(3) The Path From Human to Buddhahood
1. To practice Buddhism is to learn from the Buddha
In discussing the Path from Human to Buddhahood, we must first recognise that we are human beings. As human beings who would like to practice Buddhism, what are the things that we should try to learn
How should we learn them
I will touch on some of the basic, important steps here, so that you may know the keys to attain Buddhahood.
We should try to understand the Buddha”s Teaching from two aspects. Firstly, the ultimate ambition and goal of practising Buddhism is to attain Buddhahood. Secondly, due to variations in background and upbringing, there are many different ways for an inpidual to practice. However, the ultimate aim of all practices is to attain Buddhahood. This resembles the roads that we are walking on, some walk on smooth and flat roads, some walk over roads full of bumps and pits, some follow the winding tracks, while others follow a straight and direct path. As long as we are clear on our final aim, then "All these roads will lead us to Rome". Now, I would like to discuss with everyone the Path from Human to Buddhahood. This is the direct and easy path. Not only is this path reliable, it is also easier in leading us to our goal.
To practice Buddhism is to learn from the Buddha and to take the Buddha as our example. We should follow the footsteps of the Buddha and learn the best methods of attaining Buddhahood from him. Thus, the real purpose of practising Buddhism should be:
1.1 To practice Buddhism for more than just worldly merits, and happiness in future lives.
Some people perform meritorious deeds such as almsgiving, hoping that the future life will be better than the present one. In Buddhism, we call this "practice with a mind to accrue”. The objective is to secure good merits and good karma for the future life, so as to be reborn in heaven. Although this may be expedient in Buddhism, it does not aim at attaining Buddhahood. A point to clarify here is that this does not mean that when one practises Buddhism one does not seek to improve one”s future life. Before one attains Buddhahood, one will of course hope to be reborn in a heaven or human realm, but this should not be the ultimate aim of following the Buddha. Everyone should aim at attaining Buddhahood. If we practise according to the Teaching of the Buddha, we should have the long term ambition of carrying out the Buddha”s advice diligently and accurately, our aim will then undoubtedly be achieved.
One may ask why is it not satisfactory to be reborn as a human or a heavenly being
This is because it is not perfect, nor ultimate. It is imperfect to be born in the human realm, because in this realm one”s wealth, life-span, status, and personal relationships are in constant change.
To be born in heaven is equally imperfect. Even beings in the realm of heaven experience constant changes in their lives, and will one day fall again from heaven. Those who believe in heavenly beings will certainly disagree with this point, but in actual fact, heavenly beings are not completely emancipated. Take the Mahabrahman, an Indian God, for instance. He claimed that all things, including human beings were created by him and were born from him. Let us ask, was there a heaven and earth before heaven and earth were created
Were there human beings before human beings were created
If not, then why should heaven, earth and human beings be created
The Brahman”s answer is; "For the sake of having fun." That is to say, all the creations are just a show of ego-freedom and self-satisfaction for the Mahabrahman. This is like a new but vacant house that gives one a feeling of hollowness and dissatisfaction. Thus it must be decorated by furniture and vases etc. Therefore, to say that …
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