Difference between revisions of "The Bodhisattva Path"
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| − | The Buddha spoke of five vehicles, or paths, whereby sentient beings may practice Dharma in accordance with their karma and capacities. The five vehicles are that of human beings, devas, shravakas, the pratyekabuddhas, and bodhisattvas. Of these five, the shravaka vehicle is associated with the path of personal liberation (in nirvana), and the bodhisattva vehicle is associated with the Mahayana path. | + | The [[Buddha]] spoke of [[five vehicles]], or [[paths]], whereby [[sentient beings]] may practice [[Dharma]] in accordance with their [[karma]] and capacities. The [[five vehicles]] are that of [[human beings]], [[devas]], [[shravakas]], the [[pratyekabuddhas]], and [[bodhisattvas]]. Of these five, the [[shravaka vehicle]] is associated with the [[path]] of [[personal liberation]] (in [[nirvana]]), and the [[bodhisattva vehicle]] is associated with the [[Mahayana path]]. |
| − | The shravaka seeks personal liberation as an arhat and aspires to attain the bliss of nirvana. Bodhisattvas, on the other hand, vow to liberate all sentient beings before attaining their own liberation. In practicing the bodhisattva path, one does not renounce the shravaka path. In fact, the aspiration to self-enlightenment (bodhicitta) is one of the necessary elements of the bodhisattva path. The Mahayana path does not renounce the self-liberation of the shravaka. For a bodhisattva to renounce the shravaka path would be contradictory; the fourth vow of the bodhisattva is, in fact, "I vow to attain supreme buddhahood." | + | The [[shravaka]] seeks [[personal liberation]] as an [[arhat]] and aspires to attain the [[bliss]] of [[nirvana]]. [[Bodhisattvas]], on the other hand, [[vow]] to {{Wiki|liberate}} all [[sentient beings]] before [[attaining]] their own [[liberation]]. In practicing the [[bodhisattva path]], one does not {{Wiki|renounce}} the [[shravaka path]]. In fact, the [[aspiration]] to [[self-enlightenment]] ([[bodhicitta]]) is one of the necessary [[elements]] of the [[bodhisattva path]]. The [[Mahayana path]] does not {{Wiki|renounce}} the [[self-liberation]] of the [[shravaka]]. For a [[bodhisattva]] to {{Wiki|renounce}} the [[shravaka path]] would be contradictory; the fourth [[vow]] of the [[bodhisattva]] is, in fact, "I [[vow]] to attain supreme [[buddhahood]]." |
| − | Buddhadharma is not only the taste of liberation. It is also the way of the bodhisattva. Moreover, buddhadharma has various levels and types of teachings to respond to the various dispositions of sentient beings. Sometimes this includes a graded path of Buddhism, but all of the gradations, systems and different ways to organize the Buddhist teachings point to liberation. | + | [[Buddhadharma]] is not only the {{Wiki|taste}} of [[liberation]]. It is also [[the way of the bodhisattva]]. Moreover, [[buddhadharma]] has various levels and types of teachings to respond to the various dispositions of [[sentient beings]]. Sometimes this includes a graded [[path]] of [[Buddhism]], but all of the gradations, systems and different ways to organize the [[Buddhist teachings]] point to [[liberation]]. |
| − | Master Sheng Yen interview | + | [[Master Sheng Yen]] interview |
| − | Of paths by which sentient beings may practice Dharma, two bring liberation: | + | Of [[paths]] by which [[sentient beings]] may practice [[Dharma]], two bring [[liberation]]: |
| − | The shravaka vehicle, associated with Theravadan Buddhism, is the path of personal liberation; the shravaka seeks personal liberation as an arhat and aspires to attain the bliss of nirvana. | + | The [[shravaka vehicle]], associated with [[Theravadan]] [[Buddhism]], is the [[path]] of [[personal liberation]]; the [[shravaka]] seeks [[personal liberation]] as an [[arhat]] and aspires to attain the [[bliss]] of [[nirvana]]. |
| − | On the bodhisattva path of Mahayana Buddhism (including Chan) one vows to liberate all sentient beings before attaining one's own liberation. | + | On the [[bodhisattva path]] of [[Mahayana Buddhism]] (including [[Chan]]) one [[vows]] to {{Wiki|liberate}} all [[sentient beings]] before [[attaining]] one's own [[liberation]]. |
| − | We must then bring ourselves to maturity, transcend ourselves and transform ourselves from ordinary sentient beings to Bodhisattvas. | + | We must then bring ourselves to maturity, transcend ourselves and [[transform]] ourselves from ordinary [[sentient beings]] to [[Bodhisattvas]]. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.dharmanet.org/coursesM/26/chan6.htm www.dharmanet.org] | [http://www.dharmanet.org/coursesM/26/chan6.htm www.dharmanet.org] | ||
[[Category:Bodhisattva Path]] | [[Category:Bodhisattva Path]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:03, 24 March 2014
The Buddha spoke of five vehicles, or paths, whereby sentient beings may practice Dharma in accordance with their karma and capacities. The five vehicles are that of human beings, devas, shravakas, the pratyekabuddhas, and bodhisattvas. Of these five, the shravaka vehicle is associated with the path of personal liberation (in nirvana), and the bodhisattva vehicle is associated with the Mahayana path.
The shravaka seeks personal liberation as an arhat and aspires to attain the bliss of nirvana. Bodhisattvas, on the other hand, vow to liberate all sentient beings before attaining their own liberation. In practicing the bodhisattva path, one does not renounce the shravaka path. In fact, the aspiration to self-enlightenment (bodhicitta) is one of the necessary elements of the bodhisattva path. The Mahayana path does not renounce the self-liberation of the shravaka. For a bodhisattva to renounce the shravaka path would be contradictory; the fourth vow of the bodhisattva is, in fact, "I vow to attain supreme buddhahood."
Buddhadharma is not only the taste of liberation. It is also the way of the bodhisattva. Moreover, buddhadharma has various levels and types of teachings to respond to the various dispositions of sentient beings. Sometimes this includes a graded path of Buddhism, but all of the gradations, systems and different ways to organize the Buddhist teachings point to liberation.
Master Sheng Yen interview
Of paths by which sentient beings may practice Dharma, two bring liberation:
The shravaka vehicle, associated with Theravadan Buddhism, is the path of personal liberation; the shravaka seeks personal liberation as an arhat and aspires to attain the bliss of nirvana.
On the bodhisattva path of Mahayana Buddhism (including Chan) one vows to liberate all sentient beings before attaining one's own liberation.
We must then bring ourselves to maturity, transcend ourselves and transform ourselves from ordinary sentient beings to Bodhisattvas.
