Attention and Buddhism in the Understanding of Dukkha and the End of Dukkha
Attention and Buddhism in the Understanding of Dukkha and the End of Dukkha
The goal of Buddhism is understanding dukkha and bringing about an end to dukkha. Attention is crucial to understanding and practicing Buddhism. Attention, defined as notice, awareness, or concentration of the mind to a single aspect is represented in Buddhism through a conscious mindfulness of each moment only as it occurs. In all forms of Buddhism, attention forms the basis for recognizing the conditions in life (including dukkha) created through interdependent co-arising, and developing skillful habits in order to end dukkha and attain awakening.
According to Matthieu Ricard, a Tibetan Buddhist, attention is a meditative state in which the individual is mindful of the moment as it occurs (Ricard, 2). Attention to the moment fundamentally changes an individual’s perspective by allowing the person to see life objectively. Conversely, lack of attention to conditions creates dukkha through “cool stories” or delusions. Zen Buddhism also explores attention through the idea of Dharma Gates and the practices of the Bodhisattva. With Dharma Gates, reality is nothing outside this moment; individuals have the potential to realize enlightenment in every moment. Paying attention, or being fully aware, of the conditions of an experience allows individuals to recognize conditions that create dukkha, to let the conditions go, and to attain awakening. However, by being aware of experiences through attention, practitioners are also more aware of suffering. Through ICA and sunyata, the Buddhist practitioner is influenced by dukkha in the lives of all beings. Bodhisattva’s choose to continue to remain unenlightened; in order to continue Samsara and assist others in attaining enlightenment through practice, including attention. Finally, in Vajrayana Buddhism, attention is directed toward deities (or Vajrasattvas) through tantric practices to develop wholesome habits or mental states; this development facilitate awakening. Practitioners meditate in order to become fully aware and accept the moment as it is. In all these Buddhist practices, attention serves as the foundation for basic Buddhist beliefs and the basis for complex theories and practices.
For me, attention is the crucial term in Buddhism because it serves as the foundational step taken to realize dukkha and the possibility of enlightenment. Attention is a constant practice (from moment to moment) taken by the Buddhist practitioner in order to realize awakening. Without attention to the moment, individuals would not recognize the need for Buddhism or enlightenment. Theoretically attention alone, separate from Buddhist practice and teachings, would be a crucial step in awakening. This does not suggest that attention is easy I believe attention is both the hardest and most simple practice in Buddhism. Modern life provides countless distractions; paying attention to the moment as it occurs becomes crucial in life.
In Buddhist practice, attention (to moments as they occur) allows the individual to recognize that moments of experience, including dukkha (dissatisfaction and suffering) are the result of interdependent co-arising and are inherently transient (anicca). Attention fosters acceptance of the moment, free from delusion. By viewing the moment objectively, through attention, the individual realizes that the moment cannot be other than it is. This acceptance of moments prevents attachment and grasping (of cravings or beliefs) and facilitates the “letting go” of moments, preventing secondary dukkha from occurring. Recognition of ICA in moments, through attention, leads to recognition of ICA in the creation of the individual as a result and factor of all things. This recognition of influence develops the understanding of anatta, or non-self, as a being interconnected with all creation. Interconnectivity in turn develops the ideas of sunyata, and mindfulness of the influence of all by one’s actions. This is facilitated in practice through attention to each moment as it occurs. This recognition develops compassion and loving-kindness toward self and others, resulting in Bodhicittva and striving toward Bodhisattva leading to the further development of skillful habits. Recognition of ICA, furthers the practice of attention (awareness) through self-examination through meditation and social-engagement in order to facilitate an end to dukkha and awakening for all.
Thus, attention is the foundational practice of Buddhism. Attention, to the moment as it occurs, allows the individual to become aware of the existence of dukkha and the possibility of its end (in awakening to objective reality) through the development of skillful habits. Furthermore, attention continues to underpin Buddhist practices (such as the Eightfold Path or meditation), serving as a constant from moment to moment in individual’s practice.
