Page 19 - EH57

FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 17

a reformist of divinity; Śākyamuni different from Arahats—is that sacrifice themselves for benefiting
Buddha was the reformist who a Bodhisattva’s aim is to fulfill others, to devote themselves to
had realized the unsurpassed the perfections of Buddhahood Buddhism, and to be a professional
noble human quality and led in order to become a Buddha. member in protecting the Dharma
the revolution and innovation of Therefore, a Bodhisattva’s practice and preserving Buddhism. I want
Indian Culture. During the late is shown through their concern to advice the new generation of
period of development, Buddhism and engagement to the worldly Malaysian Buddhist youths to
retrogressed from the Buddha activities, especially their actions of devote themselves wholeheartedly
nature to divinity, becoming loving-kindness and compassion. to Buddhism, and be a professional
exaggerated and delusive, causing Not being separated from the world, one preserving the Dharma and
adverse effects. This is one of the not abandoning sentient beings, protecting Buddhism. Try every
causes for the decline of Buddhism and fearless of liberating beings means to turn Buddhist service into
in India. Of course, there are are the supportive conditions to your own livelihood. You need to
many other causes and conditions their actions. On the other hand, strive with your full strength and be
behind it. To have a clear and Arahats are inspired by the spirit a pioneer if you are truly concerned
comprehensive understanding, one of renunciation, and their practice about the future of Buddhism. Your
needs to put effort into researching aims at self-liberation. Each of them effort and sincere affection has
this issue through reading books on has his strong points. much more positive effect on the
Buddhism. prosperity of Buddhism than those
Today we have many fake who are hypocritical.
In the Theravāda tradition, the teachers of Buddhism who are
goal is to become arahats while cult leaders. How do we recognize Today is an open world; openness
in the Mahāyāna tradition, the these fake Buddhist teachers and means fair competition with
goal is to become Bodhisattvas fake Buddhist teachings? comprehensive and holistic strategy
while arahats are even ridiculed and planning. This includes plans
in some Mahāyāna sutras. How Nowadays, there are phenomena for gathering resources, developing
do we explain this discrepancy to where fake Buddhists take our potential, and training talented
fellow Buddhists? advantage of Buddhism for earning people. An important factor for

profits through absurd and delusive a competitor is indomitable will
There are some common grounds activities. The belief in bogus power and conviction that are
and some differences between teachers and practice is actually a rooted in a strong foundation of
Arahats and Buddhas. Both Arahats phenomenon where certain people Dharma understanding. This needs
and Buddhas aim to pursue the who like to be a Buddhist leader to be built up and strengthened
perfection of Nirvāṇa. They differ or those who have the leadership through continuous learning,
in that: a Buddha’s wisdom is much quality keep creating opportunities practicing, training, and tempering
wider than an Arahat’s; Buddhas to show themselves off, and to through hardships. Only if we are
are sharper in self-awakening portray themselves as influential able to continuously develop and
and self-discipline, and more Buddhist leaders through influence. strengthen ourselves through
spontaneous in being of benefit active learning, practicing and
to others than Arahats; and, the The world nowadays is an open experiencing, are we capable of
Buddha’s loving-kindness and world. Buddhists should not limit putting our energy on other aspects
compassion is deeper and broader their options to confrontation instead of confrontation. I want to
than an Arahat’s. (with the fake Buddhists). The emphasize that. We need to have
important point is, we need more a holistic strategy, a foresighted
A unique characteristic of Buddhists who have right view, mission, and a team in order to be
Bodhisattvas—which is right faith, and sense of justice to competitive. We need to firmly hold