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To: alt.zen,talk.religion.buddhism From: fcp@traveller.com (Dharman Craig Presson) Subject: Re: Qualities of Enlightened Behavior Date: 14 Dec 1995 17:08:55 GMT In article, zwaagstr@ppsw.rug.nl (R. ZWAAGSTRA) says... > >In article Chris C >hristian writes: >>Subject: Qualities of Enlightened Behavior >>From: Chris Christian >>Date: Tue, 12 Dec 1995 20:25:03 MST > >>Dear Fellow Readers: > >>I am making a list, please help? >> >>How do you know when someone is an enlightened being? >>How is a being judged to be enlightened? What is the process? >>If all beings are enlightened from the start, do we just not realize it? That is exactly it. Years of living with the peculiar view that we are an isolated person that lives in a particular body, and in fact vigorously defending this view, reduces our ability to see the whole. >>What behaviors are evident if we "realize" enlightenment? > >>1. Compassion >>2. peacefulness >>3. calm >>4. What do you think? >>5. >>6. > >>Thank you for your help. > >>___Christine > [I'm skipping over Ronald to get to Christine because her post has not arrived at my site] Christine, There are many enumerations of marks of an enlightened being, fruits of practice of the Way, etc., in the Sutras. Many of them border on the incomprehensible, others are obviously mythological, and some are useful. The common denominator that is agreed upon by all schools are the Six Paramitas, or Perfections: 1. Dana paramita, charity or giving. This is like the Christian caritas, and is not just giving to the United Way when they call, but includes opening one's heart to the demands of the moment and the needs of the sentient beings around one. This is why it is first and fundamental. 2. Sila paramita, morality and virtue. Externally, this paramita is identified with keeping the precepts but if we just keep precepts in a mechanical way, while still harboring the greed, aversion, and delusion that give rise to immorality, this is not enlightened action. 3. Shanti paramita, patience, endurance. Samsaara is a twisty maze and it's tempting to try to force ourselves or others on the path, but this just kicks up more karmic dirt (Buddhist karma is still karma, I have to keep reminding myself). 4. Virya paramita, energy, enthusiasm, courage. Following on from Shanti, this perfection is an obvious mark of a good teacher. Zen Master Seung Sahn, continuing to fly around the world and spread the Dharma, leaving behind a retinue of doctors telling him to retire and take it easy, is a dramatic example. 5. Dhyana paramita, concentration/meditatation. This of course is subtle. But intuitively you can sense the presence of mind, collectedness, and imperturbability that follow from deep practice. In the direct presence of a Master, it can be sensed immediately. (Dhyana is the Sanskrit word that by way of Chinese "Ch'an-na" to "Ch'an" became the familiar Japanese "Zen".) 6. Prajna paramita, the perfection of non-dual wisdom. This is both the crown and the foundation of the Paramitas. Proverbially indescribable in words, while in no sense hidden, etc. Since it is the subject of buildings full of sutras, I will violate #4 by not trying to define it further here. There was nothing wrong with the items on your list, but you'll find them all covered here, in terms already familiar to many.
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