Note: This is the fourth in a five-part series of lively, engaged Dharma Discussions focused on “Basics of Buddhism, ” in response to requests from sangha members for information about the fundamentals of Buddhist histories, principles, and practices. It is not necessary to have attended previous discussions to participate in this or the next one.
The Four Noble Truths and their Eightfold Path offer a prescription for freedom from individual suffering, but how do we address the mass suffering of others – the countless beings throughout our world who suffer effects not only of individual afflictions but of wide-scale horrors such as war, terrorism, social oppression, or environmental crisis?
For two thousand years, Mahayana Buddhism has offered the ideal of the Bodhisattva, an enlightened being who works to alleviate the suffering of others and who delays final liberation until all are free. The Bodhisattva Path exists for those practitioners of the Buddha way who “raise the mind of enlightenment” and who vow to save all beings. A Bodhisattva also can be a deity such as Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, who hears the cries of the world and responds.
How did the Bodhisattva ideal develop? Was the Buddha a Bodhisattva? What is an arhat, and how does a Bodhisattva differ from one? What are the stages of the Bodhisattva Path?
Who are the celestial Bodhisattvas? Who was Santideva and why was his text “The Way of the Bodhisattva” significant? In regard to the Bodhisattva Vow to save all beings – how can this be accomplished? Does the vow relate in some way to the precepts? How does the Bodhisattva Path of relieving suffering in the world connect with today’s Socially Engaged Buddhism movements?
Join us to explore these and other questions. Following a brief meditation period (beginner instruction available), Reverend Kanji will share basic information on these topics and then, in the spirit of open inquiry, there will be a free-ranging Dharma Discussion. Bring your own questions! Everyone is welcome – new and experienced practitioners from all Buddhist traditions, and non-Buddhists, too.