The goal of Buddhism is understanding dukkha and bringing about an end to dukkha. Attention is crucial to understanding and practicing Buddhism. Attention, defined as notice, awareness, or concentration of the mind to a single aspect is represented in Buddhism through a conscious mindfulness of each moment only as it occurs. In all forms of Buddhism, attention forms the basis for recognizing the conditions in life (including dukkha) created through interdependent co-arising, and developing skillful habits in order to end dukkha and attain awakening.
According to Matthieu Ricard, a Tibetan Buddhist, attention is a meditative state in which the individual is mindful of the moment as it occurs (Ricard, 2). Attention to the moment fundamentally changes an individual’s perspective by allowing the person to see life objectively. Conversely, lack of attention to conditions creates dukkha through “cool stories” or delusions. Zen Buddhism also explores attention through the idea of Dharma Gates and the practices of the Bodhisattva. With Dharma Gates, reality is nothing outside this moment; individuals have the potential to realize enlightenment in every moment. Paying attention, or being fully aware, of the conditions of an experience allows individuals to recognize conditions that create dukkha, to let the conditions go, and to attain awakening. However, by being aware of experiences through attention, practitioners are also more aware of suffering. Through ICA and sunyata, the Buddhist practitioner is influenced by dukkha in the lives of all beings. Bodhisattva’s choose to continue to remain unenlightened; in order to continue Samsara and assist others in attaining enlightenment through practice, including attention. Finally, in Vajrayana Buddhism, attention is directed toward deities (or Vajrasattvas) through tantric practices to develop wholesome habits or mental states; this development facilitate awakening. Practitioners meditate in order to become fully aware and accept the moment as it is. In all these Buddhist practices, attention serves as the foundation for basic Buddhist beliefs and the basis for complex theories and practices.
For me, attention is the crucial term in Buddhism because it serves as the foundational step taken to realize dukkha and the possibility of enlightenment. Attention is a constant practice (from moment to moment) taken by the Buddhist practitioner in order to realize awakening. Without attention to the moment, individuals would not recognize the need for Buddhism or enlightenment. Theoretically attention alone, separate from Buddhist practice and teachings, would be a crucial step in awakening. This does not suggest that attention is easy I believe attention is both the hardest and most simple practice in Buddhism. Modern life provides countless distractions; paying attention to the moment as it occurs becomes crucial in life.
In Buddhist practice, attention (to moments as they occur) allows the individual to recognize that moments of experience, including dukkha (dissatisfaction and suffering) are the result of interdependent co-arising and are inherently transient (anicca). Attention fosters acceptance of the moment, free from delusion. By viewing the moment objectively, through attention, the individual realizes that the moment cannot be other than it is. This acceptance of moments prevents attachment and grasping (of cravings or beliefs) and facilitates the “letting go” of moments, preventing secondary dukkha from occurring. Recognition of ICA in moments, through attention, leads to recognition of ICA in the creation of the individual as a result and factor of all things. This recognition of influence develops the understanding of anatta, or non-self, as a being interconnected with all creation. Interconnectivity in turn develops the ideas of sunyata, and mindfulness of the influence of all by one’s actions. This is facilitated in practice through attention to each moment as it occurs. This recognition develops compassion and loving-kindness toward self and others, resulting in Bodhicittva and striving toward Bodhisattva leading to the further development of skillful habits. Recognition of ICA, furthers the practice of attention (awareness) through self-examination through meditation and social-engagement in order to facilitate an end to dukkha and awakening for all.
Thus, attention is the foundational practice of Buddhism. Attention, to the moment as it occurs, allows the individual to become aware of the existence of dukkha and the possibility of its end (in awakening to objective reality) through the development of skillful habits. Furthermore, attention continues to underpin Buddhist practices (such as the Eightfold Path or meditation), serving as a constant from moment to moment in individual’s practice.