Ask A Monk: Stephen Hawking, Death, Rebirth and Nirvana

[CecilBlanc]

In relation to an enlightened being, once the physical body dies, and say for arguement sake experience remains, WHERE does experience continue and why? What is then the purpose of the enlightened beins experience. If there is no purpose, what then happens. Would the mind cease to exist? A lot of interesting points made, but why would anyone want to end their suffering if it comes at an expense of not experiecning anymore?

[2eidolons]

I'm enjoying your videos Yuttadhammo.

However, I believe you're misunderstanding something about the nature of the observer and the observed with regard to what the physics guys have to say. From what I've read the idea that stuff is "observed into existence" could very well be a measurement problem.

Also, I think the best one can say about the rebirth situation is that it's unknowable, either way. I couldn't really discern a "factual" basis for belief in rebirth from your talk.

[ilovetodraw555]

Aung tete co mahal kah.

[MrGunwitch]

Apparently Venerable Ananda committed suicide.

[MrGunwitch]

@bhasinuscuscable

Incorrect.

[KraszuPolis]

You are wrong, observation in physics is anything that interacts, light shining on a particle is an observation in physics. There is no conciousness required.

Experience is emergent property of the brain, no brain no experience. Emergent property will no longer be there when parts that build it will be set in different way. It requires no leap of faith there were many studies done on people with brain damage who lost some part of the experience in result.

[yuttadhammo]

@KraszuPolis and you are very sure of yourself... what if I told you the brain was an emergent property of experience; no experience, no brain? It requires no leap of faith; the only means by which one can talk about the brain is in relation to one's experience of it. No experience, no brain.

[kostoberist]

@yuttadhammo if i'm sleeping, there is no experience (i don't dream). what happens to my brain then?

[MrGunwitch]

@KraszuPolis

Utterly incorrect. I suggest you read Dr Pimm van Lommel's article in the Lancet for a taster of your ignorance.

[darkevilbitch666]

A very good talk.

Just as if that which has been turned over is turned upright, or that which has been hidden is revealed, or one who has lost his way is informed of the right way, or a lamp is held in the darkness so that those with eyes might see objects, even so Venerable Yuttadhammo has shown the truth in many ways.

Sadhu! :)

Some nitpicking: The name is Hawking, not Hawkings. And the word "irregardless" is a nonsensical conglomerate of "regardless" and "irregarding".

[sl2mmer]

experience DMT and you shall know the truth.

[Svedn]

@sl2mmer what truth? truth about gnomes? that solves it all.

[minchi279]

People are scared of death for one more reason which is that they are going to have to leave their loved once and dependent behind.such as children,siblings, parents and spouse. this could make people worry and that worrying could become a scare.

[TheEnigma38]

Why do humans naturally cry about death?

[minchi279]

@TheEnigma38

Because we strongly believe that it is an extremely painful event.However the people who came back from death,(people who came a cross near death experience in other words people who have got their physical body and the astral body separated for a while)have told death is not bad as it is thought to be.

there is a meditating called marananussathi which involves constant reminding of death can be helpful to over come this is greater lengths.

[minchi279]

Not only humans but all the living beings are scared of death.!

[minchi279]

even Bacterias will run away from harmful chemicals to them.Its very natural and its caused by the greediness it self.People who attained Nirvana will never be scared of death.!

[Mjakucin1018]

Thanks Noah, always of great insight and benefit. :)

[tbalsillie]

Wonderful thought found in your talk at: 12:45

[bumblesby]

I disagree mostly with you on this topic, but that's OK. I can see your point about cause and effect that continues after we are gone irregardless of a rebirth.

[DerrenBrown100]

Some good Youtube clips-

'Sam Harris on the brain vs. the mind'-  /watch?v=AA-5RS4zz7Q

'Reincarnation FAIL'- /watch?v=PiAWDV2jI1g

'BBC Horizon - The Secret You'- /watch?v=xBcIPox4vRo

When your brain dies you lose consciousness and that will be it. It's clear that without consciousness you do not experience. There is no mind without a brain.

[squamish4244]

@DerrenBrown100 Prove it.

[sampajanna]

@DerrenBrown100 when part of the brain dies, part of the mind dies, but consciousness is still there, there is still experiencing going on. When the brain dies, the mind dies, but consciousness is still there, there is still experiencing. And consciousness itself arises and ceases in any given moment, it's not a continuous stream, this you can see for yourself through being highly skilled at meditation.

[MrGunwitch]

@DerrenBrown100

Incorrect. Reference Dr Pimm Van Lommel's work on the matter.

[Sadhaka5]

Thank you for reuploading with better sound.