A Question For Spiritually / Theologically Advanced Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs???

Question

According to Hinduism/Buddhism/Sikhism, god is love and love is god. However, at the same time love is only an emotion. These three sister religions teach that in order to achieve moksha (nirvana), one must experience true inner self realisation (often through yoga, meditation, mantras, worship etc). This can only be done when one overcomes ALL EMOTIONS (this includes love) and all intellect (because emotions and intellect are directly associated with the human senses).

My first question is: Are these two contradictory concepts???

If yes, How can a devout Hindu/Buddhist/Sikh reconcile them (if at all possible)???

Contrary to popular perception, Buddhism DOES believe in God. The idea that Buddhism is an atheist religion is one of the biggest misconceptions of Buddhism. Even the Dalai Lama laughs at the fact that so many ignorant (mainly westerners) people perceive Buddhism to be an atheist religion.

Mr Hambuglar, "Nirvana" and "Moksha" are one and the same. The only difference is that "moksha" is used mainly by Hindus and "nirvana" is used mainly by Buddhists. These concepts imply that the soul has freed itself from the cycle of reincarnation. The latter can only happen when "self-realisation" takes place. I think you are getting confused, Mr Hambuglar. Have you even read any of Buddha's teachings???

Answer 1

Such an excellent and well put question.

I would like to offer this; that the concept of overcoming has something more to do with not being at the effect of, rather than renunciation. To self realize, is to perhaps stand in utter truth and awareness of all that you are, right now - as human.

The experience of no-thing is so abstract, it must be cognized, and brought back here to integrate, with the human, not apart from it.

We have seen the result of the seeker who renounces the world in order to achieve this enlightenment - they become nearly invisible here, and lose all sense of self, in search of Self. Perhaps it is time for a new construct? Could we not find a way to realize states of Enlightenment without removing from the world? To not deny our essential nature, but use it to further our expansion, and so the experience of Enlightenment itself?

As for love, well, I believe that unconditional love is the highest, most refined expression we can experience as humans. There is nothing to be overcome, when emanating from that state. You are in perfect right action, without need of calculation. Transcendence is but a heartbeat away, and you are free to experience emotion, intellect, all of the human conditions, without being at their effect.
you become the Buddha, watching the river, from the riverbank. As the Buddha, as the river, one with and still as self.

Answer 2

Excellent question. And I fully agree with you about Buddhism. You do kill the Buddha that you meet on the road but when the true Buddha is met how can you kill something that was not born?
The way love is seen by most is an emotion but the love we are talking about is the Mother of all things. It is the enlightenment of Buddha. Buddha sits in stillness, a light flashes out of between Buddhas brows enlightening Buddha this enlightening can and is sometimes called love. Not so much in Buddhism but in other religions. Christ is the light of man {and woman} that God gave to the world, if a person does not know this light {that is in them} Christ is dead but if they come to know this light as themselves, then Christ is alive. I think it says something like "and God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son". This son is the same as Buddhas light. I am more of a Buddhist than a Christian I guess and Zen Buddhist at that. Hope I cleared up a little. This notion of love because of it's understanding as an emotion is really hard to explain to most people and the word enlightenment is so much more simple for me anyway. Have some tea? To drink this tea one must empty there cup of everything else first, then it is full of what is, enlightenment or love, sometimes words hinder. *sip* EDIT: Thanks Jon, great cuo of tea, *sip*

Answer 3

Well, I am a Buddhist and I do not believe in God. Could you please provide the link to this supposed quote by the Dalai Lama? I have heard him speak many times and have never heard him say any such thing.
"Tibetan Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama was the keynote speaker at the 1999 Parliament of the World's Religions (12/15/99). His message of spirituality without a deity is now said to be "the perfect way to satisfy the spiritual hunger of people living in a scientific and secular age" (12/6/99 C T). Buddhism, which has 358 million followers world-wide, is non-theistic. " And before you ask me, yes, I have read the Buddha's teachings, have you?

Answer 4

Dear Hans Ji ,

I few unwanted suggestions ( may be found to be relevant by you or anyone from the group)

This question is NOT only restricted to "Spiritually / Theologically Advanced Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs??? "
BUT TO THE WHOLE MANKINd AND THE UNIVERSE.

The Love , as I preceive it , is not an emotion but an indication of being Infinite , universal ,
limitless - great, illimitable, immeasurable, immense, incalculable, indefinite, inexhaustible, measureless, tremendous, unbounded, unconfined, unending, unlimited, untold, vast, wide open .
Once any of the above comes into a man's life the intellect takes a back seat .and the next step is realisation and Moksha.

May I add here Mother Tressa's living example of Love Humanity and untiring selfless service and your answer should get answered automatically.

