Greetings Kiss
i've read about a few posts in replying to this thread and they put off the idea of rebirth in heaven. it just makes me wonder where does their mis-placed confidence come from?
Its not nesicarily mis-placed confidence, just a different understanding of what Samsara and Rebirth actualy means (and so heaven and hell etc). Instead of being physical places, some see them as mind states. Even if rebirth and heaven were real and physical after death, it would be undesirable since becoming anything anywhere is bound with Dukkha
the goal in Buddhism is clear-cut, to perfect oneself for the final attainment - Nibbana. but that does not mean all practicing buddhists will attain Nibbana in this very lifetime. it's a gradual training over many lifetimes.
I havent read a sutta (in the pali canon) that states it will take many lifetimes for nibbana
i believe alot of people here are lay buddhists, right? for lay buddhists following the theravada tradition in this forum here, may i ask what are your practices? do you incorporate your practices into your daily lives? if so, do you really have confidence that in this very lifetime, you can gain liberation from rebirth in samsara?
I do incorporate the Buddhadhamma into every part of my daily life. For my practice I do meditation everyday (mostly mindfulness of Body but starting Foulness of the Body now as well) for roughly and hour, sometime hour and 45 and during weekends i sometimes fit in an extra 20-30min session as well. I make sure that everyday i keep my 5 precepts (as best as i can), i also recite my precepts and refuge in the tripple gem. I also study the suttas throughly, roughly about 5 days out of seven. I also try to incorporate mindfulness whilst i am at work and doing my everyday household duties. Im also starting to make an effort to follow strict celibacy and i also try to give Dana when i have enough funds to do so. Im also making an effort to deepen my practice by attending retreats now (have my first one in June
) and lastly i also listen to Dhamma talks (although i havent done this as much as of late)
In reguards to your last question, there is no "I" gaining liberation. We practice to remove all Dukkha in the here and now and not for some future life, so i dont see why nibbana cant "happen now", as long as one practices
my understanding is that if i continue my practice, my next destination after i pass away could be rebirth as a human or better still, in the realm of devas. is there anything wrong with that?
Nothing wrong with trying to better oneself, but that wont lead to nibbana since its bound up with self view, my answer would be why wait for some future life when there is Dukkha in the here and now that needs to be removed?
i'm more put off with people parroting the more subtle Higher Teachings of BuddhaDhamma without applying even one simple teaching in their real lives. i do hope learning buddhists can understand people have different spiritual capacity and their approach to Buddhism come from all walks of life.
I agree
it's more helpful to show tolerance and encouragement for people on different paths then writing insensitive comments based on their own biased thinking.
I dont think anyone here was trying to be insensitive
ok.. guess i'm done. sorry for the nagging. above are just my own personal POV. i apologize again for any insolent remarks that i made. and thank you all for showing support to mr lee's effort
I didnt see any insolent remarks
Metta