September 17, 2009
- Shunryu Suzuki Roshi on Nirvana -
For us, just now, we have some fear of death, but after we resume our true original nature, there is Nirvana. That is why we say “to attain Nirvana is to pass away”. “To pass away” is not a very adequate expression. Perhaps “to pass on” or “to go on” or “to join” would be better. Will you try to find some better expression for death? When you find it, you will have quite a new interpretation of your life!
See also Shinzen Young On Enlightenment:
In this regard I tend to go towards my Buddhist background. Scholastic Theravada Buddhism says that three things go away at the initial experience of enlightenment. It’s very significant that it’s put in terms of an elimination process; something goes away, rather than an attainment, a “getting” of something. So enlightenment is not yet another thing that you have to get. And meditation as a path to enlightenment could be described as merely setting the stage for Nature/Grace to eliminate from you what needs to be eliminated.
Comment by Ian — September 17, 2009 @ 11:25 am