Enlightenment

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At present there are 46 entries in this list.

Source / Teacher
Day
Index
Question
Special Retreat Thailand July 2003
Steve
4
2
How can I know whether I am enlightened or not?
Ref: 2003.07.x.04.02
Written answer
- Enlightenment
Special Retreat Germany September 2014
Steve
18
1
What do you think about the statement in the scriptures that a woman can not become a Buddha? What about Terra, she became enlightened without a teacher as well in Tibetan Buddhism?
Ref: 2014.09.x.18.01
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2014
Steve
12
12
I understand that everything is impermanent and I try to develop equanimity in order to deepen the understanding that we can not control everything. I also understand that the wish to control and to master is selfish and it is desirable to let it go. Departing from this reflection I have a question. If we can not identify a stable self (non-self) then I shouldn't try to master myself? Although mindfulness rarely focuses on letting go, Buddhism teaches to be aware of feelings, mindsets etc. in order to gradually transform them. My question is, if this is actually not a form of mastering myself, do I understand mindfulness wrongly or is this a contradiction with which we have to deal with in our practice? Dealing with it by, for example, accepting that we will not fully understand ourselves as we change constantly and will not fully control ourselves but try to explore ourselves as good as possible in order to allow ourselves transformation.
Ref: 2014.09.x.12.12
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2014
Steve
18
4
In a biography of the Buddha I read that he left his wife and son and family to seek Wisdom and enlightenment. For a normal person that would be considered blamable, why not for the Buddha?
Ref: 2014.09.x.18.04
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2014
Rosemary
17
8
What is the meaning of "partly enlightened"?
Ref: 2014.09.x.17.08
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2014
Rosemary
17
5
Did I get that right? Some human beings have no potential for enlightenment? Does that mean impermanence forever, impermanence, impermanence? Sounds like a paradox.
Ref: 2014.09.x.17.05
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2014
Steve
12
8
What does letting go of the ego mean? Why is it important and why do we do it?
Ref: 2014.09.x.12.08
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2010
Rosemary
6
1
I understand that Buddha said for becoming enlightened the human condition is best, is this right? Can you talk more about this.
Ref: 2010.09.x.06.01
Written answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2010
Steve
8
7
Rosemary gave a picture of a person who is ambitious and wants to climb a mountain constantly looking up to the peak with longing. If I compare myself with this picture, I get doubt. I almost never look up to the peak when I'm thinking of Enlightment. I am happy with my life, I am using methods to increase wisdom and to better prepare myself whenever Dukkha comes. Is this a wrong view if I am not being ambitious enough in my approach?
Ref: 2010.09.x.08.07
Written answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2010
Steve
8
3
Is it right to say that the Compassionate wish, "May they free themselves from all Dukkha", indicates that they will be a Buddha or an Arahant? And on the way to the ending of all Dukkha, many others would benefit, as well?
Ref: 2010.09.x.08.03
Written answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2017
Steve
16
21
Can you please talk a bit more about the Seven Factors of Enlightenment?
Ref: 2017.07.x.16.21
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2017
Rosemary
15
10
Is there any difference between the enlightenment of the Buddha and other people? Are there stories about their teachings in the scriptures?
Ref: 2017.07.x.15.10
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2017
Steve
14
5
Many Eastern and Western Buddhist teachers find it important to stress that Enlightenment is possible in this very lifetime. The Buddha also stressed that especially in the Satipatthana practice, for example. I find this to be motivating and empowering, why do you disagree? Would you say that all teachers and practitioners who claim stages of Enlightenment or do not experience suffering anymore are deluded?
Ref: 2017.07.x.14.05
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2017
Steve
16
5
Do you have an idea of how one can be enlightened and unable to teach?
Ref: 2017.07.x.16.05
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2017
Steve
18
6
So, what am I doing with the understanding of not-self, not taking everything so personally?
Ref: 2017.07.x.18.06
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2015
Rosemary
15
11
Please tell us which order the hindrances disappear to get enlightened.
Ref: 2015.07.x.15.11
Audio answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2008
Rosemary
2
8
As I recall, Steve has stated that if Moral Shame and Moral Dread are perfected, it could be the same as being enlightened. Could you please explain how the perfection or development of these two things lead to the necessary eradication of all desires, aversions and ignorance of reality that is necessary for enlightenment?
Ref: 2008.01.x.02.08
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2008
Steve
5
5
How to work on Moral Shame and Moral Dread?
Ref: 2008.01.x.05.05
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2010
Rosemary
15
7
If you are no longer in the cycle of life and death when you become enlightened, then what happens to you? Do you live forever? What did the Buddha describe enlightenment to be like?
Ref: 2010.01.x.15.07
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2010
Steve
12
2
What did the Buddha mean when he said, "By confidence one crosses the cycle of birth and death?"
Ref: 2010.01.x.12.02
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2010
Steve
16
18
Is it important or helpful to have knowledge of path moments, nanas, etc. as a road map; as some people say?
Ref: 2010.01.x.16.18
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2010
Rosemary
15
1
What does enlightenment exactly mean? Should it be our goal?
