Keywords in Enlightenment Legacies

Keywords in Enlightenment Legacies

Keyword #7 Gati

By Martino Dibeltulo Concu on March 2, 2024

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Sanskrit: gati गति
Pāli: gati
Chinese: qu 趣

Definition:

In Sanskrit and Pāli, “gati” conveys the meaning of “destiny.” Gati delineates one of the five or six realms within saṃsārawhere rebirth may occur. These realms, arranged in ascending order of desirability, include nāraka (“hell denizens”), preta (“hungry ghosts”), tiryak (“animals”), manuṣya (“humans”), deva (“gods”), and occasionally asura (“demigods”). Embedded within the trilokadhātu (“Three Realms”), these destinies encompass the entirety of our universe, from the depths of the hells beneath the continent of Jambudvīpa, to the celestial heights of Mount Sumeru, the towering mountain at the center of the Buddhist cosmos, and beyond.

Significance:

The idea of gati, as elaborated in Buddhist texts, offers reflection on the cyclical nature of existence and the moral foundations of rebirth. The lower three realms are marked by suffering due to past nonvirtuous actions. By contrast, in the realms of the gods happiness reigns due to former virtuous deeds. Still, the human realm is the only realm where joy and suffering are balanced. This realm affords the clarity to perceive the frailty of life, making it the most suitable for attaining enlightenment. The realms of gati are vividly depicted in Buddhist literature and art. Tales of the rebirth destinies serve as cautionary tales that illustrate the consequences of one’s actions. Depictions of these realms in the Bhavacakra (“Wheel of Existence”), for example, serve as pedagogical tools, guiding practitioners on the path.

In summary, gati emerges as an element of Buddhist thought at the intersection of morality, cosmology, and the quest for liberation. The idea of destiny implies reflection on the uncertain conditions of existence. Indeed, rebirth in any of the five destinies is transient and may end at any given time. Hence, reflection on the idea of gati urges the cultivation of virtuous deeds and the development of insight. It points towards liberation, not only from the lower destinies, but from all realms within saṃsāra, including the heavens above and beyond Mount Sumeru.

Keyword #6 Naiṣkramya

By Martino Dibeltulo Concu on March 2, 2024

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Sanskrit: naiṣkramya नैष्क्रम्य
Chinese: chuli 出離
Tibetan: nges ’byung ངེས་འབྱུང་

Definition:

Renunciation, or naiṣkramya, is the act of leaving behind the mundane life to embark on a religious vocation. Renunciation involves a move away from the sensory world towards a life dedicated to religious practice. Still, renunciation is not merely an act of physical withdrawal from the world but represents an internal shift geared towards eradicating attachment to the sensory world. This transformative practice is critical for developing right intention, as outlined in the āryāṣṭāṅgamārga (“Noble Eightfold Path”), and is foundational for the cultivation of morality, concentration, and wisdom—the threefold training essential for achieving enlightenment.

Significance:

The doctrinal foundations of renunciation are embedded in Buddhist scriptures, where it is often presented as a necessary, initial step for those seeking to escape from the cycle of rebirths, or saṃsāra (“wandering”). Historically, the Buddha’s own act of renunciation was a key moment that set the stage for his enlightenment. Later, the concept of renunciation has been important in the development of monastic traditions across Buddhist cultures, serving as the first step for anyone entering the monastic life. Subsequently, renunciation became an essential component for cultivating bodhicitta, the aspiration to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of sentient beings, a key concept in the Mahāyāna (“Great Vehicle”). By letting go of personal attachments and desires, practitioners can wish for and work towards the liberation of all living beings from suffering.

In Buddhist literature, stories of renunciation serve as narratives that illustrate the virtue and determination necessary to overcome involvement with the sensory world. Renunciation is frequently depicted as a dramatic moment of insight or awakening—for instance, the Buddha’s own renunciation is a central theme in many stories and artistic representations. Renunciation thus embodies the initial, decisive step away from saṃsāra towards nirvāṇa, conveying the Buddhist ideal of liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Through the act of renunciation, individuals commit to a path of consistent practice that leads to the ultimate freedom and the realization of buddhahood: a universal principle that underpins a vast array of doctrines and practices across traditions.

Keyword #5 Abhidharma

By Martino Dibeltulo Concu on February 11, 2024

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Sanskrit: Abhidharma अभिधर्म
Pāli: Abhidhamma
Chinese: Āpídámó 阿毘達磨
Tibetan: Chos mngon pa ཆོས་མངོན་པ།

Definition:

Abhidharma, translating to “higher teachings” or “higher dharma,” is a critical and analytical elaboration of Buddhist doctrines, particularly concerning epistemology, psychology, and metaphysics. It systematizes the teachings found in the sūtras into precise, technical descriptions of reality and the processes of mental and physical phenomena.

