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**CalBettaulp** · 06-21-2011, 02:53 AM

The Buddha would probably compare this quest to "explore the full extent of suffering" to the sort of extreme of self-mortification that he declared to be a wrong turn.

I'm talking about temporarily rejecting modern society and undergoing the struggle of surviving in the wilderness. Could you share some of the quotes in which the Buddha discourages such actions?

One has to keep in mind that things were very different when the Buddha walked the earth...people weren't nearly as spoiled as they are nowadays. Could such spoiling be a hurdle in reaching enlightenment? Of course the soul still suffers, as the only escape from this would seem to be enlightenment.

Seems to me that one would be happier if they were aware of what "true suffering" is like, as one would then have a better understanding of the distinction between what's worth suffering over, and what is simply whining and self-pity.

Surely this distinction must be made before one can overcome suffering (and reach enlightenment)?

06-21-2011, 02:53 AM	#15
CalBettaulp Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 342 Senior Member	The Buddha would probably compare this quest to "explore the full extent of suffering" to the sort of extreme of self-mortification that he declared to be a wrong turn. I'm talking about temporarily rejecting modern society and undergoing the struggle of surviving in the wilderness. Could you share some of the quotes in which the Buddha discourages such actions? One has to keep in mind that things were very different when the Buddha walked the earth...people weren't nearly as spoiled as they are nowadays. Could such spoiling be a hurdle in reaching enlightenment? Of course the soul still suffers, as the only escape from this would seem to be enlightenment. Seems to me that one would be happier if they were aware of what "true suffering" is like, as one would then have a better understanding of the distinction between what's worth suffering over, and what is simply whining and self-pity. Surely this distinction must be made before one can overcome suffering (and reach enlightenment)?
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