What is Buddhist Awakening?

Summary

In this video, Doug Smith from the Secular Buddhist Association explores the concept of Awakening in Buddhism. He discusses the traditional goal of ending the cycle of rebirths and the overcoming of three negative tendencies: greed and hatred, the desire for immortality, and ignorance. Smith suggests that while complete Awakening may be an empirical question, progress along this path is achievable through practice and insight. He also touches on the bodhisattva ideal, which emphasizes helping others achieve Awakening and aligns with engaged Buddhism's focus on societal change.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video discusses the concept of Awakening in Buddhism, particularly within a secular context.
• 🙏 The iconic representation of Buddha's Awakening is the 'bhumisparsha mudra' or Earth-touching gesture, symbolizing the Earth as a witness to his enlightenment.
• 🌟 Traditionally, Awakening ends the cycle of rebirths, which is significant in early Buddhist tradition and many religious forms of Buddhism today.
• 🌱 The process of Awakening involves uprooting three negative tendencies known as 'asavas': greed and hatred, desire for immortality, and ignorance.
• 🍃 Overcoming the first asava involves addressing unhealthy desires, such as greed for unnecessary things and hatred towards injustice or harm.
• 🌈 The second asava, 'bhavasava', relates to the desire for immortality and the fear of death, which are seen as problematic in Buddhist philosophy.
• 🔍 The third asava, 'avijjasava', is about overcoming ignorance, particularly the belief in permanence in a world where everything is impermanent.
• 🧘‍♂️ Awakening is characterized by equanimity towards life's experiences, including the inevitability of death, sickness, and old age.
• 🤔 The video questions whether complete Awakening is achievable, suggesting it may be more about progress along a path rather than reaching an endpoint.
• 🌐 The bodhisattva ideal from Mahayana Buddhism involves postponing one's Awakening to help others achieve it, reflecting a shift towards social change and engagement in the world.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is the Buddhist notion of Awakening, particularly within the context of early Buddhism and secular Buddhism.

Who is Doug Smith and what is his role?

Doug Smith is the study director at the Secular Buddhist Association, and he discusses the concept of Awakening in the context of secular Buddhism.

What is the significance of the Buddha's hand gesture in early Buddhist art?

The Buddha's hand gesture, known as the bhumisparsha mudra or Earth touching gesture, symbolizes his calling the Earth to witness his Awakening. It is an iconic representation of Buddhist Awakening.

What are the three negative tendencies or 'asavas' that one must overcome to achieve Awakening?

The three negative tendencies or 'asavas' that one must overcome to achieve Awakening are: 1) Kamasava, the desire for pleasure and the avoidance of pain, which can manifest as greed and hatred. 2) Bhavasava, the desire for immortality or non-existence, which includes the fear of death and suicidal tendencies. 3) Avijjasava, ignorance of the true nature of reality, which encompasses the other two and involves a misunderstanding of the impermanence of life.

How does the video differentiate between healthy and unhealthy desires?

Healthy desires are those that are necessary for survival and well-being, such as the desire for food, water, and justice. Unhealthy desires are those driven by ego and the pursuit of unnecessary pleasures or the avoidance of pain, which can lead to greed and hatred.

What is the role of equanimity in the process of Awakening?

Equanimity plays a crucial role in Awakening as it involves accepting the impermanence and uncertainty of life, including the inevitability of death, without clinging to the desire for immortality or the avoidance of existence.

What is the bodhisattva ideal mentioned in the video?

The bodhisattva ideal, originating from Mahayana Buddhism, is the concept of beings who delay their own Awakening to help others achieve it. This ideal emphasizes the importance of compassion and the active engagement in alleviating the suffering of others.

How does the video suggest one can progress towards Awakening?

The video suggests that through practice, such as meditation, and insight into one's own experiences, one can develop a better relationship with negative tendencies like greed and hatred, and work towards minimizing them.

What is the difference between early Buddhist and Mahayana Buddhist perspectives on Awakening as presented in the video?

Early Buddhism focuses on personal Awakening through the overcoming of negative tendencies and ignorance, while Mahayana Buddhism introduces the bodhisattva ideal, which emphasizes social engagement and helping others achieve Awakening.

How does the video address the practicality of achieving complete Awakening?

The video acknowledges that complete Awakening, where one is devoid of greed and hatred, may be an empirical question and not necessarily achievable by all. However, it emphasizes the importance of making progress on the path towards Awakening through practice and insight.

What is the relevance of the bodhisattva ideal in modern secular Buddhism?

In modern secular Buddhism, the bodhisattva ideal is relevant as it encourages a focus on social change and helping to alleviate the suffering in the world, aligning with the engaged Buddhism movement that seeks to apply Buddhist principles to societal issues.