If the buddha was enlightened, and being enlightened means losing all desire, why did he try and spread his religion . . . or do anything at all for that matter. Shouldn't he have just lied down and waited to die?
2007-08-10 08:45:19 · 15 answers · asked by octagonmanstuckinmolasses 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
He just sat, got bald and fat.
2007-08-10 08:49:54 · answer #1 · answered by Zappster (Deep Thunker) 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
It is taught that when he attained his Enlightenment, he saw no use in saying what no-one would understand, so he decided to be silent. A very high Being, not of this realm, saw this and came to him, asking him to speak for those few who were ready to hear and understand. Without His speaking, these willing ones may miss their opportunity. Also He was once asked why He performed practices even though He was awakened. He replied that He used to do the practices, Now they happened on their own accord. Peace
2007-08-10 15:54:47 · answer #2 · answered by Premaholic 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
To the Buddha, losing desire refers to indulgence in power or vast possessions. The Buddhas teachings were based on peace, altruism, and common welfare for all living beings.
2007-08-10 16:00:44 · answer #3 · answered by Jay Dub 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In the same Jesus preached of humility as virtue while his disciples were adamant that he was the son of God: the students often take their teacher's lessons to places that weren't originally intended. I doubt Buddha wanted people to follow his way of life at all (except in a fleeting hope that all men would eventually return to Nirvana), and I also do not believe that Buddha declared that he had actually attained sufficient enlightenment to end Samsara, but I am not sure.
2007-08-10 15:53:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Losing all desire refers to letting go of the material world and transcending it. He believed that life in the spiritual world is better. If a person doesn't become enlightened during life, he or she will be reincarnated endlessly. Once you reach enlightenment, you stop reincarnating and cease to exist. He wanted to spread enlightenment to others to make them happy and free them from selfish desires.
2007-08-10 15:52:59 · answer #5 · answered by Graciela, RIRS 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
What then would be the point to be awake and alone? He could have done just that but rationalized that by bringing enlightenment to others he was doing good by the people showing them the way to true Nirvana. It's actually a sign of a benevolent being who finds their true selves and then shows others the way that they may do the same.
I will ring your doorbell and run away!!!
2007-08-10 15:52:30 · answer #6 · answered by ♥Satan♥Lord♥of♥Flames♥ 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
After spending all that time figuring out how to become enlightened, you'd pay that info on to anyone who asks, wouldn't you? You would have to DESIRE to do nothing to ignore questions about your path.
2007-08-10 15:53:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Desire causes suffering. This is wayyyy too complicated to get into but the concept of removing desire is always misunderstood. If you want something badly it causes you a certain amount of suffering. If you can view something more objectively and enjoy it at the same time then you've really achieved something. It was not a religion as he said he was not god. You need to hone up on your Buddhism, friend. He did die, duh.
2007-08-10 15:52:04 · answer #8 · answered by Yogini 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
To tell others how they can become enlightened?
2007-08-10 15:50:24 · answer #9 · answered by Le BigMac 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Being unattached to success or failure does not mean you do not recognize the utility of helping others to end their suffering.
2007-08-10 15:54:25 · answer #10 · answered by Lao Pu 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
you're taking the loss of desire too literally. if he truly lost all desire he would have died from exhaustion and lack of food/water. clearly it was more of a loss of "impure" desire.
he still may have had the desire to teach.
2007-08-10 15:51:31 · answer #11 · answered by sandman 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