BSDA - Arhats vs Bodhisattvas

Question 1

what is a bodhisattva

Answer 1

-Enlightened beings - aim to become one and help others on the path to enlightenment
-We all have ‘Buddha nature’ within us - this ‘Buddha nature’ needs to be stimulated in order to begin the Bodhisattva path
>this awakening affects the bodhicitta
-The bodhicitta is a blend of compassion and wisdom

Question 2

4 causes awakening the bodhicitta

Answer 2

• defining quality of the bodhisattva
• -Thinking about the Buddha
  -Reflecting on the faults of material existence
  -Considering the misery and suffering of beings to arouse the compassion of Bodhisattvas
  -Reflecting on the virtue of the Tathagata or emptiness

Question 3

10 stages of becoming a bodhisattva

Answer 3

They must go through the 10 Bhumis with parallel perfection:
1)Delight and joy
2)Purity
3)Brightness
4)Inflammation
5)Land that is difficult to conquer
6)Manifest
7)Going far away
8)Immovable
9)Good intelligence
10)Clouds of Dharma

• these allow them to achieve the 6 perfections

Question 4

4 promises of a Mahayanan Bodhisattva

Answer 4

• -Beings are numberless; I vow to free them
  -Delusions are inexhaustible; I vow to end them
  -Dharma gates are boundless; I vow to enter them
  -The Awakened Way is unsurpassable; I vow to embody it

-These promises mean that if a Mahayana Buddhist reaches Nirvana they will aim to be reborn in order to help others on the path to enlightenment
-Bodhisattvas regarded as supernatural beings

Question 5

what is an arhat

Answer 5

-A perfected person, one who has gained insight into the true nature of existence and has achieved Nirvana
- the Arhat, having freed himself from the bonds of desire, will not be reborn

Question 6

4 stages of becoming an arhat in T buddhism

Answer 6

-In Theravada tradition - state of Arhat is proper goal of Buddhism. There are 4 stages:
- stream - enterer: overcoming false beliefs and doubts regarding the Buddha
- once - returner: reborn once in realm
- Non - returner: after death will be reborn in higher heaven
- Arhat: only whilst nun or monk

Question 7

differences between arhat and bodhisattvas

Answer 7

• The path is a solitary one, fate of Theravada monk is down to individual effort
• an Arhat achieves Nirvana during life. Its temporary stopping of all conditioned states
• this state excludes Dukkha and supersedes mind and body. It’s seen as emptiness and indescribable
  -The actions don’t have Karmic results
  -Mahayana criticism - Bodhisattva is higher goal of perfection
• Arhat’s Nirvana is a very pure ethical and moral conduct in all one says, does physically and one’s profession

Question 8

is the path of an arhat selfish?

Answer 8

YES
- nirvana with remainder
- independent goal
- T nirvana is nirvana for yourself –> ‘buddha has given us the map to nirvana, we must get there ourselves’ Cush

NO
- to become an arhat you need to practice generosity and virtues
- promoting love on path even if arhats do not return