If Buddha Was Enlightened, Why Did He Still Die?
Hello friends, three days ago I was watching short videos on YouTube at my farmhouse. I was mostly watching spiritual videos so that I could find a different topic to write about.
So I was watching the achievements of Lord Buddha, this was not the first time I was watching but the special thing was that suddenly a thought came to my mind that why did he die even after attaining enlightenment.
It is no secret that Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha, achieved a state of enlightenment that hardly any mortal being has achieved. He went beyond the cycle of birth and death, went beyond suffering, and yet, he died just like any normal person.
This raises the question that what is the reason for Buddha's death? And what happens to a Buddhist after attaining enlightenment?
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| Buddha’s enlightenment and death, symbolizing the mystery of life and liberation |
🔖Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Reason for the death of Buddha even after attaining enlightenment
- What happens to a Buddhist after enlightenment?
- Conclusion
Reason for the death of Buddha even after attaining enlightenment
To understand the cause of Buddha's death, you need to know the concept of impermanence in Buddhism. Buddha taught that all things, whether physical or mental, are impermanent and subject to change. Despite his enlightenment, his physical body was still bound by the natural laws that govern all living beings. He grew old like any other human being, experienced disease and pain, and ultimately succumbed to the aging process.
Buddha's death was a natural consequence of his physical existence, a reminder that enlightenment does not grant immortality to the physical body.
READ ALSO: Buddha Enlightenment Story
But, what happens to a Buddhist after attaining enlightenment?
This question touches upon the Buddhist belief in the concept of rebirth. Buddhism teaches that after death, a being is reborn into a new existence based on their accumulated karma. For an enlightened being such as the Buddha, who has achieved Nirvana, the cycle of rebirth is considered broken. They do not take rebirth in the realm of further suffering.
Nirvana, often misunderstood as a state of eternal bliss, is more accurately described as the cessation of suffering and the liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It is a state of complete awareness and understanding, where attachment and craving cease to exist. When an enlightened being is believed to have entered Parinirvana, the final death marks their release from the cycle of existence for eternity.
Reflecting on this paradox, I feel a sense of awe and reverence for the Buddha's journey. Despite his profound wisdom, he remained a human being, subject to the same laws of impermanence that apply to all of us. His death is a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of life. At the same time, his attainment of nirvana offers hope and inspiration to all Buddhists who strive to follow his path.
Closing Thoughts
The cause of Buddha's death is the temporary nature of his physical body. Even though he had attained enlightenment, his mortal self could not escape the cycle of aging and death.
However, his enlightenment freed him from the suffering inherent in this cycle, leading to Parinirvana after the death of his body (not his death).
The paradox of Buddha's enlightenment and his mortality is a testament to the complexities of the human experience and the profundity of Buddhist teachings. It is a reminder that life is fleeting, but the pursuit of enlightenment promises eternal freedom from suffering.
READ MORE:
⏩ The Golden Egg Story with Moral
⏩ The purpose of life according to the Bhagavad Gita
⏩ Buddha's short story about calming the disturbed mind
⏩ The Happy Beggar - A short story on bringing some happiness to society
