Buddhism: The Goals

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Buddhism The Goals

• Mahayana

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Mahayana Buddhism

• Can be found in
• Tibet.
• China.
• Taiwan.
• Japan.
• Korea.
• Mongolia.

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Bodhisattvas

• Boh dee sat - va
• Bodhisattva means enlightenment being
  someone who wished to become enlightened
• Bodhisattvas act out of great compassion
• In order to become fully enlightened, they put
  other beings first and delay their own
  enlightenment to help others become enlightened
• By doing this they gain great kamma, and realise
  the buddha-nature inside themselves and all
  other beings, and so actually become enlightened
  quicker. (Actually, they have been enlightened
  all along!)

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• Bodhisattvas were originally seen as people who
  became enlightened and acted out of great wisdom
• However, unlike the earthly / human ideal (role
  model) of the Arahat in Theravada Buddhism, the
  Bodhisattva has become a more supernatural figure
• There are a few key bodhisattvas that can be
  found all-throughout different Mahayana and
  Vajrayana schools
• These bodhisattva-figures are often seen as
  embodiments of the Buddha

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Bodhisattva Example Avalokitesvara

• Avalokitesvara (ava-lock-e-tesh-vara) is the
  Bodhisattva of compassion
• Also known in Tibetan Buddhism as Chenresig (the
  Dalai Lama is seen to be an incarnation of
  Chenresig), and in female from, Tara
• Bodhisattvas are a source of inspiration and
  guidance
• They play an important role in worship and
  meditation (for example, worshipping or
  meditating upon the image of Avalokitesvara helps
  Buddhists become more compassionate)

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Implications for Lay People

• Lay (ordinary) people in Mahayana Buddhism are
  faced with a less pessimistic situation than
  those in Theravada
• Although it is true that Mahayana monks have more
  chance of becoming enlightened, lay people have
  bodhisattvas to call upon for help and
  inspiration
• Aiming to become a bodhisattva should also help
  lay Buddhists be more compassionate (an important
  value in Buddhism) and thus gain more positive
  kamma and a better rebirth
• Although Mahayana lay people also aim for a
  better rebirth, Nibbana does not seem such a
  distant and unattainable goal.
• They are not alone as they have help along the
  way it is a more motivational viewpoint.

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• Buddhism eventually divided into two main
  branches following disagreements over what the
  Buddha actually taught.
• Therevada The Way of the Elders (Hinayana)
• Mahayana The Greater Vehicle

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Mahayana

• Goal to become Bodhisattva
• Teachings have a mythological rather than
  historical connection to the Buddha.
• Emphasis on compassion.
• More emphasis on anatta.
• Lay people have help from the Bodhisattvas

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Bodhisattva Vow

• However innumerable sentient beings are, I vow to
  save them.
• However inexhaustible the defilements are, I vow
  to extinguish them.
• However immeasurable the dharmas are, I vow to
  master them.
• However incomparable enlightenment is, I vow to
  attain it.

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Bodhisattva

• If a Bodhisattva has any notion of a being, a
  person, or a self, he could not be called a
  Bohdisattva. Diamond Sutra 3
• This is no longer choosing to give but a giving
  beyond choice.
• Dali Lama incarnation of Chenresig (Tara in male
  form)

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Lotus Sutra

• I use different means to raise each according to
  his own character. Such is the might of my
  knowledge.
• The Buddha only appears to enter nibbana, but
  actually continues his bodhisattva career
  endlessly for the salvation of all beings