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| INTRODUCTION | BODDHISATTVA & HUMANITARIANISM |
| MAHAKARUNA | BODHIS MIND AND BODHICHARYA |
| THE PRAYER OF BODHISATTVA | SATVARADHANA |
| A SPIRITUAL DIALOGUE | PARMITA SADHANA |
| MAHAVANI | SALIENT FEATURES |
| DOWNFALL OF BUDDHISM | |
INTRODUCTION
On the basis of the Sadhaks (one who practices
spirituality), interest and authority there are 3 paths
(Sadhana Marg) demarcated in Buddhism.
- Shravak Yan,
- Pratyekbuddha Yan,
- Boddhisattva Yan.
To eliminate misery of life, a Sadhak
of the 'Shravak Yan' learns the pre-determined methods
in the tutelage of an experienced teacher (Guru) and
aims to attain the state of 'Arhat'. The ultimate aim of
his Sadhana (penance) is to achieve Bodhi or 'Parmarth
Jnana' (knowledge of eternal truth) and free himself
from all miseries and sorrows. Using his talent and
strong determination, the Sadhak moves ahead on the
Sadhana marg to attain the state of Bodhi, despite not
having a Guru. He is known as 'Pachchek' or 'Pratyek
Buddha'.
Sadhakas who belong to this category,
stay away from material life, meditate in solitude and
lead detached lives. They do not reach out again to the
multitudes to impart their knowledge or to encourage
them on the path of Boddhimarga. They are indifferent to
preaching or the Bahaiya (external) Karma.
PACHCHEK BUDDHA SAYAMEVA BUTHANTI, PARE NA BODHANTI.
Sadhaks who attain state of Pratyek Buddha or
knowledge of Bodhi do not go around preaching and
encouraging people towards their goal. On the contrary,
Sadhaks belonging to the Bodhisattva Yan do not attain
Buddhatva (enlightenment) merely to put an end to
personal sorrows and miseries, they aim at putting an
end to sorrows of all living creatures and animals.
After being enlightened, they work in the best
interest of all the living beings i.e. 'SATVARTH KRIYA'.
It is said about those who follow the Bodhisattva Yan
and attain enlightenment:
BUDDHA SAYAMEVA BUJJHANTI PARE CHA BODHENTI ||
The Budha Loga attain Bodhi and encourage others to
follow the similar path for their wellbeing and
emancipation.
Shravak Yan and Buddha (Pratyek)
Yan are generally known as 'Hinayana' while Bodhisattva
Yan has been known as Mahayana. We shall quote a shloka
from the Bhagwat Gita to demarcate the difference of
ideology within Hinayana and Mahayana.
Devotee
Prahlad tells Bhagwan Narsimha -
PRAYENA DEVA MUNAYAHA SWAVIMUKTI KAMA MAUNAM CHARANTI
VIJANE NA PARARTHNISHTHAHA |
NAITAN VIHAM KRUPANAM
VIMUMUKSHA EKO
NANYAM TWADASYA SHARANAM BHRAMATO
ANOPASHYE ||
Meaning - O
Lord! Inspired by the concept of salvation, sages and
hermits often observe silence and go into the forest and
live in total solitude. They do not strive for others'
welfare. I do not want to leave all these poor innocent
people and attain liberation. In this world, a person
falls prey to all types of good and bad situations and
becomes confused and aimless. In this way, such people
in dilemma do not have any refuge other than you.
These types of people known as Shravaks and Pratyek
Buddha have resemblance to the people mentioned in the
above shloka.
Those people, who strive for
enlightenment of themselves along with the emancipation
of all living beings by emancipating them from all
sorrows and miseries, are known as Boddhisattva.
To attain state of enlightenment, the Boddhisattva takes
the following resolution.
"I shall enlighten
myself and also help others to emancipate and enlighten
themselves. I shall attain salvation and help others in
their liberation. I shall cross this ocean of miseries
(Material Life) and help others to do so."
The
incantation recited for the initiation into the Buddhist
fold is
BUDDHAM SHARANAM GACHCHAMI
DHAMMAM SHARANAM GACHCHAMI
SANGHAM SHARANAM GACHCHAMI
Meaning:- I
seek the refuge of Buddha I seek the refuge of the
Dharma I seek the refuge of the Sangha.