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I had a thought why this morning. I commute for about an hour, it's my thinking time.
Curious, what you will say?
Question posted is:
is it easier to progress into enlightenment for a lineage above mentioned, or for a common folk person? As it been said, that such progression requires great sacrifice and "look at buddhas - all of them came from rulers families. They gave up kingdoms"
The ease to progress is depended on one's inherent drives to be enlightened which can be within any human being either, rich, king, prince, ruler, householder, beggar or poor. Thus 'nature' in this case is the critical contributing factor. 'Nurture' factors may play a role but I believe it is secondary.
I believe the stories of kings, princes and the very rich converting to Buddhism is merely send the message that materialism is not critical to life and as means to resolve one's dukkha [primal sufferings].
The abandonment of everything "wordily" is fine tune in practically all modern religions and sects.
If you look at list of buddhas, Hindu tradition, practically all of them came from very effluent blood line.
To the tune of "see, what THEY sacrificed?" A kingdom!
I actually think it is easier for them to make that sacrifice, than for a normal Joe, who spent his life working towards normal goals of normal life. Job, education, wife, house, investments, etc. realities of life hard earned and worked for. Then, some time later, an understanding comes - all in vane.
Born into wealth and power didn't put up all that effort. They had it served to them on the silver plate with golden margin. Gautama until age of 29 never saw a dead leaf. An old person. Anything non-esthetic or beautiful. He simply had it. He did not put any effort into obtaining all that.
Now, compare that with Joe, who put 50-60 years of his life "into it". Everything he "has" is worked hard for.
Then, both of them are in front of a life changing decision to be made. "I have to drop it all and jump into abyss of enlightenment". See where I'm headed? I feel, it is easier for one who had it given, provided, than for one, who worked for it.
Born into wealth and power didn't put up all that effort. They had it served to them on the silver plate with golden margin. Gautama until age of 29 never saw a dead leaf. An old person. Anything non-esthetic or beautiful. He simply had it. He did not put any effort into obtaining all that.
I believe the Buddha Story is a well constructed myth to deliver its intended message of the 4NT and 8FP.
It is impossible for some one at age 29 not to have observed and noted his parents and others working with him aging.
In addition is not likely Gautama never got sick in his 29 years especially during 2,500 years ago when medicine, health, etc, were not that advanced.
One will note the main elements of the Buddha Story fit too nicely with the 4NT and 8FP, and that was because it was constructed to meet its intended message.
Correct. The so called Maslow priorities must be satisfied before progression. Or so they say. Then again, many "ascetics" starve themselves for a fault goal of attainment via body punishment.
It's still not what I am saying. I say, it is easier for one, who had it given to him, to drop it all to attain, than for one who vested most of his life into wordly rewards achievement.
I rejected all my family's 'comforts'....went on my spiritual journey at 19.
What happiness did their comfortable living ever bring them?
Rich children see that clearly, my opinion.
I am saying, it is easier to sacrifice a kingdom that was given to you, than a property and some comforts of life, that you have worked hard for your entire life.
Namaste
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