Difference between revisions of "The sravakas"
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| − | A [[sravaka]] (literally, a | + | A [[sravaka]] (literally, a “[[listener]]”) is someone who {{Wiki|fears}} the [[sufferings]] of [[samsara]]. Concerned chiefly with his own [[liberation]], he listens to the teachings of the [[Buddha]], realizes the [[suffering]] [[inherent]] in all [[conditioned]] [[phenomena]], and [[meditates]] upon the [[Four Noble Truths]]: [[suffering]], the [[cause of suffering]] (the [[negative emotions]]), the [[extinction]] of [[suffering]], and the [[path]] to attain this [[extinction]]. |
| − | [[ | + | [[Sravakas]] "Lit., '[[voice-hearers]]': those who follow [[Theravada]] and eventually become [[arhats]] as a result of listening to the [[buddhas]] and following their teachings" (A. Buzo and T. {{Wiki|Prince}}.) |
| − | [[ | + | See also; "[[Arhat]]." |
| − | [[ | + | [[View]]: A [[sravaka]] [[understands]] that there is no truly [[existent]] [[self]] [[inherent]] in an {{Wiki|individual}}, but maintains that other [[phenomena]] have a real basis in indivisible {{Wiki|particles}} and moments of [[consciousness]] that he holds to be truly [[existent]]. Such [[views]] define the [[Vaibhasika]] school. |
| − | [[Fruit]]: Beginning with the stage of “[[stream-enterer]],” and continuing with the stages of “[[once-returner]]” (he who will be | + | [[Meditation]]: Steeping himself in flawless [[ethics]] and lay or [[monastic]] self-discipline, the [[practitioner]] listens to the teachings, ponders their meaning, and assimilates this meaning through [[meditation]]. Applying [[antidotes]], such as considering the [[unpleasant]] aspects of [[objects]] of [[desire]], he conquers the [[negative emotions]] ([[klesas]]) and attains inner [[calm]] ([[samatha]]). Then, by cultivating [[insight]] ([[vipasyana]]) he comes to understand that an {{Wiki|individual}} possesses no truly [[existent]], {{Wiki|independent}} [[self]]. |
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| + | [[Action]]: The [[practitioner]] performs the twelve [[ascetic]] [[virtues]] and acts chiefly to achieve personal [[liberation]]. | ||
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| + | [[Fruit]]: Beginning with the stage of “[[stream-enterer]],” and continuing with the stages of “[[once-returner]]” ([[he who will be reborn only one more time]]) and of | ||
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| + | “[[non-returner]]” ([[he who will no longer be reborn]] in [[samsara]]]]), the [[practitioner]] {{Wiki|liberates}} himself and eventually becomes an [[arhat]], “[[one who has destroyed his foe]]”, the [[negative emotions]]. | ||
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[http://www.treasuryoflives.org/foundations/view/8 www.treasuryoflives.org] | [http://www.treasuryoflives.org/foundations/view/8 www.treasuryoflives.org] | ||
Revision as of 10:17, 23 March 2014
A sravaka (literally, a “listener”) is someone who fears the sufferings of samsara. Concerned chiefly with his own liberation, he listens to the teachings of the Buddha, realizes the suffering inherent in all conditioned phenomena, and meditates upon the Four Noble Truths: suffering, the cause of suffering (the negative emotions), the extinction of suffering, and the path to attain this extinction.
Sravakas "Lit., 'voice-hearers': those who follow Theravada and eventually become arhats as a result of listening to the buddhas and following their teachings" (A. Buzo and T. Prince.)
See also; "Arhat."
View: A sravaka understands that there is no truly existent self inherent in an individual, but maintains that other phenomena have a real basis in indivisible particles and moments of consciousness that he holds to be truly existent. Such views define the Vaibhasika school.
Meditation: Steeping himself in flawless ethics and lay or monastic self-discipline, the practitioner listens to the teachings, ponders their meaning, and assimilates this meaning through meditation. Applying antidotes, such as considering the unpleasant aspects of objects of desire, he conquers the negative emotions (klesas) and attains inner calm (samatha). Then, by cultivating insight (vipasyana) he comes to understand that an individual possesses no truly existent, independent self.
Action: The practitioner performs the twelve ascetic virtues and acts chiefly to achieve personal liberation.
Fruit: Beginning with the stage of “stream-enterer,” and continuing with the stages of “once-returner” (he who will be reborn only one more time) and of
“non-returner” (he who will no longer be reborn in samsara]]), the practitioner liberates himself and eventually becomes an arhat, “one who has destroyed his foe”, the negative emotions.
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