Bodhisattva Vows

[Skull]

This article gives traditional Mahayana motives & practices that are foundational to making many lifetime altruistic vows:

http://theosophynexus.com/profiles/b...ource=activity

[Skull]

The link above is not good anymore. Here is better information:

The central element in Mahayana is a vowed intention to become a bodhisattva, then a buddha. On that path one will help all other beings towards that goal of buddhahood.

This chapter 40 of the Avatamsaka Sutra gives ten vast vows practiced by Mahasattva Samantabhadra and recommended by him for aspirants:

http://www.sutrasmantras.info/sutra21.html

At that time Samantabhadra Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva, having praised Tathāgatas’ merit, said to the Bodhisattvas and the youth Sudhana: “Good men, if Buddhas [in worlds] in the ten directions expound Tathāgatas’ merit continuously for as many kalpas as there are dust particles in innumerable Buddha Lands, they still can never finish their narrations. If one wants to go through this Merit Door, one should train in the ten great vowed actions. What are these ten?

First, make obeisance to Buddhas.
Second, praise Tathāgatas.
Third, make expansive offerings.
Fourth, repent of karma, the cause of hindrances.
Fifth, express sympathetic joy over others’ merits.
Sixth, request Buddhas to turn the Dharma wheel.
Seventh, beseech Buddhas to abide in the world.
Eighth, always follow Buddhas to learn.
Ninth, forever support sentient beings.
Tenth, universally transfer all merits to others.”

[sky]

Originally Posted by Skull

The link above is not good anymore. Here is better information:

The central element in Mahayana is a vowed intention to become a bodhisattva, then a buddha. On that path one will help all other beings towards that goal of buddhahood.

This chapter 40 of the Avatamsaka Sutra gives ten vast vows practiced by Mahasattva Samantabhadra and recommended by him for aspirants:

http://www.sutrasmantras.info/sutra21.html

Not to forget that The Buddha never taught any of the above. If your interested you can read what is recognised by Buddhist Scholars to be the earliest Buddha's Teachings.
Buddha did not teach the Bodhisattva path, which emerges only in later documents that started to appear at least a century after His death......

[Skull]

Originally Posted by sky123

Not to forget that The Buddha never taught any of the above. If your interested you can read what is recognised by Buddhist Scholars to be the earliest Buddha's Teachings.
Buddha did not teach the Bodhisattva path, which emerges only in later documents that started to appear at least a century after His death......

The oral & visionary traditions were the primary sources of all Buddha's teachings (and other Indian paths, for that matter). When they were put into script means little or nothing.

[sky]

Originally Posted by Skull

The oral & visionary traditions were the primary sources of all Buddha's teachings (and other Indian paths, for that matter). When they were put into script means little or nothing.

Oh...

Buddhism is Based on Dharma.

[Skull]

Originally Posted by sky123

Oh...

Buddhism is Based on Dharma.

Correct - and Dhamma is experiential as well as oral or textual.

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by Skull

The oral & visionary traditions were the primary sources of all Buddha's teachings (and other Indian paths, for that matter). When they were put into script means little or nothing.

Excellent point. Thanks for pointing that out.

[jonesboy]

Originally Posted by sky123

Not to forget that The Buddha never taught any of the above. If your interested you can read what is recognised by Buddhist Scholars to be the earliest Buddha's Teachings.
Buddha did not teach the Bodhisattva path, which emerges only in later documents that started to appear at least a century after His death......

Sky,

We have discussed this, I have showed the history of Mahayana. How they and what is now known as Theravada lived together at the time.

What you consider as only the Buddhist teachings (Pali Cannon) was just those teachings that were published first by one tradition.

Later, Mahayana published their teachings, New Buddha's have come on the scene and provided their teachings. Mahasiddha's have provided a lot of Buddhist teachings and insights.

All of it is Buddhist, all of it is considered Buddhism and teachings of the Buddha.

For instance in Theravada you will not find teachings of a Bodhisattva. Why? Because in Theravada it is not possible to reach Buddhahood in this lifetime. In Mahayana you can, so you have stages of the Arhat, Bodhisattva and the various levels as well as the various types of Buddhas.

Now people can disagree with a traditions beliefs and practices but it is wrong to say the largest tradition in Buddhism by far is not really Buddhist or following the teachings of the Buddha.

For instance again.. Zen which you are a fan, came from a Buddha named Bodhidharma. He is considered a Buddha, provided new teachings both in Sutra and in spiritual practices. Are they all fake and wrong, misguided?

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by jonesboy

Sky, We have discussed this, I have showed the history of Mahayana. How they and what is now known as Theravada lived together at the time.
What you consider as only the Buddhist teachings (Pali Cannon) was just those teachings that were published first by one tradition.

NICE COMMENTS

Some people do realize there is a difference between Catholics and Protestants.
        What many people do not realize, is that Buddhism has similar rifts.

[Skull]

Returning to the bodhisattva vows text I linked in post #14; here is Master Hua commenting on the title:

Commentary:
An Exhortation to Resolve Upon Bodhi.

This essay is a series of logical reasons
for encouraging us to make a resolve. What
resolve should we make? We should resolve upon Bodhi.
What is the resolve upon Bodhi? It is a resolve to understand. It
is the resolve to turn back from confusion and return to enlightenment,
to give up what is deviant and return to what is proper, to clearly
know right from wrong, to stop being upside-down, and to
be straightforward. There is absolutely nothing devious or crooked
about a straightforward mind. The resolve for Bodhi is a resolve to
benefit people. By benefiting others, you yourself benefit. By
working to lead others to become enlightened, you yourself become
enlightened.

“Bodhi” is a Sanskrit term. It means “to enlighten to the Path.”
You understand the Path, and thus are able to cultivate. You can’t
cultivate if you don’t understand the Path; you will be upside-down
forever. You’ll think what is right is wrong and what is wrong is
right. You’ll think black is white and get everything backwards.
You’ll walk the proper road if you understand the Path. If not,
you’ll walk a deviant path. The important point of resolving on
Bodhi is that you do no evil, but respectfully practice all good.
These are simply the moral precepts. You maintain your resolve for
Bodhi if you follow the rules. You have forgotten your resolve
when you don’t follow the rules.