Persons of highest capacity are the bodhisattvas who vow to liberate all beings from samsara. Aspiring bodhisattvas aim to achieve complete buddhahood because only a completely enlightened buddha has the capacity to liberate beings on a vast scale. Arhats and solitary buddhas can help others, but their help is limited to what they can accomplish in their lifespan. Because buddhas attain the non-abiding nirvana, which makes no distinction between samsara and nirvana, they are able to liberate beings through countless incarnations through countless lifetimes. Arhats attain nirvana, but it is a one sided nirvana. Mondane beings remain in samsara and so are not able to liberate others.
Persons of highest capacity are the bodhisattvas who vow to liberate all beings from samsara. Aspiring bodhisattvas aim to achieve complete buddhahood because only a completely enlightened buddha has the capacity to liberate beings on a vast scale. Arhats and solitary buddhas can help others, but their help is limited to what they can accomplish in their lifespan. Because buddhas attain the non-abiding nirvana, which makes no distinction between samsara and nirvana, they are able to liberate beings through countless incarnations through countless lifetimes. Arhats attain nirvana, but it is a one sided nirvana. Mondane beings remain in samsara and so are not able to liberate others.
ReplyDeleteThankyou Jinzang. Deep bow.
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