I have always wondered – and I am sure there are many others who do too – if there really are enlightened beings today! And just like anyone else, I have my own “model(s)” of enlightenment which I constantly use in order to evaluate the writings and teachings of so-called “masters”. It is a very tricky business, and for quite some time I have been very much aware of the severe limitations I impose upon myself by using those models: how can I even have a model of enlightenment if I don’t know what enlightenment means. This is even more problematic considering the fact that there is a growing consensus now that “enlightenment” is not the correct term to use; rather, “awakening” is more accurate!
So, with the above in mind, when I listened to this particular show/podcast titled “Enlightened Teachers” on Buddhist Geeks, wherein Daniel M. Ingram talks about arahatships and the like, my mind was immediately drawn to the topic in discussion. What is particularly striking is the fact that Daniel claims he is an arahat/arahant and writes more about it in this essay. He seems to be able to cut all that crap about enlightenment that one hears from different sources (including tradition) and talk directly to the practitioner. The feeling one gets is that it is possible, after all!
The show is just 12 mins long and the essay isn’t too long either. I would be interested in any kind of comment/feedback from readers of this blog. Thanks!
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May 7, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Vince Horn
Hi Vishal,
Having benefited tremendously from Daniel’s perspective and having had made real progress by following his suggestions, I can say that his perspective is indeed empowering, realistic, and useful. It does cut through most of the crap, and in it’s place gives something that is absolutely doable. As one of Daniel’s good friends (a fellow arhant) was fond of saying, “If you do the Buddha’s practice you will get enlightened.” It doesn’t get more straight-forward than that.
Best,
-Vince Horn
May 7, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Vishal Lama
Hi Vince,
It is awfully nice of you to leave a feedback here and it is really great having a “Buddhist Geek” share his thoughts on a topic that is so central to one’s practice. I used to find almost all accounts of Buddha’s enlightenment completely antithetical to science, which is of course a marvelous achievement of modern human thought: one cannot simply give up science to believe in supernatural events just like that, after all! Reading Daniel is very refreshing, on the other hand. Here is someone who makes sense! I have just begun reading Daniel’s book, and I intend to incorporate his “practical tips” into my own practice now.
Once again, thanks for your comment. And kudos to your team members and you for doing such an excellent job on Buddhist Geeks!
Best,
Vishal
May 12, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Todd Trimble
Yes, Buddhist Geeks does look like a very nice website; thanks for bringing it to our attention!
I can definitely relate to the theme of this post: for a number of years I was a member of a zendo led by an individual who is an officially recognized Dharma holder in the Rinzai Zen line, but which dissolved in large part due to reactions to his ethical behavior (basically thinking with his dick, not to put too fine a point on it) which led to a number of people getting badly hurt, like his wife and certain female members of the zendo. I had been part of this group for a number of years, and having invested a fair amount of time and money in the zendo, I too felt a certain sense of betrayal, and thought, “Even if this guy has received Dharma transmission and is considered a master in the lineage, he still hasn’t incorporated Zen in his daily life — why should I continue following him and supporting him monetarily?” And so, I didn’t.
Phrases like “master”, “Dharma holder”, “enlightened beings” are of course loaded, weighted down by people’s projections and expectations, and for that reason need to be toned down a bit. You could say that although this guy was “messed up” from one point of view, from another it was quite apparent that he had tremendous phenomenological experience with meditation, and to this day I expect he had authentic and rigorously tested experience of kensho. I have no doubt whatsoever that I could have learned a great deal more from this guy had the zendo (or I!) continued.
People who have fully taken the inner meaning of Zen into their minute-by-minute lives are naturally extremely rare, and generally speaking, one has to just accept that and ourselves as we are: “screwed-up” human beings, but if we work at it, there is the possibility of waking up a bit. I’d say there are people you can still learn from even if they mess up from time to time, and anyway: bottom line is that it all starts at home; don’t worry about other people’s screw-ups. For nearly everyone it’s pretty slow going, so just be patient, and keep at it!
Hm… maybe I’m trying to tell myself something!
May 12, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Vishal Lama
For nearly everyone it’s pretty slow going, so just be patient, and keep at it!
Todd, I think you are onto something!
May 23, 2008 at 6:14 pm
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