Bodhisattva Ideal
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 5:35 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattv ... ttva_ideal
"1. king-like bodhisattva - one who aspires to become buddha as soon as possible and then help sentient beings in full fledge;
2. boatman-like bodhisattva - one who aspires to achieve buddhahood along with other sentient beings and
3. shepherd-like bodhisattva - one who aspires to delay buddhahood until all other sentient beings achieve buddhahood. Bodhisattvas like Avalokiteśvara and Śāntideva are believed to fall in this category.
The Nyingma school, however, holds that the lowest level is the way of the king, who primarily seeks his own benefit but who recognizes that his benefit depends crucially on that of his kingdom and his subjects. The middle level is the path of the boatman, who ferries his passengers across the river and simultaneously, of course, ferries himself as well. The highest level is that of the shepherd, who makes sure that all his sheep arrive safely ahead of him and places their welfare above his own."
My questions are:
What is more beneficial to sentient beings, being a Buddha or Bodhisattva?
Does one only become a Bodhisattva to enhance motivation/commitment to become a Buddha?
Can someone help me compare the pros and cons of being a Buddha and Bodhisattva?
/Dylan
"1. king-like bodhisattva - one who aspires to become buddha as soon as possible and then help sentient beings in full fledge;
2. boatman-like bodhisattva - one who aspires to achieve buddhahood along with other sentient beings and
3. shepherd-like bodhisattva - one who aspires to delay buddhahood until all other sentient beings achieve buddhahood. Bodhisattvas like Avalokiteśvara and Śāntideva are believed to fall in this category.
The Nyingma school, however, holds that the lowest level is the way of the king, who primarily seeks his own benefit but who recognizes that his benefit depends crucially on that of his kingdom and his subjects. The middle level is the path of the boatman, who ferries his passengers across the river and simultaneously, of course, ferries himself as well. The highest level is that of the shepherd, who makes sure that all his sheep arrive safely ahead of him and places their welfare above his own."
My questions are:
What is more beneficial to sentient beings, being a Buddha or Bodhisattva?
Does one only become a Bodhisattva to enhance motivation/commitment to become a Buddha?
Can someone help me compare the pros and cons of being a Buddha and Bodhisattva?
/Dylan