddha had a special view or the world because he meditated? What about everyone else?

One could argue that the people most "awake" to spirituality are those who can rectify it with reality, such as the foremost scientists of the 20th century to now, like Albert Einstein, Carl Sagan, and Steven Hawking. They had a sense of awe and perhaps spirituality about the universe but did not assign these to deities or religious "experiences." And they didn't use coded phrases to make others believe that they were somehow better or more "enlightened."

Answer 3

True, we all have subjective perceptions as David Hume has pointed out so eloquently. The Buddha had to have been including himself in his observation... he's a man. All spiritual endeavors are subjective, no two people experience the same perceptual phenomena exactly. How can anyone be "awake" if no one can prove anyone else's experience?

Answer 4

Learning is an on going endeavor. Man is always subject to his current understanding or perceptions of the universe. To say a man is totally awake is like saying man knows everything in the universe.

What fool think he knows total truth?

Answer 5

I think it's true. I believe that someone who is "awake" is aware of all things around him. Consciously and subconsciously.... in balance with nature and with himself. Free in the mind and free in spirit.

In this day & age it may be even more true than centuries ago. With inflation there's more emphasis on money & getting as much as you can to live. People are often materialistic and they do not let themselves balance with nature... they only care about the physical possessions and out-doing their neighbors. How can one be "awake" when they feel that things such as material possessions, money and/or power are the most important things that this world has to offer? There is so much to be enjoyed once one finds that balance, but most cannot find it because they are not awake/aware that there are more important things to life.

Answer 6

It was probably true for the Buddha regardless of whether I like it or not. I relate to the statement but I don't necessarily agree that it applies to our current times. In other words, that was then and this is now.
For me, the evolution of conscious won't allow mankind to stay 'sleeping'. Everyone will eventually become fully awake.

Answer 7

It is true but should be looked at directly. A "man" or "woman" is not awake for they "think" they are either man or woman. This is why the rose is not red. Being just a man or woman is suffering from a case of mistaken identity. Thanks, I had never heard this quote before, it is very good. ~ : )

Answer 8

Are you saying that Guatama Buddha said this?

Buddha by definition is one who has been truly awaken. One who is not is called a man, a person, etc.

By Buddhist definition then, any man who is truly awake would not be called a man, but Buddha.

Its a no-brainer statement.

Answer 9

I think its true

We judge even when we try not to. We see partial truths even when we try to be open minded. If we were truly awake we would be beyond judgments and hate. Maybe this is human nature. We can never see all sides of the truth

Answer 10

I think it is a very true statement. No one on the planet is completely aware of her/himself, the surroundings and one's place in it. Anyone who says they are truly awake is just living in a dream world.

I like the statement. It explains a lot of odd behavior in this world.