Bodhisattva legitimacy in Buddhism

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  • Created by: CG24601
  • Created on: 07-05-19 17:54
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  • “The concept of the Bodhisattva is a legitimate concept for all Buddhists.” Evaluate this view.
    • Theravada: For
      • Theravada Buddhists do refer to the Bodhisattva
        • The Buddha himself was referred to as a Bodhisattva before is awakening
        • The Bodhisattva is not the ideal and archtype in the way it is for Mahayana
    • Mahayana
      • State their scriptures are the second turning of the Dharma wheel and therefore proclaim a more universal path
      • the Bodhisattva's path is much longer and more complex to understand for the sake of sentient beings
      • the concept of Bodhisattva is in line with the Buddha's teachings
        • the link between wisdom and compassion founded on pratityasamut-pad and therefore a logical development of key Buddhist ideas
    • Legitimate for each expression of Buddhism
      • no conflict at all between the paths as they stand individually, its only when a comparison is drawn that debate sparks
        • Surely the issue of legitimacy is only relevant to the tradition it comes from
          • the Bodhisattva is a legitimate concept in Mahayana Buddhism much like the Arhat in Theravada
    • The claims made are the same, just seen in different ways
      • The Bodhisattva is enlightened in not accepting full enlightenment and returning to save all other sentient beings
      • The Arhat is enlightened and equally concerned with his or her dealings with humanity.
      • Ultimately, their goals are the same in that they both wish to eliminate suffering and aspire to enlightenment
        • more positive form of comparison? legitimises both paths as following the way of the Buddha
    • Theravada: Against
      • the Bodhisattva path isn't mentioned nor promoted as superior to or an alternative to the Arhat path in the Pali Canon
        • Also no reference in Theravada texts stating this was his goal
      • The Arhat would claim to be equally compassion-ate despite being more introverted and concerned with personal spiritual developments than those of countless other beings
  • the Bodhisattva path isn't mentioned nor promoted as superior to or an alternative to the Arhat path in the Pali Canon
    • Also no reference in Theravada texts stating this was his goal

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