A Bodhisattva is one who is enlightened and one who truly seeks to guide others to enlightenment out of pure compassion. ... Another reason as to why karma was so widely accepted was because it spoke almost directly to the attaining of enlightenment. ... However, within the Mahayana school of Buddhism those who have attained enlightenment are still referred to as Buddha's and those who have reached enlightenment and return to help others are Bodhisattvas. Arhat - An arhat is one who has reached enlightenment and attained complete wisdom according to Thravadan teachings. ... This was ...

• Word Count: 1093
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In early Mahayana Buddhism as soon as someone reached nirvana and became a Buddha, his goal was to help others reach enlightenment as well. ... Instead, the Zen master would meditate and expect his disciples to understand and reach enlightenment by themselves. No words were actually exchanged to describe how to reach enlightenment. When a student in a monastery would have a question what was needed to reach enlightenment, the master would not give a direct answer. ... Buddha-nature is the belief that every living thing has the potential to reach Buddha-hood and enlightenment. ...

• Word Count: 1302
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Buddhism emerged in India in the sixth century BCE when a privileged man named Siddartha Gautama sought out to discover an escape from suffering and the path to spiritual enlightenment. ... This is crucial in understanding the path to enlightenment. ... After reaching enlightenment, the cycle of rebirth comes to an end at the time of death. ... If we ruminate in such concepts, we cannot reach enlightenment (Young). ... Enlightenment is possible....

• Word Count: 816
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

By performing them, individuals, through the working of karma, can seek to assure themselves rebirth in one of the heavens or a better station in life, from which they may be able to attain the goal of enlightenment. Zen Buddhism Zen or Chan Buddhism represents a movement within the Buddhist religion that stresses the practice of meditation as the means to enlightenment. ... According to a later and clearly biased legend, Huineng defeated Hung-jen in a stanza-composing contest, thereby demonstrating his superior enlightenment (Davids 104). ... Zen meditation highlights the experience o...

• Word Count: 1355
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Buddhism compared to consumerism Ceremonies Both participate in different ceremonies that go throughout the year, being quite joyful occasions. Buddhist typically celebrate the birthdays of Bodhisattvas or other significant dates in the Buddhist calendar, the most significant celebration i...

• Word Count: 424
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

While American Buddhism does tend to be very individualistic, individual enlightenment is grasped through the profound realization of the inseparability of the individual and their surroundings, and their ability to powerfully influence both. Interacting with other believers and working toward a similar goal is the key to individual enlightenment, thus connecting the American Buddhist individual to the American Buddhist community. ...

• Word Count: 985
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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Of the many religions that originated in the Indian peninsula, Buddhism is the one that, during the last decade, has known the biggest enthusiasm and the greatest increase in interest in the West (Baumann & Prebish, p. 85). In fact, this increase in interest is reflected by the numerous stories rela...

• Word Count: 2720
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The world is a place where thousands of people live and interact with each other every day. Without a doubt, every person is an individual, with different feelings and beliefs over situations that they come across. Everyday in our life we are able to talk and relate with different people, we certain...

• Word Count: 2765
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Epics, which are generally long narrative poems about a serious subject representing characters of great significance (DeCoskey), have long played a role in the formation of many of today's societies. Though, as a rule, epics generally occur in the nearly forgotten past, there are many, many example...

• Word Count: 900
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate