4
votes
Forgoing Enlightenment
It's a dangerous question, because it invites potential arguments between supporters of particular sects, but I will try to answer in good faith anyway.
The goal of Buddhism is attainment of Nirvana. ...
- 58.3k
3
votes
Why does/would a "Bodhisattva" burdens himself and instigate others as well?
Why does/would a "Bodhisattva" burdens himself with the choice of becoming a Buddha (avoiding extinguishing dukkha) and instigate others as well to do so?
Many people misunderstand Nirvana as ...
- 58.3k
3
votes
Why does/would a "Bodhisattva" burdens himself and instigate others as well?
A Bodhisattva 'instigates' others because he wants what is best for others (full enlightenment together with its causes). From this viewpoint, 'abiding nirvana' is thus not what is best for others, ...
- 5,206
2
votes
Accepted
How do Bodhisattva vow takers avoid stream entry?
I think that Mahayana literature teaches that becoming an Arhat is a temporary rest, for example:
Mahayanins are urged to instead take up the path of the bodhisattva and to not fall back to the ...
- 46.3k
2
votes
Seongcheol's parinirvana gatha
My understanding of this is as follows;
Illusion is impure, but a water wave is beyond purity and impurity;
May I be reborn in a hell to purify it and save the living beings there.
- 233
2
votes
The paradox of the Bodhisattva Path (Bodhisattvayāna)
There is no paradox. Rather, it seems there may be some mistaken assumptions behind your question.
First, if someone is enlightened that does not mean that they will enlighten all people. For example,...
- 2,229
2
votes
The paradox of the Bodhisattva Path (Bodhisattvayāna)
Questions from the OP:
"How can Bodhisattvas enlighten others if they themselves are not fully enlightened?"
"If they are enlightened, then they would not have been reborn in the first ...
- 1,140
2
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In what ways have Buddhists responded to the apparent impossibility of saving all sentient beings?
From the Mahayana viewpoint, the mind of enlightenment is the wish to achieve buddhahood in order to benefit all sentient beings. It is true we also often say "to set them in enlightenment" as well.
...
- 5,206
1
vote
How should a bodhisattva respond to evil?
I think you are under a misapprehension about bodhicitta, as something you can either have or not have. It wells up in all beings, because it is a deep part of the nature of minds to recognise other ...
- 380
1
vote
Vajrasatva Practice as training in ultimate Bodhicitta?
When you say "Vajrasatva purification practice" do you mean an appropriate visualization plus the hundred-syllable mantra followed by a dissolution?
If so then the answer is: no, this is not ...
- 58.3k
1
vote
The paradox of the Bodhisattva Path (Bodhisattvayāna)
Agreed with Barzeli's answer.
Bodhisattva chosen to be reborn.
"Until the hells are empty (of suffering beings), I will not become a Buddha."
(「地獄不空，誓不成佛。」)
"Once all sentient beings ...
- 81
1
vote
The paradox of the Bodhisattva Path (Bodhisattvayāna)
I would like to answer the question that @Doubtful Monk asked, rather than the Update added to it.
He asked: “If Sunyata is the ultimate reality, why hasn’t anyone achieved the ability to save others ...
- 2,451
1
vote
Joining and then leaving the monastic order?
I do not recall any suttas that refer to a bad outcome due to disrobing. This said, I do not recall any suttas about a monk returning to lay life given the Buddha generally intervened and prevented ...
- 40.5k
1
vote
Forgoing Enlightenment
My question involves someone also resolving on something other than complete destruction of the taints: continued efforts to help others and improve the world. Does such a choice fall under Wrong ...
- 46.3k
1
vote
Forgoing Enlightenment
In Theravada, stream-enterers, once-returners & non-returners have eradicated the view the five aggregates are a real self. However, they may have the ridiculous impossible aspiration to save ...
- 40.5k
1
vote
In what ways have Buddhists responded to the apparent impossibility of saving all sentient beings?
The short answer?
You actually save all the beings in your heart. The hell within. Your demons within of anger, craving, delusion. When they are saved you are left with enlightenment.
- 1,705
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