A
alitaptap
Guest
Why is this?
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C
Contarini
Guest
Because his ego had been extinguished and there was no causal chain initiated by his actions that could result in the formation of a new person in another life.Why is this?
I think we need to step back and discuss why Buddhists believe rebirth happens in the first place. It’s the result of craving, which leads the consciousness (after death) to form a new personality. Once craving is extinguished, there is no chain of cause and effect to lead to a new existence. The consciousness is “freed” into Nirvana–which you can’t describe or meaningfully talk about. That’s what happened to Gautama.
In the Mahayana perspective, as I understand it, it’s a bit more complicated (because they don’t think that Gautama really needed enlightenment for himself). But they build on Theravada ideas, so it’s easier to give the Theravada response.
Edwin
F
Fox
Guest
If you don’t have any past memories of a former life does that mean you are low on the path to enlightenment or a new person on the journey? How do you know you’ve reached Nirvana?
C
Contarini
Guest
I think Buddhists believe that at a certain (quite advanced) point in one’s journey to enlightenment one gains the ability to remember previous lives, but it’s more of a byproduct–not important in itself. As I understand it, there are meditations that you can do in order to gain this knowledge if you really want to.If you don’t have any past memories of a former life does that mean you are low on the path to enlightenment or a new person on the journey?
I think Buddhists would say that that’s a nonsense question.How do you know you’ve reached Nirvana?
Edwin
R
rossum
Guest
Visuddhimagga, Chapter 13, paragraph 22 onwards gives the explanation.As I understand it, there are meditations that you can do in order to gain this knowledge if you really want to.
rossum
A
Ahimsa
Guest
Nope. You might be pretty advanced spiritually, and not have many, or any, past-life memories.If you don’t have any past memories of a former life does that mean you are low on the path to enlightenment or a new person on the journey?
In addition, you might have life experiences, but not realize that those are in fact a result of past-lives. Some of your dreams might be the sparks of a past-life. Or, you might meet someone and think that somehow you’ve known them all your life – and it may be the case that you two had past-life associations. Or maybe you have a deep love or sympathy for a certain language or culture, indicating past-life connections.
If you are free from lust, hatred, and delusion, then you have realized Nirvana. Of course, lust, hatred, and delusion are very good at hiding themselves, and then popping up when you’ve think you’ve become free of them, so realizing Nirvana is not a walk in the park.How do you know you’ve reached Nirvana?
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