Death, Decay & Fragile Beauty - IMPERMANENCE in Vedanta and Buddhism
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ส.ค. 2024
- Both Buddhism and Vedanta fully agree about the importance of the principle of impermanence (Pali: anicca, Sanskrit: anitya). By recognizing the transient nature of all that exists, you can discover how to break free from clinging attachment and worldly suffering.
Video - Buddhism vs Advaita Vedanta-What's the Difference? • Buddhism vs Advaita Ve...
0:00 Impermanence and Attachment
11:59 Preciousness of Life
16:26 Rabindranath Tagore
In ancient times, Gautama Buddha and Sri Krishna both taught that spiritual growth depends on turning away from fleeting worldly pleasures. Over a thousand years ago, great Buddhist and Vedantic scholars like Nagarjuna and Shankaracharya used precise logic and powerful reasoning to demonstrate the metaphysical foundations for the impermanence of all that exists. And in more recent times, celebrated teachers like Thich Nhat Hanh and Ramana Maharishi helped their followers recognize the transient nature of worldly existence and the importance of spiritual inquiry, knowledge and practice.
Due to entropy, anything made of individual pieces eventually falls apart. Atoms, mountains, and even vast galaxies are all subject to decay and destruction. And that fact applies equally to your car, your home, your body, your loved ones, to everything you hold dear. And whenever you lose someone or something that's dear, you suffer. The teachings of Buddhism and Vedanta are meant to help free you from that suffering.
Those teachings say, because everything in the world is impermanent, you are subject to losing all that you consider dear - loved ones, health, employment, money, as well as pleasures, physical comforts, etc. But you suffer, not because of losing all those things, but because of your clinging attachment to them. In other words, you suffer due to your inability to let go, your inability to accept unfavorable situations, and your continual longing for whatever can't have.
Fortunately, breaking free from all attachments doesn't mean that you have to become emotionless, aloof and indifferent to everyone and everything in your life. For example, the Dalai Lama is presumably free from all attachments, and yet, he deeply embodies compassion, love, and kindness. His life shows that it is indeed possible to be loving and detached at the same time.
To recognize the impermanent, fleeting nature of life need not be sad or fatalistic. That recognition can actually make each day of life far more precious. The Dalai Lama said, "Awareness of impermanence and appreciating our human potential will give us a sense of urgency that we must use every precious moment."
Swami Tadatmananda is a traditionally-trained teacher of Advaita Vedanta, meditation, and Sanskrit. For more information, please see: www.arshabodha...
Thank you, Swami-ji.
Living in Japan, this reminds me of a poem.
In the Japanese language, there is a poem called the Iroha. It is a poem which uses every single letter of the Japanese syllabary once, and only once. The traditional Japanese syllabary (hiragana or katakana) had 47 letters (48, but two letters represented the same sound). Not only does the Iroha use each of these letters only once each, but it does so in a 7-5 morae pattern. And not only THAT, but it's a profound poem. And not only THAT, but if you take the last letter of each line, it spells out, "To die without wrongdoing."
いろはにほへと
ちりぬるを
わかよたれそ
つねならむ
うゐのおくやま
けふこえて
あさきゆめみし
ゑひもせす
Although its scent still lingers on
the form of a flower has scattered away
For whom will the glory
of this world remain unchanged?
Arriving today at the yonder side
of the deep mountains of evanescent existence
We shall never allow ourselves to drift away
intoxicated, in the world of shallow dreams.
This topic couldn't have been more timely as I struggle with the passing of a beloved one. Very grateful your wisdom can travel through continents and bring comfort in a distant corner of the world. Thank you 🙏
I was missing my childhood a lot for the last few weeks. I wish I could still enjoy things the way I used to as a child. I miss my grandparents home. I miss the special food grandma used to prepare. 😢
In ages past, wise sages spoke,
Of truths that in our hearts awoke.
Buddha, Krishna, scholars grand,
Revealed a truth, so understand.
The world's pleasures, they are fleeting,
In this truth, there's no retreating.
Nagarjuna and Shankaracharya's art,
With logic and reason, they'd impart.
Galaxies, atoms, all must fade,
In entropy's grasp, they're laid.
Your cherished things, both near and far,
Inevitably, they become a star.
Suffering, they said, is born of cling,
To worldly treasures, to everything.
Let go, they urged, embrace what's real,
Release the bonds, let your heart heal.
Emotionless, we need not be,
To set our attachments free.
