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Buddha-nature and Bodhisattva Path in Mahayana
Invincible_summer
Heavy Metal DhammaWe(s)t coast, Canada Veteran
So as I understand it, Mahayana Buddhism posits that we are all already Enlightened as we all have Buddha-nature. The problem is bringing that out from under our delusions.
But if another key aspect of Mahayana is to postpone Buddhahood and take the Bodhisattva path, then are we supposed to never fully bring out our inner Buddha-nature?
I thought I sort of grasped these concepts before, but now I feel confused
But if another key aspect of Mahayana is to postpone Buddhahood and take the Bodhisattva path, then are we supposed to never fully bring out our inner Buddha-nature?
I thought I sort of grasped these concepts before, but now I feel confused
0
Comments
We are not buried Enlightened Beings, the potentail to become Enlightened is what has been buried.
The Vow is a specific affermation to remain of service to all Beings and to continue to return to this world, this realm, for as long as it takes to free all Beings from suffering.
Those that take the Vow can accumulate great merit due to the intention to remain of service and never to give up on any being no matter what that being may have done. There are 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva that one can use to gain merit and to be of maximim service.
I was given the Vow a few months ago by the Abbot of my Monestary and have found that it has much inproved my focus and abilty to be of service and to gain some insight both to myself and to the suffering of others.
There is a very good explaination of this in the "Jewel Orniment of Liberation" by Gampopa.
The goal is not to give up our intention to become Enlightened but to ensure that every Being will make that same jouney. Those that take the Vow and live by it as best that they can make a choice to continue to return to a place of pain and suffering for as long as it takes for all to be free.
I think, but am not quite sure how this works that some fully enlightened Beings do return as a way to guide others. This is a sacrifice that they make out of compassion.
I know I rambled a bit here, I hope it makes a bit of sense.
I also understand this as partly metaphorical, such that a person is encouraged to engage in the Bodhisattva practice in order to work on practicing compassion.
That was a very good way of putting it, and a deep bow to you, for accepting the vows.
Buddha-nature isn't really a big thing, just a way of pointing out that everyone has the potential to be a Buddha. No matter how miserable, cruel, or selfish someone is, there is always the seed of Buddhahood that can blossom if that person puts the necessary effort into cultivating a clear mind.
And, the Bodhisattva Vow can be summed up as "May I attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all beings!" We don't stop our personal effort, we just realize that we're all in this together. Or, in Western terms, I vow that nobody gets left behind. I don't vow to save all beings today, or even in this lifetime, and I certainly didn't vow to do it alone. I can use all the help I can get.
"The vow of the Bodhisattva is that she will not go into Nirvana until every single suffering being has entered Nirvana. One has to understand what this means. Our awakening is not a personal triumph. We do not have to win a spiritual sprint. We are one mind. Awakening is to penetrate more and more deeply into this truth. The world is alive. And as long as there is suffering then this living whole is shattered. Whether it is my suffering or the suffering of another, when seen from the perspective of the Bodhisattva makes no difference, because, seen from this perspective there is no ‘me’ or ‘another.’ In the Diamond Sutra, “Although the Bodhisattva saves all sentient beings, there are no sentient beings to save.”
Albert Low
For example, here is one version of Bodhidharma's encounter with the Emperor Wu:
"Nothing holy" sounds to me like a pretty good recipe for an honest bodhisattva.
This was excellent! Thank you
Just focus on meditation and try to be mindful in your daily life.
To walk the path without cultivating compassion would only be a hindrance, a barrier, to awakening. This means that not only do we help others, but we also cultivate wholesome states that quicken the enlightenment process. It's all good.
Focusing entirely on the cultivation of wisdom may lead to enlightenment. Focusing entirely on the cultivation of compassion may lead to enlightenment. IMHO a balance of these is the fastest track, for the enlightened mind is one of perfect wisdom and perfect compassion. This is how we should align our own minds, in accord with the Noble Eightfold Path and with Right Effort mindfully applied.
The specific vow itself, and the thought of "Bodhisattva", is not the important part. That's both personal and traditional. The importance is in our intention to awaken and to alleviate the suffering of others. It doesn't matter what tradition you follow or what you call yourself.
I use the Vow in the same way that I use the other tools / practices that I have learned. It is a reminder that there is a more effective, more compassionate way to deal with the world in moments when I might be tempted to give into anger or do something to harm, rather than hurt.
It is a way to remain mindful and serve others, If I work on that each day, Nirvana will take care of itself.