Buddhahood

Both the Lotus Sutra and the Zen teachings of Master Lin-Chi are texts that define what it means to practice Buddhism. One would think two books over one doctrine would be very similar in their prescriptions, but this is not the case. The Lotus Sutra is presented as a discourse delivered by the Buddha towards the end of his life, featuring many sutras on processes to gain enlightenment. The Zen teachings feature Master Lin Chi and were writing in 810 to 866 AD, during the Tang Dynasty and focus…

The Japanese view spirits in all living or inanimate things with all things having the buddha nature, and therefore, a fetus, though not having had any breath of life, still contains a spirit and the potential for Buddhahood. From this understand, the woman who had the abortion could feel guilt over her abortion, however, through the ritual of mizuko kuyo, a woman is able to comfort the soul of the fetus, and in turn, relieve some of the guilt that she feels. Abortions…

gender. In many Buddhist sutras it was taught that women could never become Buddhas. One sutra reads, "Even if the eyes of the Buddhas of the three existences were to fall to the ground, no woman of any of the realms of existence could ever attain Buddhahood. "This no doubt reflects the prevailing view of women in India in the fifth century B.C.E. where they were considered more or less the property of their husbands. However, it is said that in response to requests from his aunt and other…

Buddhism can be broken down into main schools all have their own teachings and purposes. The school are Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, Vajrayana Buddhism and Zen Buddhism I will discuss the similarities and differences. Theravada Buddhism,it is considered the most conservative branch of Buddhism. It is known to be a monastic branch and is very strict, Thereavada is known for sticking to the original teachings of Buddha. According to Theravada Buddhism, one must live ethically, meditate,…

rebirths, […] have to cease to be female and go on being born only as a male” (Haddad 90). It was said in the Mahayana tradition that women were able to “tread the bodhisattva¬-path toward enlightenment,” but that they could only aspire to true Buddhahood and nirvana (Haddad 90). This shows again the idea of women being inferior to men in the culture of Buddhism. Like the female deities spoken of earlier, these women were symbolically kept out of nirvana simply due to their own gender. While…

A Day in the Life of a Buddhist Monk in Korea, This girl wrote an article how she went a day with the Buddhist at the Beomeosa Temple in Busan, South Korea. When she got there around 1 pm with other foreigners, all of them immediately changed into their monk clothes. Consisted of a vest and baggy sweats designed specially for sitting “Indian style” when they will do meditation time. Had to learn few “temple manners,” like proper way to bow, whom to bow to, where to bow, how many times to bow,…

Zazan: A Buddhist Ritual “A special transmission outside the scriptures, Not founded upon words and letters; By pointing directly to one’s mind. It lets one see into one’s own true nature and thus attain Buddhahood”(Gateless Gate). In the denomination of Zen Buddhism, there are many forms of Zen practice including but not limited to bowing, chanting, and sitting. One of the most well known forms of Zen practice is sitting, otherwise known as Zazen. This form of meditation is significant to the…

The Divine Knowledge in Chinese Religions Youteng Bi In no matter what religious traditions the discussion of divine knowledge is always an important topic, for it concerns the questions about the power of the divine. The discussion of the power of the divine often influences believers’ faith. In Abrahamic traditions, the discussion of the divine knowledge directly relates to the mighty of the God, thus many theologians in history devoted themselves to develop systematic theories on divine…

right mindfulness. After Buddha’s death at the age of 80, his followers developed his teachings and founded the world’s eldest monastic institutions. In Mahayana Buddhism, the goal was extended from accomplishing nirvana for oneself to reaching Buddhahood for all individuals. A Buddha is not a god but somewhat one who understands the ultimate nature of the world and allowing him to no longer form part of this cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. According to the Buddhist’s believes all beings are…

In general, Buddhism can be divided into two streams, namely: (1) "Theravada", which put greater respect to the Bhikhu and clinging to the understanding of the doctrine / teachings of Buddha literally. Attainment of Buddhahood consciousness to arrive at a more directed to the self; and (2) "Mahayana", which appeared approximately at the end of the first century BC, more emphasis on the achievement of Buddha consciousness for oneself and for others, as done by the bodhisattvas. The fundamental…