Buddha's advice for after enlightenment Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern) Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara Unicorn Meta Zoo #1: Why another podcast?What is the difference between an arhat, bodhisattva and a buddha?Questions from 21-st century's MilindaThe Mahayana faith and wisdomAfter Enlightenment - 7 Weeks (Sath Sathiya)Why should Mahayana practitioners strive for anything at all?Does rational thinking avoid dogma and enhance our wisdom?Can knowledge of suchness or emptiness be achieved through cessation of conceptualization?Can you criticise or improve Ven. Bodhi's description of MahayanaBuddha's night before enlightenmentAre there different types of enlightenment?Difference between abiding nirvana and non-abiding nirvana?

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Buddha's advice for after enlightenment



Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern)
Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara
Unicorn Meta Zoo #1: Why another podcast?What is the difference between an arhat, bodhisattva and a buddha?Questions from 21-st century's MilindaThe Mahayana faith and wisdomAfter Enlightenment - 7 Weeks (Sath Sathiya)Why should Mahayana practitioners strive for anything at all?Does rational thinking avoid dogma and enhance our wisdom?Can knowledge of suchness or emptiness be achieved through cessation of conceptualization?Can you criticise or improve Ven. Bodhi's description of MahayanaBuddha's night before enlightenmentAre there different types of enlightenment?Difference between abiding nirvana and non-abiding nirvana?










1















I've heard a few pieces of advice the Buddha gave to arahants, but not much. What are some teachings the Buddha gave to arahants to guide them towards further growth?



(Edit)



I want to clarify a bit what I mean for I feel I didn't do an adequate job of explaining my question.



After enlightenment, there is nothing more to be done, but a phenomena seems to occur. The self is known to be illusory. The bodymind (the forms within experience that was previously identified with) continue to appear and slowly seems to embody the enlightened perspective.



This is outlined in this quote from this answer which was posted here on this forum in the past.




A Hinayana arhat abandoned afflictive obscurations by way of realizing emptiness, but has not abandoned knowledge obscuration. He has achieved abiding nirvana. Therefore, although they are free from the conception of true existence, and from true suffering, they are not free from the imprints of ignorance (i.e. knowledge obscurations). We say that it is like removing garlic from a container: the smell will still be there. So, because they still have the imprints of ignorance, (1) they are not free from the appearance of true existence, and (2) they are reborn with a mental body, due to the imprints of ignorance (in our case, we are reborn to due karma and afflictions).



A bodhisattva is a person who generated effortless bodhicitta (the wish to achieve enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings). Since effortless bodhicitta is the entry gate to the Mahayana path, he entered the Mahayana small path of accumulation. When he cultivates wisdom, it is conjoined with emptiness and that makes his mind vast (due to bodhicitta) and profound (due to realizing emptiness). He wishes not to abide in individual liberation (abiding nirvana) but to be free from the extreme of peace (abiding nirvana) as well as from samsara. Therefore, he wishes to achieve non-abiding nirvana, which is the attainment of a buddha.



A Buddha abandoned both afflictive and knowledge obscuration, having generated the path perfection of wisdom (the wisdom of emptiness conjoined with bodhicitta). In his continuum, wisdom and bodhicitta are the same mind: the omniscient mind of a buddha that realizes all objects of knowledge directly, past present and future, in an unmistaken way, etc. He achieved non-abiding nirvana, abiding neither in samsara nor in individual liberation. His enlightened activities are uninterrupted.




This is apparently a quote from a zen master that illustrates the same thing.




A zen monk was once asked, “How’s your enlightenment going?” And he replied, “Fine. My body is having a hard time keeping up with it though.”




I am hoping to find content of this nature that describes how this process of going from an arahant to a Buddha unfolds.










share|improve this question



















  • 2





    This question is Mahayana. In Theravada, the Buddha is an Arahant; and Arahants are not generally called "Buddhas" because "Buddha" is a title reserved for the 1st Arahant who starts the Buddhist religion.

    – Dhammadhatu
    Apr 14 at 0:05











  • Yes according to the last line ("this process of going from an arahant to a Buddha"), apparently you're looking for a Mahayana answer -- so I added the mahayana tag to the question and both the current answers aren't quite on-topic. In Theravada i.e. per the Pali canon, an Arahant has or is finished.

    – ChrisW
    Apr 14 at 13:02











  • Yes, the edit/addition to the question makes it clear that how the questioner defines enlightenment needs to precede this question; that is, is there one enlightenment or are there many stages all deserving of the term enlightened. It's just a question of terms. If one considers only one final enlightenment (the direct acquisition of final knowledge) then there are many stages working up to it. In that case, my answer below refers only to those of the final enlightenment.

    – Kilaya Ciriello
    Apr 14 at 14:35











  • @KilayaCiriello I hope to not confuse you but I'm not trying to ask about enlightenment. I am asking if there are any teachings the Buddha gave on living after enlightenment, and how the bodymind gradually adapts to the enlightened understanding.

    – w33t
    Apr 14 at 15:06











  • @w33t Would bhūmis be an answer to what you're asking about? And/or the five paths?

    – ChrisW
    2 days ago















1















I've heard a few pieces of advice the Buddha gave to arahants, but not much. What are some teachings the Buddha gave to arahants to guide them towards further growth?



(Edit)



I want to clarify a bit what I mean for I feel I didn't do an adequate job of explaining my question.



After enlightenment, there is nothing more to be done, but a phenomena seems to occur. The self is known to be illusory. The bodymind (the forms within experience that was previously identified with) continue to appear and slowly seems to embody the enlightened perspective.



