Dhamma: Human Destiny (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

Human Destiny: The Arhat & the Bodhisattva

What is Human Destiny?

• In Buddhism, human destiny is about which path a Buddhist will take to achieve enlightenment and understand the Buddha's Dhamma

• Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism have different ideas about the ideal human destiny for a Buddhist:

  • A Theravada Buddhist aims to become an Arhat by following the Eightfold Path

  • A Mahayana Buddhist aims to become a Boddhisattva by developing the Six Perfections

Becoming an Arhat

An Arhat is a “perfected person” who has overcome the main sources of suffering, or Three Poisons (greed, hatred and ignorance)

• When someone becomes an arhat they have achieved Nibbana:

  • This means that they are free from the cycle of Samsara and are no longer reborn when they die

• This goal is achieved by taking the Eightfold Path and concentrating on wisdom, morality and Meditation

• Becoming an arhat is the goal of a Theravada Buddhist

 Becoming a Bodhisattva

• A Boddhisattva is also an enlightened being but sees their own enlightenment as being bound up with the enlightenment of all beings

• After they achieve enlightenment, Boddhisattvas choose to remain in the cycle of samsara:

  • They do so out of compassion, to help others achieve enlightenment

• Boddhisattvas vow to show compassion for the life of all Sentient They follow the Buddha’s teachings:

• A person becomes a Boddhisattva by practising the six perfections

The Six Perfections

• Mahayana Buddhists believe that there are both earthly and Transcendent Boddhisattvas:

  • Earthly Boddhisattvas continue to be reborn into the world to help others achieve enlightenment

  • Transcendent Boddhisattvas are spiritual beings beyond time and space who may appear in some form in the world, to help others and lead them towards enlightenment

• Becoming a Boddhisattva is the ideal of a Mahayana Buddhist

Human Destiny: Buddhahood and the Pure Land

Amitabha Buddha and the Pure Land

• Pure Land Buddhism is a tradition within Mahayana Buddhism and one of the main forms of Buddhism in Japan today

• It is based on faith in Amitabha Buddha and his Pure Land, or paradise:

  • It is called Sukhavati, which means “land of bliss”

• Amitabha Buddha was a king who gave up his throne to become a monk

  • He created this paradise when he became enlightened

  • All Pure Land Buddhists hope to be reborn into this world

  • This is because it is easier to achieve enlightenment here

Features of the Pure Land

Amitabha Buddha in the Pure Land

Amitabha Buddha in the Pure Land, which is described as “rich in a great variety of flowers and fruits, adorned with jewel trees, which are frequented by flocks of birds with sweet voices” – The Larger Sukhavativyuha Sutra

How to Reach the Pure Land

• T’an-luan (the founder of Pure Land Buddhism in China) recommended five types of religious practice to reach the Pure Land:

  • Recite scriptures

  • Meditate on Amitabha and his paradise

  • Worship Amitabha

  • Chant the name of Amitabha

  • Make praises and offerings to Amitabha

• The most important of these is chanting the name of Amitabha

• If Buddhists have faith in Amitabha Buddha and follow these actions, Amitabha will help them to achieve enlightenment and reach the Pure Land