Life is Good, Even Off the Field

Hi Mr. Balmer,

I just wanted to thank you for your writing on what you have experienced in life. My search for a job or career that will be both fullfilling and enjoyable has been illusive these past few years. Now, I realize that I need to be a little more patient and yet determined. I hopefull; even beyond 40 years, it is still possible to do something I find joyful and purposeful.
Thanks, Ann

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Bgone,

Carl Jung said that "God is an archetype", meaning that humans are hard-wired to believe in a God-being.

I think that the human belief in resurrection, reincarnation, and an afterlife, is also probably a hard-wired archetype.

Perhaps also the idea of a hell or hells.

Some have criticised traditional Buddhism for its hell-realm, saying it's a method of social control: "Follow Buddhist precepts or you'll find yourself in a hell-realm", just as the Christian Church says, "Do what we tell you or you'll go to Hell."

As, you know, I'm agnostic as to these sorts of traditional Buddhist beliefs, not a true believer.

Norrie:

You answered the most compelling question, Buddhist like everyone else do not see this life as the end. Therefore it is as BH notes, natural and normal to expect more life after this life, "It's a part of our subconscious minds" which is expressed in the trinity, this life, next life and hell. This life is here and now. The next life is on the far side of the nebol bridge. And,perhaps his most significant discovery, the location of hell under the nebol bridge.

The three great faiths attack at that vulnerable point in the natural normal human mind by threatening, (terrorizing) the individual into believing that there is a place of punishment, hell for doing or failing to do as the high holy ones demand. In particular, the high holy ones demand money from the terrorized, "render to God that which is God's" your money. We owe everything to God.

Buddhists seem to be somewhere near with "illusionary hell." I must agree that hell is illusionary but very real in the minds of the faithful. "Unless you accept Jesus Christ as your savior, hell."

Bgone,

Thanks for your post.

As you know, I'm only a self-taught Buddhist sympathizer, and stand to be corrected by almost any practicing Buddhist.

But, based on my reading, here's what I think I've picked up:

"Do Buddhists have a 'next life' like them or is this life the bitter end of physical existence?"

After death, if you miss the dawning of the "clear light", and fail to enter it, you've missed your chance of attaining immediate enlightenment and enter the "Bardo of Becoming."

"Bardo" means "in-between state". The Bardo of Becoming is the state between death and rebirth. Typically in the Bardo one is confronted with vivid visions and sounds which can be very frightening. Demons and Devils are typically among these visions. They are, however actually insubstantial and without substance. Buddhists are trained to recognize their insubstantiality and to confront them.

Eventually most beings in the Bardo proceed to reincarnation in one of the six realms of existence. The Human Realm is the one most conducive to attaining enlightenment.

There is also a Hell Realm with many terrifying experiences, but as with the Bardo, the experiences are actually illusory and without substance. Every being's time in one of the realms of existence eventually comes to an end and the Bardo experience is repeated.

Concerning REINCARNATION:

At the center of every being is a mindstream that has eternal, uncreated existence. Each incarnation and reincarnation is a creation of the mindstream. Consider a Christmas tree hung with ornaments: the mindstream is the trunk of the tree; each reincarnated being is one of the ornaments.

The nature of each reicarnation is determined by the karma of the just-deceased being. The karma consists largely of the inclinations and intentions of the deceased being.

A reincarnated being normally has no memory of past existences and does not have the personal consciousness of the just-deceased being. There are some authenticated cases, however, of young children recalling their just-past life. See: TWENTY CASES SUGGESTIVE OF REINCARNATION, and a subsequent volume, by Ian Stevenson, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Virginia.

"Does 'enlightenment' have an upper limit? Are there devices for measuring it?"

You've either attained enlightenment or you haven't. There are no classes of enlightenment: you are or are not enlightened. Enlightenment is itself unlimited. Buddhists believe, however, that there are signs that show a person is progressing on the path to enlightenment. I should know the details but I really don't. You should consult Buddhist sources as to the signs. Probably Google would lead you to something useful.

Hope this is helpful.

Norrie Hoyt: You seem to have a good handle on the temporary nature of existence. Christians, the three great faiths take their's beyond this life. It's the 'boogie demon' that gets ya in the dark passage between this world and the next that is the foundation of their faith. All faith is in a demon that Jesus, Jehovah, Allah,.. saves folks from.

Do Buddhists have a 'next life' like them or is this life the bitter end of physical existence? I noticed the big deal made over Hirohito going to the big statue of Buddha and paying homage to the dead Japanese soldiers, WW2 in progress at the time.

Does 'enlightenment' have an upper limit? Are there devices for measuring it?

regards

I guess Balmer doesn't have any of the existential Angst we used to get from the clergy.

Professor Balmer,

I'm glad your life is good.

As this is a religious forum, I'd point out:

To a CHRISTIAN, worldly success is of no consequence and may be counterproductive (rich man - camel - eye of the needle).

To a BUDDHIST, worldly success is illusory and impermanent, and, if taken seriously, is an impediment on the path to enlightenment.

To T.S. ELIOT, poet and your fellow member of the Anglican community, even the greatest success represents only "The infirm glory of the positive hour."

Your happiness and "good life" seem largely based on worldly success. Will they last?