The Dalai Lama's love does show,
Compassion in the afterglow.
Life's impermanence, not to dread,
But cherish moments, as they spread.
With every breath, a chance to seize,
Awake to life's eternal breeze.
In each fleeting moment's dance,
Find the beauty, take a chance.
For in impermanence, we find,
A love that's boundless, undefined.
Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu 🙏👏
Change is a guarantee. Attachment/clinging causes misery.🙏 Thank you, Swami for addressing Impermanence.
Gracias amado Swami ji por conducirnos por el camino de la sabiduría . ❤❤❤
Thank you, Swamiji. This video and your other teachings are helping me a lot to cope with the sudden passing of my dearly beloved father this summer. You remind me of him very much. I always knew I would lose him someday, and I cherished every moment.🙏
Muchísimas gracias Swami por tus enseñanzas. El ponerlas en práctica nos ayuda a mejorar nuestra vida y la de los
demás. Larga vida para tí, para que nos sigas beneficiando a todos los seres sintientes. Tashi Delek.
Wonderful and deep Swamiji 🙏 That poem that was sung reminds me of Gondola no Uta in the Akira Kurusawa film Ikiru. I watched that many times pre-Vedanta. It makes me wonder about the impact of that song on the children who grew up into who they are now because with me the Kurusawa film helped turn everything inwards and not outwards. 🙏 Thank you, Swamiji!
Very beautiful teachings Swamiji! Impermanence brings both tears and smiles together 🙏🏽
The music poem made me cry, thanks.
So beautiful! And being 81 i found so many items recognizable.🙏
É esattamente quello su cui sto lavorando in questa fase della mia vita, sento la necessità di liberarmi da ogni attaccamento materiale ed affettivo.
Mi accorgo di come non ci si possa liberare dalla sofferenza se continuo ad essere eccessivamente attaccata a mia figlia, ai miei fratelli e genitori anziani.
Ho intanto iniziato a regalare il 50% delle cose materiali che avevo a casa e che non mi erano più necessarie.
Grazie ❤
Except for the digital music recording example, thoroughly enjoyed the talk.
Anyday would prefer digital to live.❤🙏Thanks for your insights. 70 years Birthday clip was too good. Your laughter took it away.🙏🙏🙏
True love never dies. Yes it changes but it lasts forever. ❤
Thank you so so much Swami. May God bless you with good health and long life. I usually wait for every Wenesday just to listen to your teachings. I haven't found any teacher like you in my life. Thank you , thank you very much.
Is that Swamiji singing? If so, Swamiji has a wonderful singing voice!!! Love it !!
Thank you Swamiji 🙏
Swamiji, we have to learnt a lot more from u and every time when ur lectures come, I become excited to watch as soon as possible, we wish for u a longer life as every moment of u will lead us, provide us the knowledge to realise the truth. My prostrations.
SALUTATIONS to Brahman, thank you swami Tadatmananda for this great insight about impermanence and attachment which you called emotional dependence.... this is a huge problem to humanity yet it's little understood. It's like people are in slumber and all they know is clinging, corruption, accumulated wealth, and once asked myself why and where are they taking this trash... .. people generally don't even think that all is transitory. I thank you once again from where you and @swamisarvapriyananda got me and where I am now. ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Gratidão, Swamiji! ótima reflexão para o dia de finados!!
Thank you for this stellar video, it touches my heart as the teachings through your videos have made me realize what you have realized. One can be detached yet engaged in the world, I feel it too. Finding beauty in impermanence, the fleeting of every moment making you capable of much more, driving you. People around me notice it
Thank you Swamiji, the analogy of a flower has been an eye opener, especially after loss of my dear mother . Yes today I realise all great songs of love tug your heart as the Lovers are aware these priceless moments will last only till sunrise
Pranam Swami ji
*_The song rendition of Tagore resembles a Power Metal ballad. 🙏🏽_*
Wonderful ending!!
Excellent speaker. I want this charisma.
Magnificent clarity
Thank you very much for this video! It is wonderful! Thank you, again!❤
Oh my god. That is so beautuful. Thank you very much Swamiji!
If impermanence is fully understood and accepted, then you would never try to hold on. It is futile.
Instead, there is an appreciation for what is as long as it is.
Very beautifully explained guruji. In this fast paced life we have lost the time to appreciate what we have and be grateful 🙏
thank you for making these wonderful videos Swamiji! Beautiful song at the end!
