0 votes
by (2.0k points)
As people are much informed this days, there is often this doubt. If one looks into the texts and tradition, can such "now you are ready for it" be found, and if, in how far?

Does 'serving' lay people actually grow to a obstacle for them in regard to the higher life by being taught 'it's not needed, hard, and better come to the center'?

1 Answer

0 votes
by (260 points)
I’m not sure about original texts, but in the Bodhicharyavatara, Shantideva goes into the balancing of service action and goodwill with attentiveness to ones own mind. Whether you buy into the existence of other bodhisattva or no, this text can be very useful. It is also said (at least in this text, in chapter 4 I think) that a cautious, step-by-step road to taking the vow - really any vow - is better than taking it for mere namesake, blind to the nature of what one binds oneself to. The remedy is in attentiveness, being cognizant of one’s current state, even if that state contains doubt, and pressing on.
by (2.0k points)
Very destructive literature and only expressions of a very conceitful person, this 'Bodhisatva', good householder. Better to listen to the teacher and his well gone disciples. Btw. there are training rules rather then vows, or conducts which one takes on through seeing, understanding. And it's also adviced to do all efforts to abound what ever unskilful 'state'. Understanding is the base of the path. Knowing ending, it's fruit.
by (260 points)
Thank you, Samana. I think we are both getting at the same thing regarding the question at hand. Like I said, whether you agree with existence of “bodhisattva” or no, the message is still one that could be elucidated just the same without the “destructive” poetry. Nothing is substitute for Dharma; one can only grasp at its meaning anyhow, like an image of an image.
by (2.0k points)
There are useful images (kammatthanas, nimittas, Saññas), and not useful, for liberation, good Isouza. For wandering on, there are countless according ones preferences.
by (260 points)
Well said, Samana. I have more learning to do. No further comment from my end. :)
by (2.0k points)
Better then to seek isolated secluions, good Isouza, would be not worry much but seek fast out of a suitable Community of recluses. Currently there are doors and the younger, the better. It's not useful to want to be a doctor first before attending the school. Sure it's very hard to do for modern/western minded woman. But the youth and Upanissaya could excel out grave wrong understanding.
by (2.1k points)
Shantidevas work is Mahayana and this website is specifically for Hinayana/Theravada teachings.
I too originally come from a Mahayana perspective and from Tibetan Buddhism where  Shantidevas work is a large part of that but other than for question purposes related to trying to ascertain if what one Mahayana teacher explains is the Actual Buddhas teaching from the Tipitika, it is not wise for us and it is not really appropriate to discuss such things or advocate such things here.
Mixing the traditions on a dedicated forum like this leads to confusion.

Stack exchange is freely available for all traditions.
by (260 points)
Very true, remyla. Now I know. I do not wish to speak in ignorance or to offend. Thank you.
My positing of the text was out of place; inasmuch, the question Samana posed here seemed shaped by something I wrote in that other post, about waiting to ordain. I don’t have a “good” answer, only one that is “personal” or self-found, and thus a bit misguided, but again, I still have more learning to do! Thank you both for your patience with me.
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