5
votes
Accepted
Are there Bodhisatta practices within Theravada?
Bodhisatta practices in Theravada are mentioned in Buddhavamsa, Jataka and Apadana atthakatha, especially in Visuddhajanavilāsiniyā, Apadana Atthakatha, the commentary of Apadana, which is believed to ...
- 4,233
5
votes
Accepted
Difference between abiding nirvana and non-abiding nirvana?
Non-abiding Nirvana is a standard Mahayana doctrine, described as non-abiding in contrast with (Hinayana's) Nirvana which is considered abiding.
(As always, I have to remind everyone that Theravada is ...
- 58.3k
5
votes
Buddhas (and Bodhisattva) are real individuals or manifestations?
I believe that the concepts of Dharmakaya (eternal truth form) and Nirmanakaya (physical form) originated from the following sutta quote.
The Buddha downplayed the importance of his physical form and ...
- 37.4k
4
votes
Accepted
Betraying People
Your observations are quite correct in a capitalist mould. Survival of the fittest and stepping on your neighbor due to ambition or desire to achieve something is quite common.
We cannot, quite ...
- 2,234
4
votes
Accepted
Are Bodhisattvas real human beings we can encounter?
From (Chinese) Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra:
“Subhūti, this is like the body of a person that is tall and great.”
Subhūti said, “Bhagavān, the body of a person that the Tathāgata ...
- 58.3k
3
votes
Accepted
Beliefs about the 14th Dalai Lama
The institution of the Dalai Lama, as an emanation of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, is officially recognized only by Tibetan Buddhism.
The concept of tulku where teachers like the Dalai Lama, ...
- 37.4k
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
3
votes
Betraying People
Then why does these humans do this inappropriate acts without giving any values to relationships, bonds ?
This is the nature of Samsara. People do this. Since things like this happen it is one ...
3
votes
Buddhas vs bodhisattvas vs arhats vs devas vs brahmas
Actually Paceccabuddhas do teach but in brief and in general terms like from one Theravada example after 4 Paccekabuddas received meals for 4 days from a King at his palace when the King asked them ...
3
votes
What does celestial mean in 'celestial bodhisattva'
In Tibetan Buddhism they recognize a class of beings that we can call "latent informational energy entities". In modern language they can be explained as long-term memes or archetypes inhabiting the ...
- 58.3k
3
votes
Are there Theravada practitioners that aspire to be Buddhas?
There are many who aspire to be Buddhas even in the Theravada community. But it is not something that is usually encouraged. It is left up to the individual choice.
Those who make such aspirations ...
- 25.7k
3
votes
Accepted
Bodhisattva Śvetaketu and Gautama
Śvetaketu and Bodhisattva in Sanskrit are Setaketu and Bodhisatta in Pali.
There was one person called Setaketu in the Setaketu Jataka, but this is the story of a human on Earth, but I'm not sure if ...
- 37.4k
3
votes
Is optimism and positive attitude counterproductive?
Good householder, optimism and positive attitude is counterproductive (in regard of long lasting happiness) if the objects are in the world, object of sense. Joy, optimism, positive attitude toward ...
2
votes
Are there Bodhisatta practices within Theravada?
Every reference that is ever made to a “Bodhisatta” in the Theravada Suttas is in relation to the Present Supreme Buddha, or the six other Buddhas that appeared in the last 91 aeons. Thus the ...
- 9,695
2
votes
Why would a non-dualist mind choose the Bodhisattva path once it has stopped differentiating between suffering and non-suffering?
Quoted below is from Bodhicaryāvatāra, as it read, I think, the answer to your quotation is that the purpose is to tranquilize sorrow, although in the ultimate reality its effect is illusionary it not ...
- 21
2
votes
Why would a non-dualist mind choose the Bodhisattva path once it has stopped differentiating between suffering and non-suffering?
What motivation, then, to follow the Bodhisattva path of helping all beings escape "suffering", if "suffering" is no longer distinguished?
The motivation is that, although Bodhisattva no longer ...
- 58.3k
2
votes
How do Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhists make sense of Maitreya's prophecy?
I think your question embedded two questions and should be dealt separately to give clear answer: a) How do Mahayana Buddhists make sense of prophecy of Maitreya? b) How do Vajrayana Buddhists make ...
- 2,291
2
votes
Assuming empathy is a worldly thing (which i believe it is), why does/would a buddha try to help others find the way?
Enlightened beings help others due to compassion. Compassion(Karuna) is a virtuous mind state. When someone becomes enlightened, he only cuts off unwholesome mind states. Virtuous mind states continue ...
- 25.7k
2
votes
Bodhicitta and the path of knives?
The aim should not to be to avoid reincarnation in 'lower' realms, but to alleviate suffering for all sentient beings. Please do keep that in mind. Focusing on reincarnation encourages selfish ...
- 121
2
votes
What is the Pure Land?
There are so many confusion regarding Pure Land Buddhism that I feel I must chip in. Many people even see it as non Buddhist because it seems to be about the Amitabha Buddha saving humans through the ...
- 1,705
2
votes
Do some, all, or no Mahayanists claim that we are all "bodhisattvas"?
According to my knowledge, to become a bodhisattvas, the person should obtain due certainty of being a bodhisattvas from a Buddha with the effect of Karma. We could identify this fact by considering ...
- 121
2
votes
Is Enlightenment a momentum with a continuum or can have regressions?
Do you see an old woman or a young one? Or can you see both?
Once you've seen, can you forget how to see it?
Until we see the world as it is we don't see it, but once we've seen it we cannot 'unsee'. ...
- 5,015
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
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