Enlightenment, first of all, implies an insight into the…
““Enlightenment, first of all, implies an insight into the nature of Self. It is an emancipation of mind from illusion concerning Self. All kinds of sin take root deep in the misconception of Self, and putting forth the branches of lust, anger, and folly, throw dark shadows on life. To extirpate this misconception Buddhism[FN#179] strongly denies the existence of the individual soul as conceived by common sense-that is, that unchanging spiritual entity provided with sight, hearing, touch, smell, feeling, thought, imagination, aspiration, etc., which survives the body. It teaches us that there is no such thing as soul, and that the notion of soul is a gross illusion. It treats of body as a temporal material form of life doomed to be destroyed by death and reduced to its elements again. It maintains that mind is also a temporal spiritual form of life, behind which there is no immutable soul. [FN#179]””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Understanding that the self is not a permanent soul frees the mind from illusion, reducing suffering caused by desire and anger.
In simple terms: Self is illusion; freeing mind reduces suffering.
Key Takeaway
Recognize impermanence, let go of ego.
Themes
spirituality
philosophy
psychology
Mood
contemplative
serene
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- meditation
- ethical decision-making
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
non-self
impermanence
illusion
Questions to Reflect On
- How does letting go of ego change your reactions?
- What practices help see the self as impermanent?