This is outlined in this quote from this answer which was posted here on this forum in the past.




A Hinayana arhat abandoned afflictive obscurations by way of realizing emptiness, but has not abandoned knowledge obscuration. He has achieved abiding nirvana. Therefore, although they are free from the conception of true existence, and from true suffering, they are not free from the imprints of ignorance (i.e. knowledge obscurations). We say that it is like removing garlic from a container: the smell will still be there. So, because they still have the imprints of ignorance, (1) they are not free from the appearance of true existence, and (2) they are reborn with a mental body, due to the imprints of ignorance (in our case, we are reborn to due karma and afflictions).



A bodhisattva is a person who generated effortless bodhicitta (the wish to achieve enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings). Since effortless bodhicitta is the entry gate to the Mahayana path, he entered the Mahayana small path of accumulation. When he cultivates wisdom, it is conjoined with emptiness and that makes his mind vast (due to bodhicitta) and profound (due to realizing emptiness). He wishes not to abide in individual liberation (abiding nirvana) but to be free from the extreme of peace (abiding nirvana) as well as from samsara. Therefore, he wishes to achieve non-abiding nirvana, which is the attainment of a buddha.



A Buddha abandoned both afflictive and knowledge obscuration, having generated the path perfection of wisdom (the wisdom of emptiness conjoined with bodhicitta). In his continuum, wisdom and bodhicitta are the same mind: the omniscient mind of a buddha that realizes all objects of knowledge directly, past present and future, in an unmistaken way, etc. He achieved non-abiding nirvana, abiding neither in samsara nor in individual liberation. His enlightened activities are uninterrupted.




This is apparently a quote from a zen master that illustrates the same thing.




A zen monk was once asked, “How’s your enlightenment going?” And he replied, “Fine. My body is having a hard time keeping up with it though.”




I am hoping to find content of this nature that describes how this process of going from an arahant to a Buddha unfolds.










share|improve this question



















  • 2





    This question is Mahayana. In Theravada, the Buddha is an Arahant; and Arahants are not generally called "Buddhas" because "Buddha" is a title reserved for the 1st Arahant who starts the Buddhist religion.

    – Dhammadhatu
    Apr 14 at 0:05











  • Yes according to the last line ("this process of going from an arahant to a Buddha"), apparently you're looking for a Mahayana answer -- so I added the mahayana tag to the question and both the current answers aren't quite on-topic. In Theravada i.e. per the Pali canon, an Arahant has or is finished.

    – ChrisW
    Apr 14 at 13:02











  • Yes, the edit/addition to the question makes it clear that how the questioner defines enlightenment needs to precede this question; that is, is there one enlightenment or are there many stages all deserving of the term enlightened. It's just a question of terms. If one considers only one final enlightenment (the direct acquisition of final knowledge) then there are many stages working up to it. In that case, my answer below refers only to those of the final enlightenment.

    – Kilaya Ciriello
    Apr 14 at 14:35











  • @KilayaCiriello I hope to not confuse you but I'm not trying to ask about enlightenment. I am asking if there are any teachings the Buddha gave on living after enlightenment, and how the bodymind gradually adapts to the enlightened understanding.

    – w33t
    Apr 14 at 15:06











  • @w33t Would bhūmis be an answer to what you're asking about? And/or the five paths?

    – ChrisW
    2 days ago













1












1








1








I've heard a few pieces of advice the Buddha gave to arahants, but not much. What are some teachings the Buddha gave to arahants to guide them towards further growth?



(Edit)



I want to clarify a bit what I mean for I feel I didn't do an adequate job of explaining my question.



After enlightenment, there is nothing more to be done, but a phenomena seems to occur. The self is known to be illusory. The bodymind (the forms within experience that was previously identified with) continue to appear and slowly seems to embody the enlightened perspective.



This is outlined in this quote from this answer which was posted here on this forum in the past.




A Hinayana arhat abandoned afflictive obscurations by way of realizing emptiness, but has not abandoned knowledge obscuration. He has achieved abiding nirvana. Therefore, although they are free from the conception of true existence, and from true suffering, they are not free from the imprints of ignorance (i.e. knowledge obscurations). We say that it is like removing garlic from a container: the smell will still be there. So, because they still have the imprints of ignorance, (1) they are not free from the appearance of true existence, and (2) they are reborn with a mental body, due to the imprints of ignorance (in our case, we are reborn to due karma and afflictions).



A bodhisattva is a person who generated effortless bodhicitta (the wish to achieve enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings). Since effortless bodhicitta is the entry gate to the Mahayana path, he entered the Mahayana small path of accumulation. When he cultivates wisdom, it is conjoined with emptiness and that makes his mind vast (due to bodhicitta) and profound (due to realizing emptiness). He wishes not to abide in individual liberation (abiding nirvana) but to be free from the extreme of peace (abiding nirvana) as well as from samsara. Therefore, he wishes to achieve non-abiding nirvana, which is the attainment of a buddha.



A Buddha abandoned both afflictive and knowledge obscuration, having generated the path perfection of wisdom (the wisdom of emptiness conjoined with bodhicitta). In his continuum, wisdom and bodhicitta are the same mind: the omniscient mind of a buddha that realizes all objects of knowledge directly, past present and future, in an unmistaken way, etc. He achieved non-abiding nirvana, abiding neither in samsara nor in individual liberation. His enlightened activities are uninterrupted.




