On the Interpretations of the Body Both the Buddhist nuns and St. Augustine agree that the body affects how the soul attains enlightenment, but they disagree on the role that the body plays in this process. The Buddhist nuns contend that humans must reject the body in order to achieve enlightenment because the body is a hindrance to the soul, while St. Augustine emphasizes that the body is an instrument that humans must utilize to refine their souls as a means to achieve enlightenment. Thus, both St. Augustine and the Buddhist nuns disagree in their interpretations of the fundamental purpose of the body, specifically in how the body affects the soul and whether the relationship between the body and soul is symbiotic, where both coexist to
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Augustine and the Buddhist nuns also have different views on how bodily suffering influences the human path to enlightenment. St. Augustine argues that bodily suffering is a helpful vessel that enables humans to be closer to the soul, and thus, propels humans further on the path to enlightenment. He says, “If it were not for the suffering of beasts, we would not see how great is the desire for unity in the lower animals, and so we would be less mindful than we ought to be that all things were created by the supreme, sublime, and ineffable unity of the Creator” (St. Augustine, 118). St. Augustine contends that viewing suffering of others enables humans to see the “desire for unity” that all beings face because of their creation. By understanding suffering, humans can be more mindful of God’s influence over the mind and being more mindful enables humans to be closer to their soul. St. Augustine contends that wrongful bodily actions and decisions result in suffering and thus, humans must learn from their suffering to attain an enlightened mind. The Buddhist nuns argue, however, that humans must abandon bodily suffering in order to achieve enlightenment. For example, Khema proclaims that she “honor[s] the Enlightened One the best of all and, practicing his teaching, [she is] freed from suffering” (Therigatha, 23). Khema’s devotion to Buddha and her religious practice enables her to be free. By rejecting suffering, Khema is able to pursue the path to enlightenment. This contrasts with St. Augustine’s view that understanding suffering enables humans to attain an enlightened
Augustine and the Buddhist nuns also have different views on how bodily suffering influences the human path to enlightenment. St. Augustine argues that bodily suffering is a helpful vessel that enables humans to be closer to the soul, and thus, propels humans further on the path to enlightenment. He says, “If it were not for the suffering of beasts, we would not see how great is the desire for unity in the lower animals, and so we would be less mindful than we ought to be that all things were created by the supreme, sublime, and ineffable unity of the Creator” (St. Augustine, 118). St. Augustine contends that viewing suffering of others enables humans to see the “desire for unity” that all beings face because of their creation. By understanding suffering, humans can be more mindful of God’s influence over the mind and being more mindful enables humans to be closer to their soul. St. Augustine contends that wrongful bodily actions and decisions result in suffering and thus, humans must learn from their suffering to attain an enlightened mind. The Buddhist nuns argue, however, that humans must abandon bodily suffering in order to achieve enlightenment. For example, Khema proclaims that she “honor[s] the Enlightened One the best of all and, practicing his teaching, [she is] freed from suffering” (Therigatha, 23). Khema’s devotion to Buddha and her religious practice enables her to be free. By rejecting suffering, Khema is able to pursue the path to enlightenment. This contrasts with St. Augustine’s view that understanding suffering enables humans to attain an enlightened