NAVIGATION

NAVIGATION

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GEIFN | REPORTS | HCWPRLM | DIALOGUE | 38th WARP Office: Afterlife | Saturday 30 June 2018 | 4-6pm

[Report is compiled from multiple public addresses, multiple sources made over multiple publication dates]

Civic, Religious and Community Leaders and Guests assembled to address the questions Description of Heaven/Nirvana/Paradise according to Scripture/Teaching and Standard in order to enter Heaven/Nirvana/Paradise

On this occasion, a round-table discussion on the trustworthiness of Scripture was moderated by Steven Gouw and other contributors were from 3 forms of Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. With opportunities for questions and input from a growing audience.

The Buddhist programmed appearance was on behalf of Buddhist Council Victoria's Religious Instruction (bENGAGED) and Glen Eira Interfaith Network (GEIFN). There are many views, here is a reflected Buddhist account offered on the day and expanded post-event for a wider audience.

Description of Heaven/Nirvana/Paradise according to Scripture/Teaching

According to Buddhist teachings, each individual passes through many incarnations until the individual is liberated from worldly illusions, delusions and cravings. This is Nibbana/Nirvana/Enlightenment (Pali/Sanskrit/English).

Depending on tradition: 
  • description is an existence of beauty, abundance and peace, a realm where a Buddha resides, or a state of Mind.
  • location is considered a far away destination, within arm’s reach or between one’s ears.
  • timing to accomplish is considered to be measurable in 100 Kalpa (Sanskrit: lifetime of universes), 3 Kalpas or 1 lifetime, this lifetime.
Afterlife can be described in different ways. Here are 3 more:
  • Theravada: After individual bodily death, rebirth until Nibbana
  • Mahayana: Bodhisattva promise of delaying one’s Nirvana to be continually reborn to assist countless others liberate themselves from their Suffering
  • Vajrayana: Effortful striving here and now towards Enlightenment by freeing oneself from individual suffering. Least effort most benefit until including all beings. Because doing anything else just doesn’t make any sense any more.
After Life of the Buddha, came Symbols. Here are 6 more:
  • Stupa: The stupa represents the enlightened mind of the Buddha and represents the 5 purified elements - earth, water, fire, wind and ether (space).
  • Dharma Wheel: The Dharmachakra (Wheel of the Law) is an 8-spoked wheel that represents existence, ignorance, suffering, purposeful effort, overcoming obstacles and liberation from suffering.
  • Bodhi Tree/Leaf: The Bodhi tree is the tree under which Buddha received enlightenment.
  • Lotus Flower: The lotus flower (Padma) represents purification of body, speech and mind,since it grows in muddy waters yet blooms untainted above the surface of the water. A lotus in full bloom represents enlightenment.
  • Namaste: hands held in prayer pose indicating oneness with, or interconnectedness with all things in all times and places
  • Swastika: The Swastika is an ancient Indian symbol used to represent eternity, auspiciousness or the skilful means of identifying suffering and the deliverance from it. For Australia 2018 use, due to the symbol’s mis-use by Nazi Germany mid-1900s, general advice is not to use this in a public place in Australia without additional guidance/explanation.

Standard in order to enter Heaven/Nirvana/Paradise

"Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.”
Buddha (563 BCE - 483 CE)
Each individual passes through many incarnations until the individual is liberated from worldly illusions, delusions and cravings. Breaking the circular loop of Dhukka/Samsara/Suffering (Pali/Sanskrit/English).

This liberation is known as the lasting Awakening/Realising of Nibbana/Nirvana/Enlightenment (Pali/Sanskrit/English); a blowing out of a flame of karmic tendencies.

Although each of the traditions may emphasise different entry points, methods and practice, one way to free oneself from the clutches of suffering is known as adopting, practising and adhering to The Four Noble Truths.

The Four Noble Truths
  1. Existence is suffering 
  2. Suffering is caused by ignorance (worldly illusions, delusions and cravings).
  3. There is an end to suffering
  4. There are many ways, The Noble Eightfold Path is the way of a Buddha: Awakened Mind.
The Noble Eightfold Path
  1. Right Understanding. Understanding life is always changing. Practice of letting go of attachments. Contentment leads to peace and happiness.
  2. Right Effort. Mindful, kind and positive thinking.
  3. Right Intention. Having helpful and positive feelings behind actions.
  4. Right Livelihood. Doing useful work that doesn’t harm others
  5. Right Mindfulness. Being mindful of thoughts, words and deeds and how they affect others.
  6. Right Speech. Speaking in a kind, thoughtful and helpful way.
  7. Right Action. Living an ethical life avoiding doing any harm.
  8. Right Meditation. Training the mind to be calm and positive in order to develop wisdom.
Supplementary:
From a Mahayana Buddhist View: 

From a Vajrayana view?:

This is part of an ongoing activity of Korean originated group Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light working diligently towards peace in the world. There concentrated efforts providing a safe space for divergent views to be shared, discussed and respectfully debated is a lovely example of actions peaking louder than words.

On behalf of BCV’s Buddhist Religious Instruction (bENGAGED), thankyou to Hosts, Organisers, Volunteers and Participants working to share, build collaborations, celebrate diversity and foster team approach to addressing today's society. Received with gratitude.

 MORE:
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light Melbourne (HCWPRL)
Tel: +61 434 281 446
Email: au@hwpl.kr
Website: www.hwpl.kr | www.peacelaw.org