This is apparently a quote from a zen master that illustrates the same thing.




A zen monk was once asked, “How’s your enlightenment going?” And he replied, “Fine. My body is having a hard time keeping up with it though.”




I am hoping to find content of this nature that describes how this process of going from an arahant to a Buddha unfolds.










share|improve this question
















I've heard a few pieces of advice the Buddha gave to arahants, but not much. What are some teachings the Buddha gave to arahants to guide them towards further growth?



(Edit)



I want to clarify a bit what I mean for I feel I didn't do an adequate job of explaining my question.



After enlightenment, there is nothing more to be done, but a phenomena seems to occur. The self is known to be illusory. The bodymind (the forms within experience that was previously identified with) continue to appear and slowly seems to embody the enlightened perspective.



This is outlined in this quote from this answer which was posted here on this forum in the past.




A Hinayana arhat abandoned afflictive obscurations by way of realizing emptiness, but has not abandoned knowledge obscuration. He has achieved abiding nirvana. Therefore, although they are free from the conception of true existence, and from true suffering, they are not free from the imprints of ignorance (i.e. knowledge obscurations). We say that it is like removing garlic from a container: the smell will still be there. So, because they still have the imprints of ignorance, (1) they are not free from the appearance of true existence, and (2) they are reborn with a mental body, due to the imprints of ignorance (in our case, we are reborn to due karma and afflictions).



A bodhisattva is a person who generated effortless bodhicitta (the wish to achieve enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings). Since effortless bodhicitta is the entry gate to the Mahayana path, he entered the Mahayana small path of accumulation. When he cultivates wisdom, it is conjoined with emptiness and that makes his mind vast (due to bodhicitta) and profound (due to realizing emptiness). He wishes not to abide in individual liberation (abiding nirvana) but to be free from the extreme of peace (abiding nirvana) as well as from samsara. Therefore, he wishes to achieve non-abiding nirvana, which is the attainment of a buddha.



A Buddha abandoned both afflictive and knowledge obscuration, having generated the path perfection of wisdom (the wisdom of emptiness conjoined with bodhicitta). In his continuum, wisdom and bodhicitta are the same mind: the omniscient mind of a buddha that realizes all objects of knowledge directly, past present and future, in an unmistaken way, etc. He achieved non-abiding nirvana, abiding neither in samsara nor in individual liberation. His enlightened activities are uninterrupted.




This is apparently a quote from a zen master that illustrates the same thing.




A zen monk was once asked, “How’s your enlightenment going?” And he replied, “Fine. My body is having a hard time keeping up with it though.”




I am hoping to find content of this nature that describes how this process of going from an arahant to a Buddha unfolds.







mahayana enlightenment teaching






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Apr 14 at 12:58









ChrisW

30.7k42486




30.7k42486










asked Apr 13 at 13:31









w33tw33t

38718




38718







  • 2





    This question is Mahayana. In Theravada, the Buddha is an Arahant; and Arahants are not generally called "Buddhas" because "Buddha" is a title reserved for the 1st Arahant who starts the Buddhist religion.

    – Dhammadhatu
    Apr 14 at 0:05











  • Yes according to the last line ("this process of going from an arahant to a Buddha"), apparently you're looking for a Mahayana answer -- so I added the mahayana tag to the question and both the current answers aren't quite on-topic. In Theravada i.e. per the Pali canon, an Arahant has or is finished.

    – ChrisW
    Apr 14 at 13:02











  • Yes, the edit/addition to the question makes it clear that how the questioner defines enlightenment needs to precede this question; that is, is there one enlightenment or are there many stages all deserving of the term enlightened. It's just a question of terms. If one considers only one final enlightenment (the direct acquisition of final knowledge) then there are many stages working up to it. In that case, my answer below refers only to those of the final enlightenment.

    – Kilaya Ciriello
    Apr 14 at 14:35











  • @KilayaCiriello I hope to not confuse you but I'm not trying to ask about enlightenment. I am asking if there are any teachings the Buddha gave on living after enlightenment, and how the bodymind gradually adapts to the enlightened understanding.

    – w33t
    Apr 14 at 15:06











  • @w33t Would bhūmis be an answer to what you're asking about? And/or the five paths?

    – ChrisW
    2 days ago












  • 2





    This question is Mahayana. In Theravada, the Buddha is an Arahant; and Arahants are not generally called "Buddhas" because "Buddha" is a title reserved for the 1st Arahant who starts the Buddhist religion.

    – Dhammadhatu
    Apr 14 at 0:05











  • Yes according to the last line ("this process of going from an arahant to a Buddha"), apparently you're looking for a Mahayana answer -- so I added the mahayana tag to the question and both the current answers aren't quite on-topic. In Theravada i.e. per the Pali canon, an Arahant has or is finished.

    – ChrisW
    Apr 14 at 13:02











  • Yes, the edit/addition to the question makes it clear that how the questioner defines enlightenment needs to precede this question; that is, is there one enlightenment or are there many stages all deserving of the term enlightened. It's just a question of terms. If one considers only one final enlightenment (the direct acquisition of final knowledge) then there are many stages working up to it. In that case, my answer below refers only to those of the final enlightenment.

    – Kilaya Ciriello
    Apr 14 at 14:35











  • @KilayaCiriello I hope to not confuse you but I'm not trying to ask about enlightenment. I am asking if there are any teachings the Buddha gave on living after enlightenment, and how the bodymind gradually adapts to the enlightened understanding.