Blessings

Answer 5

My sensation says that God is love, but love is not God, love is one of ladder to realise God, love is full of emotions, Similarly emotions are also one of the ladders to realise God. It is true that one must experience true self realisation (often through Yoga, Meditation, Mantras, Worship etc) but one cannot reach Mokshas, if he is not able to listen inertly the unending Devinne sound NAAD, DHUN, SHABAD which are the realistic Devinne sound for enlightenment towards Moksha, This is not the end, all these are constrained by our desires, for which we are helpless and return to the same path of the world. Here emotions plays a vital role. so if one can denounce emotion for a while one is right on the ladder of Moksha, So Emotions are dependent on Love and one cannot equate emotion with love. When love dominates emotions arises but sinks down with eternal love of GOD only by self realisation. Therefore Love and emotions are contradictory concepts in matters of belief. There is no matter of reconciliation as belief over rule each other faith. In realities one should adopt to self-realisation mode to achieve Moksha.

Answer 6

As a Jesusonain Theologian for over thirty years to date, I am familiar with all major religions and many smaller sects evolving within them.

GOD is love; but love is not GOD. Love, in the highest sense, is only a Supreme Value of many others.

GOD is the One Uncaused Cause of all infinite Reality

Love is the supreme spiritual desire to do good to others; never a mere human animal-mind emotion. Lust is not love.

If you want much more, do a web search on "Jesusonian" or "Epochal Revelation" :))

Peace and progress,
Brother Dave, a Jesusonian Truthist

Answer 7

This is simply an understnding of matters out of context .Cerain questions hat eh children ask are very difficult to answer , not becsues ther eis no answer ; but because the anwer would be too long and tedious fo rhe child to understand . I do not find it worth while to exhaust myself to teach the fundamentals of hidnu philosophy to one who is totally confused .Just rest for a while and watch the anwers in this section for one year at least .
The Hindus say that the first god is mother , the second one is the father , the third one is the guru and the last one is the Deva , the real God ..
Lord krishna shows to Arjuna the comos the whole space and all the universes in it as the true form of god when the later asked him to shopw the totality og god .Do not these two look contrdictory for one one who does not know what Hidnusis is ?
This is the answer in a nutshell to your question now .
The three religions tell yu that that god does not hate you when they say god is love .and ;love is god
they donot say that love alone is god and god alone is love .
Your hand alone is not you.your ears alone ar eno tyou. Your legs alone are not you. These organs when shown seprately will easily b eknown as a man's organs and when shown to some one who knoiws you beter would say that they are yours too. this statement would be difficult to understnd sois Hinduism even to Hindus .There is no contrdiction for one who knows .It might not be possible for any one to aquire a Doctorate even in the fist standard itself .Patient learning would for long years would be needed.

Answer 8

I would not want to get into the technicalities of what is written in the scriptures of different religions, because it's not possible in the small space given here.

Please always clarify your thoughts before raising a doubt or jumping to conclusions. There are 4 universally accepted methods to attain Liberation (one or more of it is followed by every other religion under different names)-
Gnana Yoga - The pursuit of the ultimate knowledge
Bhakti Yoga - Complete submission of oneself to GOD
Karma Yoga - Utter perseverance of appropriate actions
Kriya Yoga - The Congruence & Harnessing of the Ethereal Energy within.

These 4 methods or paths seem to be contradictory to the layman. Overcoming all emotion is part of Gnana Yoga; while to Love God is part of Bhakti Yoga. It all depends on where you are & the path you want to take to reach GOD.

For eg. to reach Delhi, one person takes flight from Mumbai, one boards a train from Calcutta, one person takes the road from Chennai. All are sure to reach Delhi within a stipulated time; but their origins, paths, methods differ while their destination is the same.

Answer 9

There's nothing wrong in helping a person or animal in need, in fact it is a very commendable kindness. Jesus Christ once told of a person being robbed along the way was beaten and was left half dead. A priest was on his way when he saw the bleeding man, changed course and continued on his way. another religious man came, a Levite (clergyman) went close but didn't lift any finger to help, then went his way. The third man to come was a Samaritan, an outcast and considered by Jews as lawless. The Samaritan was instantly moved in compassion, immediately, he anointed the wounds with oil, bind them and he brought the man to nearby hostel or inn. Before leaving, the Samaritan handed the innkeeper ample amount of money to cover the expenses and even promised to pay whatever is due when he comes back. At the end of the parable, Jesus asked his audience, "Who do you think did the right thing?" Jesus taught, love your fellow man as you love your own. Furthermore, "LOVE YOUR ENEMY", "PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU" If Christians are to love and pray for those who hurt them, how much more for those weak, needy and unable to hurt anyone?

Answer 10

Yes, it's not a matter of overcoming, but of releasing our grasping at them.

I must take issue with your idea of the belief in God.
Presumably you are talking about the Dharmakaya - but that is not a being, it is a condition. "There is that condition which is which is unborn unoriginated, etc, etc.

Master Daishin, a modern Zen abbot told me once, there is not a God - but there is not no-God either. He should know! Buddhism is certainly not atheistic - but it not theistic either.

EDIT,
Sunmanna.
I've got a cuo here, if you have a (timeless) moment.

EDIT,
Where tea is concerned, the more people 'present', the better.
(Maybe I should post a Q about presence.)