The main goal of Buddhism?

[Serrao]

Originally Posted by RyanWind

Masters don't want followers, they want people to wake up, that's all.

Very clear.
Thanks Ryan.

[Serrao]

Originally Posted by jonesboy

Here is some idea:

The Bodhisattva is said to have well grasped the teaching of the Tathágatas when, all alone in a lonely place, by means of his Transcendental Intelligence, he walks the path leading to Nirvana. Thereon his mind will unfold by perceiving, thinking, meditating, and, abiding in the practice of concentration until he attains the "turning-about" at the source of habit-energy, he will thereafter lead a life of excellent deeds. His mind concentrated on the state of Buddhahood, he will become thoroughly conversant with the noble truth of self-realization; he will become perfect master of his own mind; he will be like a gem radiating many colors; he will be able to assume bodies of transformation; he will be able to enter into the minds of all to help them; and; finally, by gradually ascending the stages he will become established in the perfect Transcendental Intelligence of the Tathágatas.

Nevertheless, Transcendental Intelligence (Arya-jnana) is not Noble Wisdom (Arya-prajña) itself, only an intuitive awareness of it. Noble Wisdom is a perfect state of imageless-ness; it is the Womb of "Suchness;" it is the all-conserving Divine Mind (Alaya-Vijnana), which in its pure Essence forever abides in perfect patience and undisturbed tranquility.

http://buddhasutra.com/files/lankavatara_sutra.htm

If I look at society of the present day, there are very few people who represent what you described.

It seems to me that what Buddha tried others "to get" is still very difficult to understand and achieve.

[Within Silence]

Originally Posted by Serrao

Could it be then, that maybe Buddha wanted to end the suffering of other beings because of developed compassion?

Buddha knew that he could not end the suffering of others, but he could lay down a path, that, if followed may eventually lead one to ending their own suffering through seeing and understanding its cause. The ending of suffering is also the seeing and understanding of it, they're not two separate events/happenings.

The cure resides not outside the cause!

[Within Silence]

Originally Posted by RyanWind

Same thing Mooji is trying to get people to get.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgjIM4rK_-w

What's funny about this video of his is you also see how most people don't get it and are lost in their ideas he is a god. That's how religions start. The worshiping of a person instead of taking what he offering as far as a truth and becoming that. Masters don't want followers, they want people to wake up, that's all.

Spot on RyanWind! So true.

As J. Krishnamurti stated; "All authority of any kind, especially in the field of thought and understanding, is the most destructive, evil thing. Leaders destroy the followers and followers destroy the leaders. You have to be your own teacher and your own disciple. You have to question everything that man has accepted as valuable, as necessary."

[Gem]

Originally Posted by Serrao

Could it be then, that maybe Buddha wanted to end the suffering of other beings because of developed compassion?

The story goes that Buddha left the palace and saw so much suffering and was inspired to find out how to end it. Apparently he found the way, but as it turned out each individual has to end their own. Buddhism has an indepth philosophy about this, and the practices that supposedly lead to the cessation of suffering, but it is said that each person has to walk the path, and no one can walk it for them.

[Serrao]

Originally Posted by Within Silence

Buddha knew that he could not end the suffering of others, but he could lay down a path, that, if followed may eventually lead one to ending their own suffering through seeing and understanding its cause. The ending of suffering is also the seeing and understanding of it, they're not two separate events/happenings.

The cure resides not outside the cause!

I've heard that gurus can take away all pain and suffering from their disciples through some sort of transmission if they truly surrender to the guru.
The follower doesn't have a clue about the cause or the cure, but simply believes.
Jesus cured many people this way.

Is such a cure not lasting?

[Serrao]

Originally Posted by Gem

The story goes that Buddha left the palace and saw so much suffering and was inspired to find out how to end it. Apparently he found the way, but as it turned out each individual has to end their own. Buddhism has an indepth philosophy about this, and the practices that supposedly lead to the cessation of suffering, but it is said that each person has to walk the path, and no one can walk it for them.

Is an escape from the cycle of rebirth and death also part of the definite cessation of suffering according to Buddhism?

[naturesflow]

Originally Posted by Serrao

Perhaps he saw himself as an instrument to help with the achievement of the "Greater Plan"?

Yes, it could be viewed this way. The vision bridging an awareness of others who he realized could share in what had become known to him.

[Gem]

Originally Posted by Serrao

Is an escape from the cycle of rebirth and death also part of the definite cessation of suffering according to Buddhism?

Yes . Nirvana marks the end of the birth death cycle, but it's not thought of as an escape. It's usually thought of as liberation.

[Serrao]

Originally Posted by Gem

Yes . Nirvana marks the end of the birth death cycle, but it's not thought of as an escape. It's usually thought of as liberation.

Can you conclude then, that 7+ billion people surely didn't achieve Nirvana in their previous incarnation? Including you and me?