Significance:

Abhidharma represents a crucial development in Buddhist literature, emerging as a systematic exposition of the Buddha’s teachings. It evolved either from mnemonic matrices or catechistic discussions, refining and categorizing doctrinal elements to facilitate understanding and memorization. Abhidharma texts offer a comprehensive analysis of reality, detailing the dynamics of consciousness, matter, and their interrelations. This genre forms a part of the Tripiṭaka (“Three Baskets”), emphasizing higher wisdom training and encompassing topics like epistemology, cosmology, and the path to enlightenment. In Mahāyāna Buddhism, Abhidharma extends to include broader treatises, influencing scholastic discussions and practice. It plays a crucial role in structuring and disseminating Buddhist philosophy and practice across traditions.

Keyword #4 Arhat

By Martino Dibeltulo Concu on February 4, 2024

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Sanskrit: arhat अर्हत्
Pāli: arahat
Chinese: luóhàn 羅漢
Tibetan: dgra bcom pa དགྲ་བཅོམ་པ་

Definition:

An arhat, or “worthy one” in Buddhism, is a being who has eradicated all afflictions (kleśa) and will not be reborn, as they will enter nirvāṇa upon death. This state is achieved by overcoming the ten fetters that bind one to the cycle of rebirth, including ignorance, craving, and the belief in a permanent self.

Significance:

The arhat, in the context of mainstream Buddhist schools, is viewed as the culmination of spiritual attainment. They stand as the highest among the four grades of noble persons (āryapudgala), surpassing stream-enterers, once-returners, and non-returners. This attainment involves the complete extinguishment of the ten fetters and contaminants (āsravakṣaya), allowing one to achieve nirvāṇa in their current life and final liberation (parinirvāṇa) at death.

In Mahāyāna Buddhism, however, the ideal of the arhat is considered inferior to that of both the bodhisattva and the buddha. The arhat is seen as having overcome only the afflictive obstructions (kleśāvaraṇa), but not the obstructions to knowledge (jñeyāvaraṇa), which is a realization only the buddhas can achieve. Despite this, arhats are highly revered figures in Buddhist literature and art, often featured as key figures in significant texts like the Saddharmapuṇḍarīkasūtra (Lotus Sūtra) and the Vajracchedikāprajñāpāramitāsūtra (Diamond Sūtra). They are also venerated in East Asia, particularly in the form of luohans, who are believed to remain in the world until the coming of Maitreya, the next buddha of the present cosmic age. In China, for example, these luohans, often numbered as sixteen, are celebrated in separate shrines and represent the profound legacy of arhats in Buddhist cultural and religious practices.

Keyword #3 Guru

By Martino Dibeltulo Concu on January 27, 2024

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Sanskrit: guru गुरु
Pāli: upādhyāya उपाध्याय
Chinese: shàngshī 上師
Tibetan: bla ma བླ་མ་

Definition:

In Buddhism, the term “guru” represents a highly revered teacher or guide. This term connotes a figure of weight and authority, typically serving as a mentor or instructor in religious practices and doctrines. In Buddhism, the guru is more than a teacher; they are often venerated as a guide leading disciples on their path to enlightenment.

Significance:

The concept of the guru in Buddhism carries historical and cultural relevance. Emphasized in Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna traditions, the guru is not only a teacher but also a guide on the path to personal and universal awakening. The relationship between guru and disciple is symbolic, often compared to the bond between father and son, signifying nurturance, guidance, and the transfer of wisdom and insight. In Mahāyāna scriptures such as the Avataṃsakasūtra, the guru plays a crucial role in guiding spiritual seekers like Sudhana through a series of encounters with various mentors, each imparting different aspects of insight into the path. The Avataṃsaka’s literary representation highlights the nature of the guru as a figure embodying various forms of wisdom.

In the Vajrayāna, the guru assumes an even more central role. Here, the guru is regarded as the human embodiment of the Buddha’s cosmic bodies. This reflects the belief that the guru’s teachings and presence facilitate a direct connection with the higher truths taught in the Tantras. The Gurupañcāśikā, a text delineating the proper conduct of students in the presence of a tantric guru, underlines the reverence and respect owed to the teacher. In Tibet, as in India, the guru is central to religious practice, an essential mediator and conveyor of the Buddha’s teachings, often revered as an embodiment of the Buddha himself. The veneration of the guru in Buddhist literature and art reflects this deep-seated reverence. Representations of gurus in Buddhist art often depict them with auras of sanctity, emphasizing their divine nature and their role in the journey of their disciples. In summary, the guru is a symbol of practice and understanding, transcending the role of a mere teacher to become a guide on the path to enlightenment.