    – w33t
    Apr 14 at 15:06











  • @w33t Would bhūmis be an answer to what you're asking about? And/or the five paths?

    – ChrisW
    2 days ago







2




2





This question is Mahayana. In Theravada, the Buddha is an Arahant; and Arahants are not generally called "Buddhas" because "Buddha" is a title reserved for the 1st Arahant who starts the Buddhist religion.

– Dhammadhatu
Apr 14 at 0:05





This question is Mahayana. In Theravada, the Buddha is an Arahant; and Arahants are not generally called "Buddhas" because "Buddha" is a title reserved for the 1st Arahant who starts the Buddhist religion.

– Dhammadhatu
Apr 14 at 0:05













Yes according to the last line ("this process of going from an arahant to a Buddha"), apparently you're looking for a Mahayana answer -- so I added the mahayana tag to the question and both the current answers aren't quite on-topic. In Theravada i.e. per the Pali canon, an Arahant has or is finished.

– ChrisW
Apr 14 at 13:02





Yes according to the last line ("this process of going from an arahant to a Buddha"), apparently you're looking for a Mahayana answer -- so I added the mahayana tag to the question and both the current answers aren't quite on-topic. In Theravada i.e. per the Pali canon, an Arahant has or is finished.

– ChrisW
Apr 14 at 13:02













Yes, the edit/addition to the question makes it clear that how the questioner defines enlightenment needs to precede this question; that is, is there one enlightenment or are there many stages all deserving of the term enlightened. It's just a question of terms. If one considers only one final enlightenment (the direct acquisition of final knowledge) then there are many stages working up to it. In that case, my answer below refers only to those of the final enlightenment.

– Kilaya Ciriello
Apr 14 at 14:35





Yes, the edit/addition to the question makes it clear that how the questioner defines enlightenment needs to precede this question; that is, is there one enlightenment or are there many stages all deserving of the term enlightened. It's just a question of terms. If one considers only one final enlightenment (the direct acquisition of final knowledge) then there are many stages working up to it. In that case, my answer below refers only to those of the final enlightenment.

– Kilaya Ciriello
Apr 14 at 14:35













@KilayaCiriello I hope to not confuse you but I'm not trying to ask about enlightenment. I am asking if there are any teachings the Buddha gave on living after enlightenment, and how the bodymind gradually adapts to the enlightened understanding.

– w33t
Apr 14 at 15:06





@KilayaCiriello I hope to not confuse you but I'm not trying to ask about enlightenment. I am asking if there are any teachings the Buddha gave on living after enlightenment, and how the bodymind gradually adapts to the enlightened understanding.

– w33t
Apr 14 at 15:06













@w33t Would bhūmis be an answer to what you're asking about? And/or the five paths?

– ChrisW
2 days ago





@w33t Would bhūmis be an answer to what you're asking about? And/or the five paths?

– ChrisW
2 days ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















2














There needs to be some caution/qualifications when discussing arahants just as there should be when discussing the Buddha. SN 44.1 discusses this caution and it applies to arahants as well.




"so too, great king, that form by which one describing the Tathagata might describe him has been abandoned by the Tathagata, cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated so that it is no more subject to future arising. The tathagata is liberated from reckoning in terms of form; he is deep, immeasurable, hard to fathom like the great ocean."




In SN 35.135:




I do not say of those bhikkhus who are arahants . . . that they still have work to do with diligence in regard to the six bases for contact. Why is that? They have done their work with diligence; they are incapable of being negligent.




There is one other teaching that I know of regarding what arahants do but I can't find it right now. In it the Buddha says that arahants continue to dwell with the 4 mindfulness established. Maybe someone else can find that reference?






share|improve this answer






























    1















    What are some teachings the Buddha gave to arahants to guide them towards further growth?




    Technically speaking, once one's attained arahantship, one'd continue training simply because the training has become second nature, a way of life, not because there's some further "growth" needed. A very common stock phrase that describes arahantship in many suttas:




    "Birth is ended, the holy life fulfilled, the task done. There is nothing further for the sake of this world." ~~ Quote Refs ~~







    share|improve this answer






























      1















      Case 46 of the Mumonkan
      Proceed On from the Top of the Pole
      四十六 竿頭進歩



      石霜和尚云、百尺竿頭、如何進歩。
      Sekisõ Oshõ asked, "How can you proceed on further
      from the top of a hundred-foot pole?"



      又古徳云、百尺竿頭坐底人、雖然得入未爲眞。
      Another eminent teacher of old said, "You, who
      sit on the top of a hundred-foot pole, although you have entered the
      Way you are not yet genuine.



      百尺竿頭、須進歩十方世界現全身。
      Proceed on from the top of the pole, and you will
      show your whole body in the ten directions."



      Mumon's Comment



      無門曰、進得歩、翻得身、更嫌何處不稱尊。
      If you go on further and turn your body about, no
      place is left where you are not the master.



      然雖如是、且道、百尺竿頭、如何進歩。嗄。
      But even so, tell me, how will you go on further
      from the top of a hundred-foot pole? Eh?"



      Mumon's Verse
      頌曰 瞎却頂門眼 He darkens the third eye of insight
      錯認定盤星
      And clings to the first mark on the scale.
      拌身能捨命 Even though he
      may sacrifice his life,
      一盲引衆盲 He is only a blind man leading the
      blind.