Deepest love and respect Swamiji ❤️🙏
I'd liek to listen to this poem sung on loop. 🙏🙏 . Pranams to Swamiji 🙏🙏
thank you Swami for the great, and informative videos! i'm glad i found this channel! :)
Thank you for the teaching, Swami 😊🌺🙏
Thank you for your wisdom in these videos. Great song also. Namaste.
Very nice sir.
Loved the video. Brought some peace into my chaotic life. Txs a lot Swami! 💛
Thank you for this video Swamiji 🙏🙏❤️❤️
Thank you Swamiji for this beautifull explination of detachment, so helpfull❤
Please can I get the title to the original Rabindro geeth? Adi Sankara to Buddha to Rabindro….just wonderful 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you, Swami-ji! 🙏
Gracias, un tema muy importante, saber de la impermanencia, lo vemos todos los dìas, pero es ese apego a las cosas y personas que tengo que no me permite darme cuenta con total nitidez. Pero lo tendrè presente cada dìa màs. Estoy muy interesada en escuchar sus enseñanzas, estoy siguiendo el curso de Vedanta en sus vìdeos. Infinitas bendiciones !
Blessings 🙏🏿 💯
But this very deep realisation will come when you experience this ❤
🙏🙏 Thank you Swamiji.
That ending poem hit different
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 hats off Guruji
Each time I try to focus on impermanence, especially when thinking of my wife and son, I get deeply depressed. I don't know how to be mindful of impermanence while also not being made sullen by it.
TLDR: Embracing impermanence in Buddhism and Vedanta leads to healthy detachment and reveals the beauty in fragility.
1. 00:00 💡 Spiritual growth in Buddhism and Vedanta comes from recognizing the impermanence of worldly pleasures and understanding that everything, including thoughts and emotions, is subject to change and decay.
1.1 Buddhism and Vedanta both emphasize the principle of impermanence, teaching that spiritual growth comes from turning away from fleeting worldly pleasures and recognizing the transient nature of worldly existence.
1.2 Everything, from physical things to thoughts and emotions, is subject to impermanence and change, leading to either greater order or disorder, decay, and destruction.
2. 03:11 🕉 The teachings of Buddhism and Vedanta focus on freeing people from suffering by understanding the impermanence of everything in the world.
2.1 The teachings of Buddhism and Vedanta aim to free people from suffering, as even those living in luxury are still subject to physical and emotional pain.
2.2 Everything in the world is impermanent, leading to suffering due to attachment and inability to let go.
3. 06:13 🌬 Attachment is emotional dependence on external factors for well-being, which leads to lack of control and constant frustration.
4. 07:58 🌸 Understand impermanence to avoid attachments and suffering, without becoming emotionless.
5. 09:48 💡 Embracing impermanence in Buddhism and Vedanta leads to healthy detachment and reveals the beauty in fragility.
5.1 Pure love is untainted by selfishness or self-interest, but is often obstructed by attachment, as seen in the example of parents' demands on their children, which stem from clinging attachment rather than unconditional love.
5.2 Embracing impermanence in Buddhism and Vedanta leads to healthy detachment and reveals the beauty in fragility.
6. 12:41 💔 Impermanence of beauty is highlighted through the comparison of a plastic flower to a real one, and the fleeting nature of beauty evokes deep affection.
6.1 The speaker compares a plastic flower to a real one, highlighting the impermanence of beauty and the preference for the real flower despite its short lifespan.
6.2 The fleeting nature of beauty, such as in live music, children, and aging loved ones, evokes deep affection, while stately monuments are less likely to do so.
7. 15:20 🌸 Recognizing the impermanent nature of life can make each day more precious and energize spiritual practice.
8. 17:43 🌸 Pluck this little flower, take it delay not.
No refuge but the dharma.
Thankyou guruji
🙏
Is that you singing the song, Swamiji?
You put nice music in all of your videos!!
Impermanence - Law of Vibration. 😊
woa, the beard! buddah would be astonished!
