The Importance of Contributing Buddha Images : หน้า 202/207
The Warm Hearted Family : หน้า 202/207 Understanding the significance of donating Buddha images for spiritual merit and the path of the Bodhisatta towards enlightenment.
This text emphasizes the significance of donating Buddha images as a means to contribute to spiritual merit. It discusses the historical context of such contributions, highlighting how ancestors showed gratitude towards the Buddha through donations. It explains the role of Bodhisattas in attaining Buddhahood, detailing their journey and the immense dedication required for this spiritual path. The Niyata-Bodhisatta is introduced, illustrating the confirmed path to enlightenment, which involves not only spiritual perfections but also enduring the cycle of existence for an immense duration. The analogy used by the Lord Buddha underscores the rarity and difficulty of fully devoting oneself to enlightenment. Ultimately, the significance of following Buddha's teachings and diligently practicing Dhamma for attaining Nibbana is emphasized, recognizing the fortune of those who achieve enlightenment during the Buddha's life.
หัวข้อประเด็น
- The significance of donating Buddha images - Historical context of merit in Buddhism - Role of Bodhisattas in attaining Buddhahood - Niyata-Bodhisatta and the path of enlightenment - Importance of following Dhamma teachings
ข้อความต้นฉบับในหน้า
examine this so that we will not miss the opportunity to do so.
We should clearly understand the importance of contributing
a Buddha image so that we do not obstruct our grandparents
when they wish to perform such great merit. I would like to
take this opportunity to share with you the benefits that result
from such an act of merit.
Our country's ancestors tended to donate Buddha images
because they venerated the Lord Buddha's great compassion
towards all beings. This would be a way of showing their
gratitude towards Him.
In Buddhist history, a person who is determined to
become a Buddha (an Enlightened being) in the future, to free
people from suffering, exists rarely in this world. This type of
person is called a Bodhisatta."
Bodhisattas who devoted their lives to spiritual perfections
and successfully eradicated their defilements were an
extremely rare occurrence. Some achieved their goals, and
some gave up along the way.
In order to attain Buddhahood, a Bodhisatta must devote
his life to virtue. In one of his lifetimes, he must meet a Buddha
who would assure him of his future Buddhahood and inform
him of the length of time required to attain enlightenment as a
Buddha.
The Bodhisatta, who receives confirmation of his future
Buddhahood by a Buddha, is called Niyata-Bodhisatta, meaning
a person who will definitely attain enlightenment and become
a Buddha in the future. After being informed by a Buddha, a
Niyata-Bodhisatta must continue to pursue perfections for at
least another four Asankheyya (infinite time) and 100,000
kappa (the cycle of birth and death of the world). This means
he must continue in the cycle of existence for an immeasurable
amount of time in order to attain Buddhahood. As he
approaches this feat, the obstacles become more difficult,
requiring the devotion of his entire being to eradicate his
impurities and increase his divinity. Since this is extremely
difficult, the Lord Buddha once gave the following analogy:
The number of times He donated His eyes to help others in
order to become enlightened is greater than all the stars in
the sky.
To devote one's entire being towards reaching
enlightenment is rare because of this lengthy process. After
becoming enlightened, He will spend the rest of his days
spreading His knowledge of the truth (Dhamma) to everyone.
Those who follow His teachings and practice Dhamma
diligently can attain enlightenment and reach Nibbana. Thus,
the people who are born during the Buddha's life and
successfully attain enlightenment are highly fortunate.
14
Candidate for Buddhahood
The Warm Hearted Family 402
The Body of Enlighten
The Warm Hearted Family
403
Contributing Buddha Image
The Body of Enlighten