      Or put very simply - seeing one's face for the first time does not perfect make us perfect Buddhas. It's really only the first mark on the scale. Some go so far as to say that our training doesn't really begin until we've had our dai kensho or great awakening experience. After enlightenment, there is still so much work left to be done! We still have to address what karmic obstacles remain and what insights into the nature of reality that we continue to miss. This means more meditation, more koans, more sesshins, and more sweat. In other words, post enlightenment training, that part of the path that turns us into perfect Buddhas, is basically identical to what came before. You proceed from the top of the pole in the same way that your climbed the first hundred feet. The tricky part is making that first step off the pole.






      share|improve this answer























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        3 Answers
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        3 Answers
        3






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        active

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        active

        oldest

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        2














        There needs to be some caution/qualifications when discussing arahants just as there should be when discussing the Buddha. SN 44.1 discusses this caution and it applies to arahants as well.




        "so too, great king, that form by which one describing the Tathagata might describe him has been abandoned by the Tathagata, cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated so that it is no more subject to future arising. The tathagata is liberated from reckoning in terms of form; he is deep, immeasurable, hard to fathom like the great ocean."




        In SN 35.135:




        I do not say of those bhikkhus who are arahants . . . that they still have work to do with diligence in regard to the six bases for contact. Why is that? They have done their work with diligence; they are incapable of being negligent.




        There is one other teaching that I know of regarding what arahants do but I can't find it right now. In it the Buddha says that arahants continue to dwell with the 4 mindfulness established. Maybe someone else can find that reference?






        share|improve this answer



























          2














          There needs to be some caution/qualifications when discussing arahants just as there should be when discussing the Buddha. SN 44.1 discusses this caution and it applies to arahants as well.




          "so too, great king, that form by which one describing the Tathagata might describe him has been abandoned by the Tathagata, cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated so that it is no more subject to future arising. The tathagata is liberated from reckoning in terms of form; he is deep, immeasurable, hard to fathom like the great ocean."




          In SN 35.135:




          I do not say of those bhikkhus who are arahants . . . that they still have work to do with diligence in regard to the six bases for contact. Why is that? They have done their work with diligence; they are incapable of being negligent.




          There is one other teaching that I know of regarding what arahants do but I can't find it right now. In it the Buddha says that arahants continue to dwell with the 4 mindfulness established. Maybe someone else can find that reference?






          share|improve this answer

























            2












            2








            2







            There needs to be some caution/qualifications when discussing arahants just as there should be when discussing the Buddha. SN 44.1 discusses this caution and it applies to arahants as well.




            "so too, great king, that form by which one describing the Tathagata might describe him has been abandoned by the Tathagata, cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated so that it is no more subject to future arising. The tathagata is liberated from reckoning in terms of form; he is deep, immeasurable, hard to fathom like the great ocean."




            In SN 35.135:




            I do not say of those bhikkhus who are arahants . . . that they still have work to do with diligence in regard to the six bases for contact. Why is that? They have done their work with diligence; they are incapable of being negligent.




            There is one other teaching that I know of regarding what arahants do but I can't find it right now. In it the Buddha says that arahants continue to dwell with the 4 mindfulness established. Maybe someone else can find that reference?






            share|improve this answer













            There needs to be some caution/qualifications when discussing arahants just as there should be when discussing the Buddha. SN 44.1 discusses this caution and it applies to arahants as well.




            "so too, great king, that form by which one describing the Tathagata might describe him has been abandoned by the Tathagata, cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated so that it is no more subject to future arising. The tathagata is liberated from reckoning in terms of form; he is deep, immeasurable, hard to fathom like the great ocean."




            In SN 35.135:




            I do not say of those bhikkhus who are arahants . . . that they still have work to do with diligence in regard to the six bases for contact. Why is that? They have done their work with diligence; they are incapable of being negligent.




            There is one other teaching that I know of regarding what arahants do but I can't find it right now. In it the Buddha says that arahants continue to dwell with the 4 mindfulness established. Maybe someone else can find that reference?







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Apr 13 at 16:32









            Kilaya CirielloKilaya Ciriello

            793




            793





















                1















                What are some teachings the Buddha gave to arahants to guide them towards further growth?




                Technically speaking, once one's attained arahantship, one'd continue training simply because the training has become second nature, a way of life, not because there's some further "growth" needed. A very common stock phrase that describes arahantship in many suttas:




                "Birth is ended, the holy life fulfilled, the task done. There is nothing further for the sake of this world." ~~ Quote Refs ~~







                share|improve this answer



























                  1















                  What are some teachings the Buddha gave to arahants to guide them towards further growth?




                  Technically speaking, once one's attained arahantship, one'd continue training simply because the training has become second nature, a way of life, not because there's some further "growth" needed. A very common stock phrase that describes arahantship in many suttas:




                  "Birth is ended, the holy life fulfilled, the task done. There is nothing further for the sake of this world." ~~ Quote Refs ~~







                  share|improve this answer

























                    1












                    1








                    1








                    What are some teachings the Buddha gave to arahants to guide them towards further growth?




                    Technically speaking, once one's attained arahantship, one'd continue training simply because the training has become second nature, a way of life, not because there's some further "growth" needed. A very common stock phrase that describes arahantship in many suttas:




                    "Birth is ended, the holy life fulfilled, the task done. There is nothing further for the sake of this world." ~~ Quote Refs ~~







                    share|improve this answer














                    What are some teachings the Buddha gave to arahants to guide them towards further growth?




