RENOUNCING THE WORLD, RENOUNCING THE FAMILY

Geoff Childs

doi:10.4324/9781315688114-38

RENOUNCING THE WORLD, RENOUNCING THE FAMILY

Geoff Childs

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Anthropologist Sienna Craig (2009) identifies a certain paradox in Tibetan culture. On the one hand, the birth of a child is notable for being “the gift of being reborn as a human being and the possibility for spiritual achievement this might engender.” In the Buddhist worldview, humans are the only sentient beings capable of attaining awakening. The birth of a child is therefore cause for celebration. On the other hand, births are viewed with apprehension by Tibetans because they represent “painful, embodied reminders of the Buddhist First Noble Truth, the truth of suffering.” Therein lies the paradox: Birth creates the potential for awakening but also perpetuates an unrelenting cycle of suffering (Craig 2009).

Original language	English
Title of host publication	The Buddhist World
Publisher	Taylor and Francis
Pages	453-469
Number of pages	17
ISBN (Electronic)	9781317420170
ISBN (Print)	9780415610445
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315688114-38
State	Published - Jan 1 2015

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abstract = "Anthropologist Sienna Craig (2009) identifies a certain paradox in Tibetan culture. On the one hand, the birth of a child is notable for being “the gift of being reborn as a human being and the possibility for spiritual achievement this might engender.” In the Buddhist worldview, humans are the only sentient beings capable of attaining awakening. The birth of a child is therefore cause for celebration. On the other hand, births are viewed with apprehension by Tibetans because they represent “painful, embodied reminders of the Buddhist First Noble Truth, the truth of suffering.” Therein lies the paradox: Birth creates the potential for awakening but also perpetuates an unrelenting cycle of suffering (Craig 2009).",

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RENOUNCING THE WORLD, RENOUNCING THE FAMILY

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