So what's the goal of a Buddhist anyways?

Knowing the 4 Noble Truths, the Eight Fold path and the refuge of the 3 Jewels is all fine and dandy, but why be  a Buddhist in the first place?  The ultimate goal of a Buddhist, is to reach true actualization.  To destroy the shroud of ignorance from your mind and see the universe for what it really is.  This ultimate truth is known as Nirvana.

Now Nirvana isn't an easy thing to define, in fact its literally impossible to describe with words, because language requires a matter of definition, and Nirvana is exactly the opposite of a definition.  Nirvana is void of definition or substance.  It is nothing and everything at the same time.  The best way to describe Nirvana is a happiness without definition or conditions.  It is to see the universe as it really is, which is formless and without the preconceptions of our mind.

With this in mind, Buddha often explained that the universe is vast and mostly unknown, even to him.  However, all the knowledge of the universe is irrelevant when the only goal you have is to eliminate suffering.  Buddha once explained,


"Whether the world is finite or infinite, limited or unlimited, the problem of your liberation remains the same." Another time he said, "Suppose a man is struck by a poisoned arrow and the doctor wishes to take out the arrow immediately. Suppose the man does not want the arrow removed until he knows who shot it, his age, his parents, and why he shot it. What would happen? If he were to wait until all these questions have been answered, the man might die first." Life is so short. It must not be spent in endless metaphysical speculation that does not bring us any closer to the truth."


One of the first truths you realize, is that life goes on, regardless of your perception of birth and death.  You have countless lifetimes to get this right, but it's important that you make an effort to better yourself each time, so that one day countless lifetimes down the road, you can achieve your enlightenment.  Though I would be willing to bet, Buddha would tell you that what takes lifetimes of personal reflection to find out, that it doesn't lifetimes to learn.

In the end, personal goals or not, you quickly learn that living the Eight Fold path has its own rewards beyond your eventual transcendence of your ignorance.  Karma often pays itself out in your own lifetime, if you are open to new experiences and ideals.  I myself am still fairly new to all of these teachings and ideals, but I know them to be true because I know they are something I've somehow already known all my life.  To finish this thought, I quote one of my favorite authors, Frank Herbert.

"All men must see that the teaching of religion by rules and rote is largely a hoax. The proper teaching is recognized with ease. You can know it without fail because it awakens within you that sensation which tells you this is something you've always known."