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Bodhisattva Ideal

Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 5:35 pm
by Motova
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?

:namaste:

/Dylan

Re: Bodhisattva Ideal

Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 6:33 pm
by Ayu
A Buddha is fully developed. A Buddha is able to realise emptyness all the time. So he is able to realise everything all the time.

A Bodhisattva can be a high or a low one. There are ten levels (bhumis) for Bodhisattvas.
Only on level 8-10 they are free to choose their next incarnation conciously. On the lower levels (i forgot which) it is possible to "fall back" into incarnations like animal or preta (hungry ghost). Depends on the individual Karma.
So a Bodhisattva should not stop to practice his training (6 Paramitas: Giving, ethics, patience, vigor, concentration and wisdom).
From outside you can not judge, who is a bodhisattva... The next dog on the street COULD be one...
As soon as the natural Bodhicitta for all the beings arouse, this person is established on the first bhumi.

Maybe you should browse through http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/index.html

Re: Bodhisattva Ideal

Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 6:43 pm
by PadmaVonSamba
While it is better in terms of being able to benefit beings to be a buddha, the distinctions you refer to arise really only from our side. The Bodhisattva is a manifestation of enlightened activity regardless of whether it is a 'celestial bodhisattva' such as Avalokitesvara, or the aspiration a lay person makes every day as part of one's practice.

It is similar to a huge, clear from which one scoops up a cup of water.
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Re: Bodhisattva Ideal

Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 7:13 pm
by Konchog1
Motova wrote: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?
Buddhas are trees, Bodhisattvas are seeds. Buddhas are adults, Bodhisattvas are children.
“Lord of Secrets, the sublime wisdom of omniscience comes from compassion as its root. It comes from Bodhicitta as its cause. It is brought to completion by method [the Six Paramita].”

-Vairocana’s Great Enlightenment Discourse as quoted in the Lam Rim Chen Mo eng v02 pg. 87 tib pg. 341

Re: Bodhisattva Ideal

Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 7:15 pm
by Motova
Ayu wrote: Maybe you should browse through http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/index.html
Thankies.

:namaste:

/Dylan