The "All we perceive is an illusion" philosophy held by Eastern religions. How?

[BenSinner]

This is one aspect of Eastern spirituality that simply does not make sense at all to believe in.

“All we perceive is an illusion.”

But this belief in itself is based on perceptions. The people who came up with this belief base the truth of it on their perceptions that such people as Buddha, Krishna, etc. existed in real life and witnessed them achieving these accomplishments of Nirvana, the same way Christians perceived a real Jesus resurrecting from the dead . They saw them with their own eyes, heard them with their own ears, touched them with their own hands, etc. etc…but these senses are supposed to be ‘misconceived’

Eastern religions apologists teach dharma to people, but how can these people really know it’s actually the dharma since they are receiving these teachings through sense perception, subjective logic, subjective judgement, etc.?

What is the point of Buddhists and Hindus becoming doctors, teachers, philosophers, business men, etc. when all these careers require perceptions of what a disease is, what is a correct answer, what is wealth, etc.?

"The senses are deluded, our logic and reasoning is deluded. Nothing is what it seems. The only way to see through it all is to attain enlightenment."

I had to use my sense of ‘deluded’ sight to see this message. I had to use my ‘deluded’ logic and reasoning to believe this message is logical and within reason to begin with. I have to believe this message IS what it seems.

Either this is contradictory and makes no sense at all, or I have just been taking something too literally with these teachings, or perhaps I’ve just completely misunderstood the context.

I would like for those who believe in Eastern religions to clarify all of this for me if they could, please.

 

[openmind77]

Many physicists/scientists believe the world is an illusion. Maybe they will be able to explain it to you better?

 

[Vico]

This is one aspect of Eastern spirituality that simply does not make sense at all to believe in.

“All we perceive is an illusion.”…

Similarly for Christians.

1 Cor 13:

10 But when that which is perfect shall come, that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But when I became a man, I put away the things of a child.
12 We see now through a glass in an obscure manner: but then face to face. Now I know I part: but then I shall know even as I am known.

Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 11. When I was a child. I, like you, formerly judged of the goodness and excellency of these spiritual gifts by the advantages the procured; but after the Almighty had bestowed upon me his particular light, my opinion was far otherwise. Prophecy, and the gifts of languages are certainly very estimable gifts, yet charity is much more excellent. (Calmet)
— It is by charity we approach near to God, that we become his true image. Can we, then, wonder at the magnificent praises, glorious prerogatives, and surprising effects St. Paul gives to this all necessary virtue?

 

[PaladinSword]

This is more a philosophy question than a theology question but sure…

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[TheButler]

“The senses are deluded, our logic and reasoning is deluded. Nothing is what it seems. The only way to see through it all is to attain enlightenment.”

I don’t ‘believe’ in Eastern religions but I appreciate them. I have done the following in a Zen temple in Japan.

Spend an hour looking only at a single point as Zen Buddhists do. You are not allowed to move and you certainly can’t sleep. If you move you will be hit on the shoulder hard with a stick.

During that time the fixed point, typically a knot of wood in the temple wall, will become your reality. Failure to do so will result in pain and being admonished.

When looking at the knot you have two options: to analyse the knot or to allow your mind to wander. Invariably the latter results in movement and pain. So, you learn to analyse the knot.

Does the knot affect your reality? Is the knot a part of your reality? What is your relationship with the knot?

When the session is finished everyone eats together. It’s amazing how hungry you are and the food tastes so good even though it is just a vegetable broth with a few mountain leaves and root vegetables. Why are you hungry? Did the knot make you hungry? You’ve not moved so it’s not through physical exertion. And why is such simple food so good, to the point, for me, it was probably the best meal of my life and I can almost still taste it 30 years later?

I’m still trying to work out why staring at a knot of wood with the threat of pain allowed me to enjoy a simple meal so much. I guess if I do then I am enlightened. There is certainly nothing in Western philosophy or religion to answer the question.

 

[Gorgias]

It’s amazing how hungry you are and the food tastes so good even though it is just a vegetable broth with a few mountain leaves and root vegetables. Why are you hungry? Did the knot make you hungry? You’ve not moved so it’s not through physical exertion. And why is such simple food so good, to the point, for me, it was probably the best meal of my life and I can almost still taste it 30 years later?

When you’re really hungry, food tastes really good.

Forcing your body to not move at all really is physical exertion! So, yeah… lots of physical exertion there!

And, there was lots of mental exertion, too!

So… it makes perfect sense that, following intense physical and mental concentration and exertion, you’d be really hungry, and really happy to eat!

I’m still trying to work out why staring at a knot of wood with the threat of pain allowed me to enjoy a simple meal so much. I guess if I do then I am enlightened. There is certainly nothing in Western philosophy or religion to answer the question.

No enlightenment necessary. Just a bit of thought…

 

[TheButler]

So… it makes perfect sense that, following intense physical and mental concentration and exertion, you’d be really hungry, and really happy to eat!

Funny. I never felt hungry after sitting a three hour maths exam…

 

[Gorgias]

Funny. I never felt hungry after sitting a three hour maths exam…

Were you at risk of getting smacked with a stick if you dared move while taking the test?

 

[RebeccaJ]

I’m RC now but at one time considiered Hinduism. Eastern Philosophies do not teach or adhere to nihilism. Nihilism is such that you describe, that is, there is no moral value to anything. Buddhism has a clearly defined morality, the Eightfold Path.

In addition, Eastern Philosophies do not teach that everything is an illusion. The doctrine of impermanence is that all things come into existence and all things dissolve, ceasing to exist. Thus the associated practice of detachment, the teaching being, it is pointless to be attached to the impermanent.

Westerners tend to overstate detachment, we view things so on or off. But the kicker in Eastern Philosophy is, focusing too much on one thing, is being attached to that thing. So one can be attached to detachment.

So you will hear the term the Middle Way, which is living, thinking, being, in the moment. “Being” a thing Westerners also generally don’t get, as we view everything as “doing”.

Detachment is a way to “be” not a thing to “do”. Following the morality of Buddha, the Eightfold Path, is what you become, not what you do.

The illusion aspect comes from a Western view of doing, rather than being, essentially.