Bodhisattva Ideal

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Motova
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Bodhisattva Ideal

Post 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
Last edited by Grigoris on Sat Apr 06, 2013 6:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Removed portion of wikipedia quote containing reference to teacher from controversial tradition.
To become a rain man one must master the ten virtues and sciences.
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Ayu
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Re: Bodhisattva Ideal

Post 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
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PadmaVonSamba
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Re: Bodhisattva Ideal

Post 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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EMPTIFUL.
An inward outlook produces outward insight.
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Konchog1
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Re: Bodhisattva Ideal

Post 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
Equanimity is the ground. Love is the moisture. Compassion is the seed. Bodhicitta is the result.

-Paraphrase of Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel citing the Guhyasamaja Tantra

"All memories and thoughts are the union of emptiness and knowing, the Mind.
Without attachment, self-liberating, like a snake in a knot.
Through the qualities of meditating in that way,
Mental obscurations are purified and the dharmakaya is attained."

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Motova
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Re: Bodhisattva Ideal

Post by Motova »

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

:namaste:

/Dylan
To become a rain man one must master the ten virtues and sciences.
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