Path to Buddhahood

Exploring Theravāda's connections to other paths - what can we learn from other traditions, religions and philosophies?
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Tom
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Path to Buddhahood

Post by Tom »

Is there a path to Buddhahood, rather than Arhatship outlined in Theravada?
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Hanzze
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Re: Path to Buddhahood

Post by Hanzze »

What would be the different form your view and why would one choose Buddhahood rather than Arahantship? Maybe the answers answer the question.
Just that! *smile*
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
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Alex123
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Re: Path to Buddhahood

Post by Alex123 »

ccharles wrote:Is there a path to Buddhahood, rather than Arhatship outlined in Theravada?

In orthodox Theravada, yes.
Tom
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Re: Path to Buddhahood

Post by Tom »

Well I'm not too grounded on the differences honestly, however I've read that "Buddhahood" is supposedly the highest form of enlightenment (whether or not this is true, I don't know) , and I'm interested in learning more about that path. If you can share your knowledge on the differences as well I would greatly appreciate it.
Last edited by Tom on Wed Dec 19, 2012 7:40 am, edited 2 times in total.
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tiltbillings
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Re: Path to Buddhahood

Post by tiltbillings »

ccharles wrote:Well I'm not to grounded on the differences honestly, however I've read that "Buddhahood" is the highest form of enlightenment, and I am interested in possibly taking that path. If you can share your knowledge on the differences as well I would greatly appreciate it.
The "enlightenment" -- bodhi -- of the arahant is no different from that of the Buddha.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
Tom
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Re: Path to Buddhahood

Post by Tom »

Thanks for the info. If the "enlightenment" or bodhi is the same than what are the differences?
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Alex123
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Re: Path to Buddhahood

Post by Alex123 »

ccharles wrote:Thanks for the info. If the "enlightenment" or bodhi is the same than what are the differences?
According to Orthodox Theravada, Buddha has fulfilled more paramis and is first arisen arahant in the period when Buddhasasana is not found.

Arahants on other hand, study existing Dhamma and don't have to go that far.
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Hanzze
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Re: Path to Buddhahood

Post by Hanzze »

ccharles wrote:Thanks for the info. If the "enlightenment" or bodhi is the same than what are the differences?
What would be the different for you?
Just that! *smile*
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
Tom
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Re: Path to Buddhahood

Post by Tom »

I wondered if becoming a Buddha would help the maximum number of beings achieve liberation in the shortest amount of time, as compared to an arhat.
Last edited by Tom on Wed Dec 19, 2012 7:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Hanzze
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Re: Path to Buddhahood

Post by Hanzze »

Does it seems to you, or is it something you have been told?
Just that! *smile*
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
Tom
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Re: Path to Buddhahood

Post by Tom »

I have not been told this personally, I was just wondering
Last edited by Tom on Wed Dec 19, 2012 7:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
santa100
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Re: Path to Buddhahood

Post by santa100 »

I think it's important to know exactly what is meant by Buddha, or Arahant, or Bodhisattvas. Unfortunately, these cannot be summarized in a few lines. Bhikkhu Bodhi wrote a great article on this exact topic. Definitely a good read and I'd strongly recommend it..

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... ttvas.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Hanzze
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Re: Path to Buddhahood

Post by Hanzze »

ccharles wrote:I have not been told this personally, I only know what I know through a bit of research on the issue.
So told via reading what was written. What is your opinion to it and maybe more important, what would be your intention behind it (for expample the desire to attain Buddhahood)? What is behind, deep inside of such a desire?
Just that! *smile*
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
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tiltbillings
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Re: Path to Buddhahood

Post by tiltbillings »

ccharles wrote:Thanks for the info. If the "enlightenment" or bodhi is the same than what are the differences?
http://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... 4&#p149864" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... 4&#p149866" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... 02&#p21902" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
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Hanzze
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Re: Path to Buddhahood

Post by Hanzze »

There is a nice article: Between Arhat and Bodhisattva - Finding the Perfect Balance (guess that the Buddhahood stands often for the supercream ideal of liberator (which is mentioned in the term of Bodhisattva and fits well to western ideas of compassion)

Don’t be an arahant, don’t be a bodhisattva, don’t be anything at all—if you are anything at all you will suffer.” —Ajahn Chah
Just that! *smile*
...We Buddhists must find the courage to leave our temples and enter the temples of human experience, temples that are filled with suffering. If we listen to Buddha, Christ, or Gandhi, we can do nothing else. The refugee camps, the prisons, the ghettos, and the battlefields will become our temples. We have so much work to do. ... Peace is Possible! Step by Step. - Samtach Preah Maha Ghosananda "Step by Step" http://www.ghosananda.org/bio_book.html

BUT! it is important to become a real Buddhist first. Like Punna did: Punna Sutta Nate sante baram sokham _()_
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