Ref: 2010.01.x.15.01
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2010
Rosemary
17
1
If people became enlightened just by listening to Buddha, how come Ananda didn't become enlightened until after he died, if he was so close to the Buddha?
Ref: 2010.01.x.17.01
Written answer
- Ananda
- Enlightenment
Special Retreat Thailand January 2010
Rosemary
17
6
How are people only partly enlightened? I thought it was all or nothing. Wouldn't anyone who has some insight be partly enlightened then?
Ref: 2010.01.x.17.06
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2003
Steve
4
12
What does enlightenment mean?
Ref: 2003.01.x.04.12
Written answer
- Enlightenment
- Nibbana
Special Retreat Thailand January 2003
Steve
8
4
Do you believe that someone can attain enlightenment without encountering the Buddha Dhamma in that particular lifetime, in other words, Hindus, Christians? Do you believe there are currently enlightened beings in Thailand or the wider Buddhist Sangha?
Ref: 2003.01.x.08.04
Written answer
- Enlightenment
Special Retreat Thailand January 2009
Rosemary
7
5
I was raised with the Western idea of marriage, that it is a union "till death do us part". Considering relationships and spiritual compatibility, can you discuss how, or if the concept of marriage is appropriate to our practice? Also assuming we have not yet met a person who follows the same path, should we still date or is this just increasing Dukkha?
Ref: 2009.01.x.07.05
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand July 2011
Rosemary
7
6
In the Triple Gem could you please discuss how to reflect on the Sangha. Also I have heard people forming a Sangha. What does this mean?
Ref: 2011.07.x.07.06
Audio answer
Special Retreat Thailand July 2011
Steve
3
12
What is enlightenment? How can we get there without wanting to get there? Is the wish to become enlightened wrong? Desire
Ref: 2011.07.x.03.12
Audio answer
Special Retreat Thailand July 2011
Rosemary
7
2
Could you please explain how to reflect about how the hindrances will not arise again in the future?
Ref: 2011.07.x.07.02
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2019
Steve
18
24
If I calculate how many people got enlightened since the Buddha taught, and how many people were on earth since then, the wish for all beings to become enlightened seems completely unrealistic. How to deal with that? Is it only a trick in the mind?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.24
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2019
Steve
12
17
According to the scriptures, is there something like a final and global defeat of Mara by all beings or is it an eternal cycle were Mara can only be defeated individually by a person becoming enlightened?
Ref: 2019.07.x.12.17
Audio answer
Special Retreat Thailand July 2005
Rosemary
6
4
Why does the belief in God hinder enlightenment?
Ref: 2005.07.x.06.04
Written answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2009
Steve
8
6
What does it mean being half enlightened or being fully enlightened? At which point is it good to become a part of the noble Sangha?
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.06
Written answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2009
Steve
8
9
Is enlightenment impermanent?
Ref: 2009.09.x.08.09
Written answer
- Enlightenment
Special Retreat Germany September 2004
Steve
3
3
To me, the goal of enlightenment is a bit abstract. How can we use it in a practical way in our daily practice? And, are there any enlightened people in the world, do you know any?
Ref: 2004.09.x.03.03
Written answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2018
Steve
13
19
Investigation into mental objects is a enlightenment factor, wise reflection is to develop right view. So, is investigating into mental objects, is not that wise reflection? When to apply what?
Ref: 2018.07.x.13.19
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2018
Rosemary
18
3
How can reading help increase wisdom?
Ref: 2018.07.x.18.03
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2018
Rosemary
15
8
If I would take the formal practice as you taught to a cave and meditate there for ten years without seeing anybody, then die in the cave, would this practice be of benefit for all beings? Is there a common mind that gets purified?
Ref: 2018.07.x.15.08
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2018
Steve
13
1
Are there ways of enlightenment in the meaning of as much individuals in the world as much ways of enlightenment there are? Or is there only one way which one has to go each step in the same alignment as everybody?
Ref: 2018.07.x.13.01
Audio answer
- Enlightenment
- Purification
Special Retreat Germany July 2018
Steve
11
10
What if a Bodhisattva breaks his vow and becomes an Arahant, would he or she know about this and what could be a possible result?
Ref: 2018.07.x.11.10
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2018
Rosemary
12
11
Can you please talk about right effort, I feel that my effort for the past few years has been very goal orientated: "When I am finally enlightened". This continual striving for some future state is proving to be exhausting.
Ref: 2018.07.x.12.11
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2018
Rosemary
16
10
It seems the only level of enlightenment I need to concern myself within my lifetime as a layperson is a stream-entry. Can you talk about this please? This seem a very difficult stage to reach in this age of decline. How common is stream-entry?
Ref: 2018.07.x.16.10
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2018
Steve
13
7
What is the difference between Enlightenment and Buddhahood? Can one be awakened without necessarily being a Buddha?
Ref: 2018.07.x.13.07
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2018
Steve
14
15
If you would meet a men or women who was enlightened, would you recognize him or her as an enlightened person?
Ref: 2018.07.x.14.15
Audio answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2005
Rosemary
6
14
In the Buddha's time, Arahants seem to have sprung up on every street corner. How come so few people become enlightened today, presumably using the same methods?
Ref: 2005.01.x.06.14
Written answer