What Am I?

[scameter]

According to Buddhism, so far as I know, this existence was created by karma, or cause and effect, as are many aspects of my self, such as attachment and suffering. But, there must be a self that is me; I don't mean my attachments or my thoughts, but the thing that I become once I am enlightened. But, what am I? Once I become enlightened, and lose karma, what do I become? Nothing, or something, or something else? lol Just curious. :P

[sahyo]

But, what am I?

can't be said

Once I become enlightened.

won't become

[scameter]

So, I don't change into enlightenment? How do I change from not being enlightened to being enlightened then? lol

[clyde]

scameter;

Karma is intention or volitional action and is attributed to human beings, not existence. (See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma_in_Buddhism .)

Existence and its current state arises due to dependent origination. (See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dependent_origination .)

The doctrine of no-self (anatta; see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatta ) is that there is no self-existent (independent and permanent) entity. Examine your body or your mind, and you will find only changing occurrences that arise due to causes and conditions, and are temporary.

clyde

[Noway2Zero]

as long as you have that mind-state 'once i become' you are saying i must become..

if you are telling yourself 'i must become' you will always be telling yourself 'i must become' it wont magically change one day.. so this is a big mistake :)

enlightenment = freedom(Kingdom of Heaven, Nirvana)

[scameter]

To clyde: Ah, so that is the Buddhist view, ok. I thought they attributed karma to existence too, but obviously not. Thanks.

To Noway: Thanks. :)

[Noway2Zero]

:)