I am new to Goenkas style and teachings. One of the things I like but also makes me feel a little tetchy is how he implies that Sotāpanna is relatively easily accessible. In fact much of what I have read and heard seems to imply that Nibbana is just around the corner.
I mean its inspiring but is it realistic?
Goenka and Sotāpanna
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Monkey Mind
- Posts: 538
- Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2009 8:56 pm
- Location: Pacific Northwest, USA
Re: Goenka and Sotāpanna
Hmmm... I have never interpreted Mr. Goenka's words as implying it is easy. He repeatedly and overtly states that it is a lifetime endeavor, and one that requires hard work and diligence. The good news, according to him, is that stream-entry is possible for a lay person, if they are willing to work for it.
I am wondering, which quote(s) have you that impression?
I am wondering, which quote(s) have you that impression?
"As I am, so are others;
as others are, so am I."
Having thus identified self and others,
harm no one nor have them harmed.
Sutta Nipāta 3.710
as others are, so am I."
Having thus identified self and others,
harm no one nor have them harmed.
Sutta Nipāta 3.710
Re: Goenka and Sotāpanna
I second monkey mind's observations.
Kind regards,
Ben
Kind regards,
Ben
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
Re: Goenka and Sotāpanna
Maybe I am misinterpreting him. I think I may have got most of it from 'The Art of Living'.Monkey Mind wrote:Hmmm... I have never interpreted Mr. Goenka's words as implying it is easy. He repeatedly and overtly states that it is a lifetime endeavor, and one that requires hard work and diligence. The good news, according to him, is that stream-entry is possible for a lay person, if they are willing to work for it.
I am wondering, which quote(s) have you that impression?
Re: Goenka and Sotāpanna
Have you attended your first 10-day course yet, Myotai? Do so, it will help you understand many little things that cannot be appreciated by merely reading books and articles.Myotai wrote:Maybe I am misinterpreting him. I think I may have got most of it from 'The Art of Living'.
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TheNoBSBuddhist
- Posts: 1614
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- Location: Loch Lomond, via the High AND Low road....
Re: Goenka and Sotāpanna
I expect what he may mean that it's 'simple', but I would opine that in this instance, 'simple' certainly does not imply 'easy'.....Myotai wrote:I am new to Goenkas style and teachings. One of the things I like but also makes me feel a little tetchy is how he implies that Sotāpanna is relatively easily accessible. In fact much of what I have read and heard seems to imply that Nibbana is just around the corner.
I mean its inspiring but is it realistic?
We 'Simply' have to drop attachment.
We 'simply' have to 'end' suffering.
We 'simply' have to completely accept and live by the 4NT, the 8Fold Path and the 5/8 precepts (as laypersons).
we 'simply' have to meditate.
We 'simply' have to embrace the Brahma~Viharas.
All this - is 'simple'.
But 'Easy'.....?
I really do not think so!
Last edited by TheNoBSBuddhist on Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
You will not be punished FOR your 'emotions'; you will be punished BY your 'emotions'.
Pay attention, simplify, and (Meditation instruction in a nutshell) "Mind - the Gap."
‘Absit invidia verbo’ - may ill-will be absent from the word. And mindful of that, if I don't respond, this may be why....
Re: Goenka and Sotāpanna
No not yet and I suspect you're right.Weakfocus wrote:Have you attended your first 10-day course yet, Myotai? Do so, it will help you understand many little things that cannot be appreciated by merely reading books and articles.Myotai wrote:Maybe I am misinterpreting him. I think I may have got most of it from 'The Art of Living'.
I should emphasise that my OP wasn't in any way a criticism, just an observation as to how I was interpreting things.