                    Technically speaking, once one's attained arahantship, one'd continue training simply because the training has become second nature, a way of life, not because there's some further "growth" needed. A very common stock phrase that describes arahantship in many suttas:




                    "Birth is ended, the holy life fulfilled, the task done. There is nothing further for the sake of this world." ~~ Quote Refs ~~








                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Apr 13 at 17:25









                    santa100santa100

                    5,930413




                    5,930413





















                        1















                        Case 46 of the Mumonkan
                        Proceed On from the Top of the Pole
                        四十六 竿頭進歩



                        石霜和尚云、百尺竿頭、如何進歩。
                        Sekisõ Oshõ asked, "How can you proceed on further
                        from the top of a hundred-foot pole?"



                        又古徳云、百尺竿頭坐底人、雖然得入未爲眞。
                        Another eminent teacher of old said, "You, who
                        sit on the top of a hundred-foot pole, although you have entered the
                        Way you are not yet genuine.



                        百尺竿頭、須進歩十方世界現全身。
                        Proceed on from the top of the pole, and you will
                        show your whole body in the ten directions."



                        Mumon's Comment



                        無門曰、進得歩、翻得身、更嫌何處不稱尊。
                        If you go on further and turn your body about, no
                        place is left where you are not the master.



                        然雖如是、且道、百尺竿頭、如何進歩。嗄。
                        But even so, tell me, how will you go on further
                        from the top of a hundred-foot pole? Eh?"



                        Mumon's Verse
                        頌曰 瞎却頂門眼 He darkens the third eye of insight
                        錯認定盤星
                        And clings to the first mark on the scale.
                        拌身能捨命 Even though he
                        may sacrifice his life,
                        一盲引衆盲 He is only a blind man leading the
                        blind.




                        Or put very simply - seeing one's face for the first time does not perfect make us perfect Buddhas. It's really only the first mark on the scale. Some go so far as to say that our training doesn't really begin until we've had our dai kensho or great awakening experience. After enlightenment, there is still so much work left to be done! We still have to address what karmic obstacles remain and what insights into the nature of reality that we continue to miss. This means more meditation, more koans, more sesshins, and more sweat. In other words, post enlightenment training, that part of the path that turns us into perfect Buddhas, is basically identical to what came before. You proceed from the top of the pole in the same way that your climbed the first hundred feet. The tricky part is making that first step off the pole.






                        share|improve this answer



























                          1















                          Case 46 of the Mumonkan
                          Proceed On from the Top of the Pole
                          四十六 竿頭進歩



                          石霜和尚云、百尺竿頭、如何進歩。
                          Sekisõ Oshõ asked, "How can you proceed on further
                          from the top of a hundred-foot pole?"



                          又古徳云、百尺竿頭坐底人、雖然得入未爲眞。
                          Another eminent teacher of old said, "You, who
                          sit on the top of a hundred-foot pole, although you have entered the
                          Way you are not yet genuine.



                          百尺竿頭、須進歩十方世界現全身。
                          Proceed on from the top of the pole, and you will
                          show your whole body in the ten directions."



                          Mumon's Comment



                          無門曰、進得歩、翻得身、更嫌何處不稱尊。
                          If you go on further and turn your body about, no
                          place is left where you are not the master.



                          然雖如是、且道、百尺竿頭、如何進歩。嗄。
                          But even so, tell me, how will you go on further
                          from the top of a hundred-foot pole? Eh?"



                          Mumon's Verse
                          頌曰 瞎却頂門眼 He darkens the third eye of insight
                          錯認定盤星
                          And clings to the first mark on the scale.
                          拌身能捨命 Even though he
                          may sacrifice his life,
                          一盲引衆盲 He is only a blind man leading the
                          blind.




                          Or put very simply - seeing one's face for the first time does not perfect make us perfect Buddhas. It's really only the first mark on the scale. Some go so far as to say that our training doesn't really begin until we've had our dai kensho or great awakening experience. After enlightenment, there is still so much work left to be done! We still have to address what karmic obstacles remain and what insights into the nature of reality that we continue to miss. This means more meditation, more koans, more sesshins, and more sweat. In other words, post enlightenment training, that part of the path that turns us into perfect Buddhas, is basically identical to what came before. You proceed from the top of the pole in the same way that your climbed the first hundred feet. The tricky part is making that first step off the pole.






                          share|improve this answer

























                            1












                            1








                            1








                            Case 46 of the Mumonkan
                            Proceed On from the Top of the Pole
                            四十六 竿頭進歩



                            石霜和尚云、百尺竿頭、如何進歩。
                            Sekisõ Oshõ asked, "How can you proceed on further
                            from the top of a hundred-foot pole?"



                            又古徳云、百尺竿頭坐底人、雖然得入未爲眞。
                            Another eminent teacher of old said, "You, who
                            sit on the top of a hundred-foot pole, although you have entered the
                            Way you are not yet genuine.



                            百尺竿頭、須進歩十方世界現全身。
                            Proceed on from the top of the pole, and you will
                            show your whole body in the ten directions."



                            Mumon's Comment



                            無門曰、進得歩、翻得身、更嫌何處不稱尊。
                            If you go on further and turn your body about, no
                            place is left where you are not the master.



                            然雖如是、且道、百尺竿頭、如何進歩。嗄。
                            But even so, tell me, how will you go on further
                            from the top of a hundred-foot pole? Eh?"



                            Mumon's Verse
                            頌曰 瞎却頂門眼 He darkens the third eye of insight
                            錯認定盤星
                            And clings to the first mark on the scale.
                            拌身能捨命 Even though he
                            may sacrifice his life,
                            一盲引衆盲 He is only a blind man leading the
                            blind.




