Arhat And Bodisattvas Flashcards
For Mahayana Buddhists there are three different understandings of the term Buddha, called the three _____?
The three body doctrine
What are the three body doctrines?
- nirmanakaya — this is the physical person who becomes enlightened
- sambhogakaya — refers to bodhisattvas who have transcended to celestial realms and represent archetypes such as compassion or wisdom
- dharmakaya — this is the body of truth. The ultimate truth which is known to the enlightened mind and which transcends space and time
What is a bodhisattva to Mahayana Buddhists?
1) motivated by selfless compassion for all living beings and has committed to achieving Buddhahood
2) has taken the bodhisattva vow
3) has achieved bodhichitta which is selflessness so they no longer see themselves are separate from the rest of the universe
4) is following the bodhisattva path which is following the stages (Bhumis) and reaching the perfections (paramitas )
Mahayana Buddhists believe that on the path to Buddhahood, a Buddhist will go through how many stages?
10
What does Bodhichitta mean?
Selflessness. It involves abandoning one’s sense of self and ego, and realising that you are connected to everything in the universe. This links to Thich nhat Hanhs “seeing the universe in a piece of paper”
Who might the children trapped in a burning house represent in the lotus sutra?
Our ego and life
The children don’t listen to the warning in the lotus sutra because they are absorbed in their games. What might this represent?
We are so absorbed in our own lives which distracts us from things like death
What does Upaya mean?
Skilful means
The concept of bodhisattva could be seen as essential to Buddhism because….
1) the idea of selflessness - Anatta - 3 lakshanas
2) to reach nirvana
The concept of bodhisattva could be seen as NOT essential to Buddhism because….
1) buddhism is not about being true, it is about working hard to get out of Samsara
2) Enlightenment. You don’t need bodisattvas to get you to reaching enlightenment
The concept of Arhat Could be seen as essential to Buddhism because…
1) Nirvana – goal is enlightenment and escaping Samsara
How to Mahayana Buddhists define Arhat?
Someone who has reached enlightenment but not yet taken the bodhisattva vow
How to Theravada Buddhists define Arhat?
And enlightened person who has reached Nirvana and escaped rebirth. The ultimate goal
How to Mahayana Buddhists define bodhisattva ?
Someone who is taking the vow to achieve full of Buddhahood for the benefit of all beings
How to Theravada Buddhists define bodhisattva ?
The Buddha in one of his previous lives, as told in the Jataka Tales in the Sutta Pitaka - on the way to enlightenment
