On one reading of the Bodhisatva ideal, the extinction of sentient life on the planet is the ultimate goal of Buddhism.
-
-
Replying to @Jayarava
Is there any reading of the Bodhisatva ideal that does not logically imply that this is the goal?
1 reply 0 retweets 4 likes -
Replying to @Meaningness @Jayarava
Do you think it reasonable to extend that reading of the Bodhisattva ideal to most of what gets taught in the common brands of exoteric Vajrayana?
1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
Well… that’s a quantitative question about a vague statement, so it’s hard to answer!
2 replies 0 retweets 2 likes -
To start, there’s two possible interpretations, according to whether you count Buddhas as sentient beings.
1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes -
“Saving” in Buddhism means “enabling a sentient being to become a Buddha, who is not a sentient being.” So “I vow to save them all” should result in extinction of sentient beings by way of all six realms being exhausted of transmigrating non-Buddhas, >
2 replies 0 retweets 0 likes -
It's not "save" it's "liberate". That is the correct translation. The vow was originally translated by judeo-christian translators so they used word "save". "I vow to liberate them all"
2 replies 0 retweets 1 like -
Interestingly, in Mahayoga (a branch of Vajrayana), “liberate” is a equated with “kill.”
1 reply 0 retweets 2 likes -
to kill what?
1 reply 0 retweets 1 like
Well, just generically. Whatever you are “liberating.” This is one of the “twilight language” equivalences.
-
-
There is early Buddhist material on "killing" the asavas. Passion and craving. Words are the trap. Reflect on what one is liberating, the means to do so, and what it means to actually be intent on the liberation of others.
0 replies 0 retweets 0 likesThanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.