What is the fastest way to reach enlightenment?
score:6
You're probably thinking of the Bahiya Sutta (Udana 1.10).
Once there was a bark-clad ascetic Bahiya who thought he was enlightened, but a deva told him that he wasn't and asked him to seek out the Buddha for his guidance.
He found the Buddha who gave him a brief instruction, which resulted in his near-immediate enlightenment. Very shortly after that, he was killed in a freak accident. The Buddha said that Bahiya became totally unbound (i.e. enlightened).
What did the Buddha teach him? (translated by Thanissaro)
"Then, BΔhiya, you should train yourself thus: In reference to the seen, there will be only the seen. In reference to the heard, only the heard. In reference to the sensed, only the sensed. In reference to the cognized, only the cognized. That is how you should train yourself. When for you there will be only the seen in reference to the seen, only the heard in reference to the heard, only the sensed in reference to the sensed, only the cognized in reference to the cognized, then, BΔhiya, there is no you in connection with that. When there is no you in connection with that, there is no you there. When there is no you there, you are neither here nor yonder nor between the two. This, just this, is the end of stress."
Alternative translation from here (Ireland):
"Herein, Bahiya, you should train yourself thus: 'In the seen will be merely what is seen; in the heard will be merely what is heard; in the sensed will be merely what is sensed; in the cognized will be merely what is cognized.' In this way you should train yourself, Bahiya.
"When, Bahiya, for you in the seen is merely what is seen... in the cognized is merely what is cognized, then, Bahiya, you will not be 'with that.' When, Bahiya, you are not 'with that,' then, Bahiya, you will not be 'in that.' When, Bahiya, you are not 'in that,' then, Bahiya, you will be neither here nor beyond nor in between the two. Just this is the end of suffering."
This is a teaching on anatta.
However, this may not work for everyone as it did on Bahiya, because Bahiya apparently was already advanced in attainment. Please see this answer.
For complete beginners, study of the Dhamma (in order to cultivate Right View) and practice of the five precepts and virtue (sila) is recommended. Please see this answer.
Upvote:-1
Correct way to enlightenment is arya ashtangika marga i.e. the "Noble Eightfold Path".
Upvote:3
Since you have not tagged your question as theravada-only, I assume you accept answers from all traditions.
In Mahayana, we have a notion of different paths suitable for people of different predilections. The Tibetan tradition has developed two methods, somewhat similar to each other, that are said to allow a serious practitioner to achieve Enlightenment in one lifetime, or even faster.
These methods are known as Mahamudra and Dzogchen. In my understanding, both work by approximating the target state of Nirvana or suchness that Buddha's teaching culminates in. Here I will boil them down to their essential point, hoping to make them available to Internet-age students. If my presentation looks misleading or incomplete, feel free to study traditional literature or practice under the guidance of a qualified teacher.
Basically, the fastest way to Enlightenment consists in "leaving everything as is" and attaining an unwavering conviction and confidence that the regular unmodified state of things is already the "Great Perfection".
Of course, this method assumes one does not have coarse mental and emotional obscurations. In other words, this method assumes that the student is already pretty close to Enlightenment.
There is also a huge difference between taking this "view" as an operative basis of one's emotional mind versus simply thinking that "everything is perfect" when it's not -- on one hand, or simply giving up and staying a fool -- on the other.
When taken correctly, this view results in an effortless state of no attachment, no craving, no aversion, no side-taking, complete non-judgmental acceptance of "oneself" and "the world", dissolution of subject/object duality, perfect realization of metta, karuna, mudita and upekkha, cessation of all suffering, feeling of liberation or spontaneity, and absolute unconditional love.
More post
- π Why difference in karmic effect to same evil deed?
- π Is there any extreme of physical pain that a fully enlightened person would find unpleasant on any level?
- π Given everything is Dhamma , isn't it true that he who sees me sees Dhamma?
- π Is there a Buddhist equivalent to Lutheran doctrine of Justification?
- π Decline and the ending of Buddhism
- π Reading your way to Nirvana?
- π How to extend the counter-part sign? What even is this?
- π What is difference between dhamma in Dhammanupassana and dhamma in Sampajana?
- π Did Huineng claim he didn't know Buddhism? If yes, what does it mean?
- π What happens if a monk is called for jury duty?
- π Does the Samajivina Sutta imply that a Buddhist should only marry another Buddhist?
- π Regarding Nicca and Anicca natures of Avidya and Prajna
- π How this quote by Mahathma Ghandi is compatable with non-violence teaching of Buddhism?
- π Are ecological concerns supported explicitly in Buddhism?
- π How much merit is lost if we miss chanting for a few days?
- π Caste of SujΔtΔ
- π Celibacy - why not?
- π How does the ΰ½ΰ½’ΰΌΰ½ΰ½ΌΰΌΰ½ΰ½Όΰ½¦ΰΌΰ½ΰΎ²ΰ½Όΰ½£ (Bardo Thodol) "Tibetan Book of the Dead" fit in with the Kangyur and Tengyur
- π What motivates a fully awakened person in a loving relationship?
- π Was Buddha one man?
- π What does deathless mean?
- π Spirits in Buddhist Folklore
- π How can watching be non-doing?
- π Does anyone know the origin of the Buddhist Prayer of Forgiveness?
- π Did Japanese Buddhists once use sky burial?
- π What is funeral law of Buddhism?
- π Nature of rebirth
- π Color perception in meditation
- π No more kamma and vipaka for Noble Ones?
- π Does Vinaya allow monks to do priestly rituals for the laity?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- π What is the fastest way to reach enlightenment?
- π What is the meaning of the Zen quote: "Before Enlightenment chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment chop wood, carry water"?
- π What is the buddhist way of responding to compliments?
- π What is the best way to practice humility
- π What is the difference between learning the Buddhist way and simply learning from life?
- π What is a skillful way to meditate in the midst of a migraine headache?
- π What is observing the precepts in a Hinayana way or a Mahayana way?
- π What is the Buddhist Way to Reform and Correct People?
- π What is the best way to forget bad choices in the past?
- π What is the best way to develop a mind observation habit?
- π What is known about enlightenment before the lifetime of the Buddha? Are there any claims that he was the first?
- π What is the easiest way to achieve a state of no physical suffering?
- π What is the proper way to foster generosity and gratitude?
- π What is the right way of living in the Present?
- π What is the difference between Enlightenment and Nibbana?
- π The "conventional" self - in what way can it be accepted?
- π How could the Buddha know that he had attained enlightenment when he didn't know what it was?
- π What is the best way to generate Metta
- π What is the way to motivate myself for Vipasana meditation Practice daily?
- π In what ways the Way removes the craving?
- π Is Vajrayana the fastest and only way to enlightenment? BΓΆn & Shaivism
- π What difference is there in chanting/reciting in the same way as monks?
- π Can one reach enlightenment if they need to care about the wellbeing of another?
- π What would be the relationship between mindfulness, enlightenment and incubation?
- π What is the essence of spiritual enlightenment
- π What are the differences between vipassana and mindfulness meditation?
- π What is the attitude toward h*m*sexuality in Buddhism?
- π What is the next meditation type after Mindfulness of Breathing meditation?
- π What is the meaning and/or purpose of life?
- π What are the common buddhist practices to eliminate sleepiness?