                            Or put very simply - seeing one's face for the first time does not perfect make us perfect Buddhas. It's really only the first mark on the scale. Some go so far as to say that our training doesn't really begin until we've had our dai kensho or great awakening experience. After enlightenment, there is still so much work left to be done! We still have to address what karmic obstacles remain and what insights into the nature of reality that we continue to miss. This means more meditation, more koans, more sesshins, and more sweat. In other words, post enlightenment training, that part of the path that turns us into perfect Buddhas, is basically identical to what came before. You proceed from the top of the pole in the same way that your climbed the first hundred feet. The tricky part is making that first step off the pole.






                            share|improve this answer














                            Case 46 of the Mumonkan
                            Proceed On from the Top of the Pole
                            四十六 竿頭進歩



                            石霜和尚云、百尺竿頭、如何進歩。
                            Sekisõ Oshõ asked, "How can you proceed on further
                            from the top of a hundred-foot pole?"



                            又古徳云、百尺竿頭坐底人、雖然得入未爲眞。
                            Another eminent teacher of old said, "You, who
                            sit on the top of a hundred-foot pole, although you have entered the
                            Way you are not yet genuine.



                            百尺竿頭、須進歩十方世界現全身。
                            Proceed on from the top of the pole, and you will
                            show your whole body in the ten directions."



                            Mumon's Comment



                            無門曰、進得歩、翻得身、更嫌何處不稱尊。
                            If you go on further and turn your body about, no
                            place is left where you are not the master.



                            然雖如是、且道、百尺竿頭、如何進歩。嗄。
                            But even so, tell me, how will you go on further
                            from the top of a hundred-foot pole? Eh?"



                            Mumon's Verse
                            頌曰 瞎却頂門眼 He darkens the third eye of insight
                            錯認定盤星
                            And clings to the first mark on the scale.
                            拌身能捨命 Even though he
                            may sacrifice his life,
                            一盲引衆盲 He is only a blind man leading the
                            blind.




                            Or put very simply - seeing one's face for the first time does not perfect make us perfect Buddhas. It's really only the first mark on the scale. Some go so far as to say that our training doesn't really begin until we've had our dai kensho or great awakening experience. After enlightenment, there is still so much work left to be done! We still have to address what karmic obstacles remain and what insights into the nature of reality that we continue to miss. This means more meditation, more koans, more sesshins, and more sweat. In other words, post enlightenment training, that part of the path that turns us into perfect Buddhas, is basically identical to what came before. You proceed from the top of the pole in the same way that your climbed the first hundred feet. The tricky part is making that first step off the pole.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered yesterday







