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**T1ivuQGS** · 03-18-2012, 02:26 AM

Firstly, I would like to know about the Buddhist worldview. Buddhism is a very different religion to the Abrahamic religion that I grew up with. In Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, one has a clear ultimate goal in mind while they live their life (which would be going to heaven) but because Buddhism doesn't have a God, I would like to know about what a person's goals should be when they practice Buddhism. I know that one goal is Enlightenment, but I do not know much about it. Also, would there be any other goals?

Seeker,

I happened to come across an essay last night (by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, a well-known monk and scholar) which might provide some answers to your questions.

'Samvega' was what the young Prince Siddhartha felt on his first exposure to aging, illness and death. It's a hard word to translate because it covers such a complex range — at least three clusters of feelings at once: the oppressive sense of shock, dismay and alienation that come with realizing the futility and meaninglessness of life as it's normally lived; a chastening sense of our own complacency and foolishness in having let ourselves live so blindly; and an anxious sense of urgency in trying to find a way out of the meaningless cycle. This is a cluster of feelings we've all experienced at one time or another in the process of growing up but I don't know of a single English term that adequately covers all three. It would be useful to have such a term, and maybe that's reason enough for simply adopting the word samvega into our language.

[Siddartha] gained a clear sense of his predicament and of the way out of it, leading to something beyond aging, illness and death, at the same time feeling confident that the way would work.

For people whose sense of 'samvega' is so strong that they want to abandon any social ties that prevent them from following the path to the end of suffering, Buddhism offers both a long-proven body of wisdom for them to draw from, as well as a safety net: the monastic sangha, an institution that enables them to leave lay society without having to waste time worrying about basic survival.

For those who can't leave their social ties, Buddhist teaching offers a way to live in the world without being overcome by the world, following a life of generosity, virtue and meditation to strengthen the noble qualities of the mind that will lead to the end of suffering.

03-18-2012, 02:26 AM	#9
T1ivuQGS Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 473 Senior Member	Firstly, I would like to know about the Buddhist worldview. Buddhism is a very different religion to the Abrahamic religion that I grew up with. In Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, one has a clear ultimate goal in mind while they live their life (which would be going to heaven) but because Buddhism doesn't have a God, I would like to know about what a person's goals should be when they practice Buddhism. I know that one goal is Enlightenment, but I do not know much about it. Also, would there be any other goals? Seeker, I happened to come across an essay last night (by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, a well-known monk and scholar) which might provide some answers to your questions. 'Samvega' was what the young Prince Siddhartha felt on his first exposure to aging, illness and death. It's a hard word to translate because it covers such a complex range — at least three clusters of feelings at once: the oppressive sense of shock, dismay and alienation that come with realizing the futility and meaninglessness of life as it's normally lived; a chastening sense of our own complacency and foolishness in having let ourselves live so blindly; and an anxious sense of urgency in trying to find a way out of the meaningless cycle. This is a cluster of feelings we've all experienced at one time or another in the process of growing up but I don't know of a single English term that adequately covers all three. It would be useful to have such a term, and maybe that's reason enough for simply adopting the word samvega into our language. [Siddartha] gained a clear sense of his predicament and of the way out of it, leading to something beyond aging, illness and death, at the same time feeling confident that the way would work. For people whose sense of 'samvega' is so strong that they want to abandon any social ties that prevent them from following the path to the end of suffering, Buddhism offers both a long-proven body of wisdom for them to draw from, as well as a safety net: the monastic sangha, an institution that enables them to leave lay society without having to waste time worrying about basic survival. For those who can't leave their social ties, Buddhist teaching offers a way to live in the world without being overcome by the world, following a life of generosity, virtue and meditation to strengthen the noble qualities of the mind that will lead to the end of suffering.
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