As I have understood it, Swamiji, the idea of impermanence was a Buddhist idea to REFUTE the idea of an immortal and unchanging Aathman. Buddhists spent a lot, I mean a lot, of time refuting Vedic teachings. As regards Entropy, scientists know that the cells of the body USE ENERGY TO FIGHT ENTROPY the best way they can. That is the whole goal of life, is to survive and fight decay. But yes, we know that decay wins in the end. Could it be the lack of a yogic way of living that leads to decay of the body? Unhealthy food, lack of yoga-based exercise, the lack of pranayama, never-ending worries, you name it! These days I start my day at sunrise walking barefoot in the grass around our home, soaking in the energy of the plants of the trees there. And soaking in the gorgeous rays of the morning sun. Energy itself never ever decays, as per the first law of thermodynamics. And I believe that Praana is a form of energy. So my focus at my age of 75 is to incorporate as much pranayama into my life as possible. Pranaams.
Was that last bit an original arrangement? Did you play the instruments and everything?
Seems so to me...since the original poem is written in Bengali
In particle physics, even particles like proton are not permanent, they may decay in about 10^14 years. The elementary particles such as quarks, electrons, whose life time is unknown, undergo transformation, and go in and out of existence. So the only permanent entity in this universe is perhaps, Brahman. The particle physicists know this intellectually, but still suffer in life! 🙂
conventionally (i.e through 'time') conditioned things are impermanent. but ultimately they are empty and so impermanence is not applicable
❤
🙏🙏🙏
But Why do people who have millions and billions and have so many possessions use and abuse those of us who have nothing because we don’t fight back? Should we just be slaves and be ok with it as acceptance and impermanence?
It feels like what you are saying is BE OK WITH BEING A SLAVE. That’s not just. Your thoughts?
You have to consider Samsara in the eastern worldview. You will have infinite lives after this one. Fighting back in a sense should not be your goal, because there are and will be infinite other worlds like this one with the same power dynamics. You do what you can locally to help but your goal in life should be spiritual because the material world is ever changing and can't bring you lasting happiness and contentment. Even if you make the system better it's only a matter of time before the same thing happens again.
In christian religion, it's always blessed are the poor, never the rich are said to be blessed. I understand why even more now because the more you have, the more you become attached. And when you are rich you can't be sure if you are loved for you or your money.
I am poor, fat, ugly and rejected, but now as I get older, I see how beautiful my body is and who I am is wonderful despite being rejected and poor, because soon I will leave this body and move on to only God knows where. I will miss who I am in this life.
I am a little scared about what happens next, but also in Christianity, it is taught to just have faith. I think having faith is linked in to impermanence. It would be easier to have faith maybe if you aren't so attached.
Is it realistic, this idea that I can be indifferent to the needs of the body and psyche? What if I'm set on fire--can I just sit around perfectly chilled out about it? No? Okay, then where do you draw some arbitrary line?
Impermanence = I Am Permanence.
I respect you Swami as a very good teacher of Vedanta philosophy and Advaita view, but you kind of made fun of Kundalini Yog and that is unfortunate.
Kundalini Yog (in the context of Hatha Yog and Pranayam) is the ONLY complete path of Body, Energy and Mind all together. Most paths/methods taught today (especially on youtube) are only applied to the mind - they are conceptual and so merely a "head trip."
We are not just "mind" and contrary to a common western view, we are not a mind "trapped" in a physical/material body. We are "being" - which includes ALL aspects of experience including the body, our subtle energy as well as the mind. Complete enlightenment (liberation) is not possible by means of transforming the mind alone. Doing so is merely 1/3 at best of what is needed.
Until the Yogi/Yogini MASTERS the BODY, the SUBTLE BODY and the MIND, complete enlightenment is not possible!
And because of this, most people who practice spiritual disciplines are aiming (whether they know it or not) ONLY for an opportunity AFTER death - when the mind becomes subtle and free of concept & physicality. But Tantra is for this present life!
Hatha Yog, Pranayama and Kundalini are in combination the ONLY true path to complete and absolute liberation from pain and distress (samsara).
I offer this advice to you without attachment or animosity in any way, you are erudite and accomplished in Vedantic studies and practice but Tantra - especially Kundalini is in your future. It will bring you to the completion stage.
🙏 Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Dalai lama não serve de exemplo pra nada.
We don't consider buddhism and jainism as a separate religion
We consider them as left and right arms of hinduism .
Dear Swami, please be informed that the Dalai Lama is not a good example. He, because of his ego, a so called orakel, caused lots of pain and violence even death! between two groups of Buddhists, that members within families fell apart because of this interpretation. Please read about the Dorge Shugden incidents that went very violently.
Very good video, you hand in good produce as expected.
9:20 Perhaps this should be looked over. As you've raised Dani Lama, a verified Pedophile as being a role model. For those unsure, look up his "tongue greeting".