                            user15164


































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                                대한민국 목차 국명 지리 역사 정치 국방 경제 사회 문화 국제 순위 관련 항목 각주 외부 링크 둘러보기 메뉴북위 37° 34′ 08″ 동경 126° 58′ 36″ / 북위 37.568889° 동경 126.976667°  / 37.568889; 126.976667ehThe Korean Repository문단을 편집문단을 편집추가해Clarkson PLC 사Report for Selected Countries and Subjects-Korea“Human Development Index and its components: P.198”“http://www.law.go.kr/%EB%B2%95%EB%A0%B9/%EB%8C%80%ED%95%9C%EB%AF%BC%EA%B5%AD%EA%B5%AD%EA%B8%B0%EB%B2%95”"한국은 국제법상 한반도 유일 합법정부 아니다" - 오마이뉴스 모바일Report for Selected Countries and Subjects: South Korea격동의 역사와 함께한 조선일보 90년 : 조선일보 인수해 혁신시킨 신석우, 임시정부 때는 '대한민국' 국호(國號) 정해《우리가 몰랐던 우리 역사: 나라 이름의 비밀을 찾아가는 역사 여행》“남북 공식호칭 ‘남한’‘북한’으로 쓴다”“Corea 대 Korea, 누가 이긴 거야?”국내기후자료 - 한국[김대중 前 대통령 서거] 과감한 구조개혁 'DJ노믹스'로 최단기간 환란극복 :: 네이버 뉴스“이라크 "韓-쿠르드 유전개발 MOU 승인 안해"(종합)”“해외 우리국민 추방사례 43%가 일본”차기전차 K2'흑표'의 세계 최고 전력 분석, 쿠키뉴스 엄기영, 2007-03-02두산인프라, 헬기잡는 장갑차 'K21'...내년부터 공급, 고뉴스 이대준, 2008-10-30과거 내용 찾기mk 뉴스 - 구매력 기준으로 보면 한국 1인당 소득 3만弗과거 내용 찾기"The N-11: More Than an Acronym"Archived조선일보 최우석, 2008-11-01Global 500 2008: Countries - South Korea“몇년째 '시한폭탄'... 가계부채, 올해는 터질까”가구당 부채 5000만원 처음 넘어서“‘빚’으로 내몰리는 사회.. 위기의 가계대출”“[경제365] 공공부문 부채 급증…800조 육박”“"소득 양극화 다소 완화...불평등은 여전"”“공정사회·공생발전 한참 멀었네”iSuppli,08年2QのDRAMシェア・ランキングを発表(08/8/11)South Korea dominates shipbuilding industry | Stock Market News & Stocks to Watch from StraightStocks한국 자동차 생산, 3년 연속 세계 5위자동차수출 '현대-삼성 웃고 기아-대우-쌍용은 울고' 과거 내용 찾기동반성장위 창립 1주년 맞아Archived"중기적합 3개업종 합의 무시한 채 선정"李대통령, 사업 무분별 확장 소상공인 생계 위협 질타삼성-LG, 서민업종인 빵·분식사업 잇따라 철수상생은 뒷전…SSM ‘몸집 불리기’ 혈안Archived“경부고속도에 '아시안하이웨이' 표지판”'철의 실크로드' 앞서 '말(言)의 실크로드'부터, 프레시안 정창현, 2008-10-01“'서울 지하철은 안전한가?'”“서울시 “올해 안에 모든 지하철역 스크린도어 설치””“부산지하철 1,2호선 승강장 안전펜스 설치 완료”“전교조, 정부 노조 통계서 처음 빠져”“[Weekly BIZ] 도요타 '제로 이사회'가 리콜 사태 불러들였다”“S Korea slams high tuition costs”““정치가 여론 양극화 부채질… 합리주의 절실””“〈"`촛불집회'는 민주주의의 질적 변화 상징"〉”““촛불집회가 민주주의 왜곡 초래””“국민 65%, "한국 노사관계 대립적"”“한국 국가경쟁력 27위‥노사관계 '꼴찌'”“제대로 형성되지 않은 대한민국 이념지형”“[신년기획-갈등의 시대] 갈등지수 OECD 4위…사회적 손실 GDP 27% 무려 300조”“2012 총선-대선의 키워드는 '국민과 소통'”“한국 삶의 질 27위, 2000년과 2008년 연속 하위권 머물러”“[해피 코리아] 행복점수 68점…해외 평가선 '낙제점'”“한국 어린이·청소년 행복지수 3년 연속 OECD ‘꼴찌’”“한국 이혼율 OECD중 8위”“[통계청] 한국 이혼율 OECD 4위”“오피니언 [이렇게 생각한다] `부부의 날` 에 돌아본 이혼율 1위 한국”“Suicide Rates by Country, Global Health Observatory Data Repository.”“1. 또 다른 차별”“오피니언 [편집자에게] '왕따'와 '패거리 정치' 심리는 닮은꼴”“[미래한국리포트] 무한경쟁에 빠진 대한민국”“대학생 98% "외모가 경쟁력이라는 말 동의"”“특급호텔 웨딩·200만원대 유모차… "남보다 더…" 호화病, 고질병 됐다”“[스트레스 공화국] ① 경쟁사회, 스트레스 쌓인다”““매일 30여명 자살 한국, 의사보다 무속인에…””“"자살 부르는 '우울증', 환자 중 85% 치료 안 받아"”“정신병원을 가다”“대한민국도 ‘묻지마 범죄’,안전지대 아니다”“유엔 "학생 '성적 지향'에 따른 차별 금지하라"”“유엔아동권리위원회 보고서 및 번역본 원문”“고졸 성공스토리 담은 '제빵왕 김탁구' 드라마 나온다”“‘빛 좋은 개살구’ 고졸 취업…실습 대신 착취”원본 문서“정신건강, 사회적 편견부터 고쳐드립니다”‘소통’과 ‘행복’에 목 마른 사회가 잠들어 있던 ‘심리학’ 깨웠다“[포토] 사유리-곽금주 교수의 유쾌한 심리상담”“"올해 한국인 평균 영화관람횟수 세계 1위"(종합)”“[게임연중기획] 게임은 문화다-여가활동 1순위 게임”“영화속 ‘영어 지상주의’ …“왠지 씁쓸한데””“2월 `신문 부수 인증기관` 지정..방송법 후속작업”“무료신문 성장동력 ‘차별성’과 ‘갈등해소’”대한민국 국회 법률지식정보시스템"Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project: South Korea"“amp;vwcd=MT_ZTITLE&path=인구·가구%20>%20인구총조사%20>%20인구부문%20>%20 총조사인구(2005)%20>%20전수부문&oper_YN=Y&item=&keyword=종교별%20인구& amp;lang_mode=kor&list_id= 2005년 통계청 인구 총조사”원본 문서“한국인이 좋아하는 취미와 운동 (2004-2009)”“한국인이 좋아하는 취미와 운동 (2004-2014)”Archived“한국, `부분적 언론자유국' 강등〈프리덤하우스〉”“국경없는기자회 "한국, 인터넷감시 대상국"”“한국, 조선산업 1위 유지(S. Korea Stays Top Shipbuilding Nation) RZD-Partner Portal”원본 문서“한국, 4년 만에 ‘선박건조 1위’”“옛 마산시,인터넷속도 세계 1위”“"한국 초고속 인터넷망 세계1위"”“인터넷·휴대폰 요금, 외국보다 훨씬 비싸”“한국 관세행정 6년 연속 세계 '1위'”“한국 교통사고 사망자 수 OECD 회원국 중 2위”“결핵 후진국' 한국, 환자가 급증한 이유는”“수술은 신중해야… 자칫하면 생명 위협”대한민국분류대한민국의 지도대한민국 정부대표 다국어포털대한민국 전자정부대한민국 국회한국방송공사about korea and information korea브리태니커 백과사전(한국편)론리플래닛의 정보(한국편)CIA의 세계 정보(한국편)마리암 부디아 (Mariam Budia),『한국: 하늘이 내린 한 폭의 그림』, 서울: 트랜스라틴 19호 (2012년 3월)대한민국ehehehehehehehehehehehehehehWorldCat132441370n791268020000 0001 2308 81034078029-6026373548cb11863345f(데이터)00573706ge128495