Theos-Talk Archives (October 2004 Message tt00365)

Oct 21 2004

Dear Z:

May I break in here?

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RE : BODHISATTVA


BODHISATTVA (Sk). Lit., “he, whose essence (sattva) has become intelligence
(bodhi)”; those who need but one more incarnation to become perfect Buddhas,
i.e., to be entitled to Nirvâna. This, as applied to Manushi (terrestrial)
Buddhas. In the metaphysical sense, Bodhisattva is a title given to the sons
of the celestial Dhyâni Buddhas." Glos 59


DHYANI BODHISATTVAS (Sk.). In Buddhism, the five sons of the Dhyani-Buddhas.
They have a mystic meaning in Esoteric Philosophy.
 
DHYANI BUDDHAS (Sk.). They “of the Merciful Heart”; worshipped especially in
Nepaul. These have again a secret meaning." Glos 101


MANUSHI OR MANUSHI BUDDHAS (Sk.). Human Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, or incarnated
Dhyan Chohans." Glos 206


DHYAN CHOHANS (Sk). Lit., “The Lords of Light”. The highest gods, answering
to the Roman Catholic Archangels. The divine Intelligences charged with the
supervision of Kosmos." Glos 101


[from Voice, p. 78: --

"Yea; on the Arya Path thou art no more Srotapatti, thou art a Bodhisattva.
(1) The stream is cross'd. 'Tis true thou hast a right to Dharmakaya
vesture; but Sambogakaya is greater than a Nirvanee, and greater still is a
Nirmanakaya—the Buddha of Compassion. (2)

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Footnotes

(1) A BODHISATTVA is, in the hierarchy, less than a "perfect Buddha." In the
exoteric parlance these two are very much confused. Yet the innate and right
popular perception, owing to that self-sacrifice, has placed a Bodhisattva
higher in its reverence than a Buddha.

(2) This same popular reverence calls "Buddhas of Compassion" those
BODHISATTVAS who, having reached the rank of an Arhat (i.e., having
completed the fourth or seventh Path), refuse to pass into the Nirvanic
state or "don the Dharmakaya robe and cross to the other shore," as it would
then become beyond their power to assist men even so little as Karma
permits. They prefer to remain invisibly (in Spirit, so to speak) in the
world, and contribute toward man's salvation by influencing them to follow
the Good Law, i.e., lead them on the Path of Righteousness. It is part of
the exoteric Northern Buddhism to honour all such great characters as
Saints, and to offer even prayers to them, ...on the other hand, the
esoteric teachings countenance no such thing. 

There is a great difference between the two teachings. The exoteric layman
hardly knows the real meaning of the word Nirmanakaya—hence the confusion
and inadequate explanations of the Orientalists.... The real teaching is,
however, this:

The three Buddhic bodies or forms are styled

1. Nirmanakaya.

2. Sambhogakaya.

3. Dharmakaya.

The first is that ethereal form which one would assume when leaving his
physical he would appear in his astral body—having in addition all the
knowledge of an Adept. 

The BODHISATTVA develops it in himself as he proceeds on the Path. Having
reached the goal and refused its fruition, he remains on Earth, as an Adept;
and when he dies, instead of going into Nirvana, he remains in that glorious
body he has woven for himself, invisible to uninitiated mankind, to watch
over and protect it.

SAMBHOGAKAYA is the same, but with the additional lustre of "three
perfections," one of which is entire obliteration of all earthly concerns.

The DHARMAKAYA body is that of a complete Buddha, i.e., no body at all, but
an ideal breath: Consciousness merged in the Universal Consciousness, or
Soul devoid of every attribute. Once a Dharmakaya, an Adept or Buddha leaves
behind every possible relation with, or thought for this earth. Thus, to be
enabled to help humanity, an Adept who has won the right to Nirvana,
"renounces the Dharmakaya body" in mystic parlance; keeps, of the
Sambhogakaya, only the great and complete knowledge, and remains in his
Nirmanakaya body. The Esoteric School teaches that Gautama Buddha with
several of his Arhats is such a Nirmanakaya, higher than whom, on account of
the great renunciation and sacrifice to mankind there is none known. Voice
78
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ADEPT GRADING

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Q.:	Can GRADES be DISTINGUISHED among the ADEPTS


Q.: In just the same way as a polished diamond shows the work which
gives it value and brilliancy, so the man who has gone through probation and
teaching under the Adepts carries upon his person the ineffaceable marks.

To the ordinary eye untrained in this department, no such Indications are
visible; but those who can see describe them as being quite prominent and
wholly beyond the control of the bearer. For this reason that one who has
progressed, say, three steps along the way, will have three marks, and it is
useless to pretend that his rank is a step higher, for, if it were, then the
fourth mark would be there, since it grows with the being's development.

Now, as these signatures cannot be imitated or forged, the whole
Inner fraternity has no need for concealment of signs. No one can
commit a fraud upon or extract from them the secrets of higher degrees by
having obtained signs and pass-words out of a book or in return
for the payment of fees, and none can procure the conferring of any
advancement until the whole nature of the man exactly corresponds
to the desired point of development.

In two ways the difference between the Adept fraternity and
Worldly secret societies can be seen -- in their treatment of nations and
Of their own direct special disciples.

Nothing is forced or depends upon favor. Everything is arranged
In accordance with the best interests of a nation, having in view
The cyclic influences at any time prevailing, and never before the
Proper time. When they desire to destroy the chains forged by dogmatism,
They do not make the error of suddenly appearing before the astonished
eyes of the people; for they know well that such a course would only
alter the dogmatic belief in one set of ideas to a senseless and
equally dogmatic adherence to the Adepts as gods, or else create in the
minds of many the surety that the devil was present."
[Culled from ECHOES FROM THE ORIENT]



Dallas
 
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-----Original Message-----
From: Zakk 
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 10:53 AM
To: 
Subject: Re: Liberation

Jerry,

I am not familar with the term bodhisattva. 


Could you give a definition so that I may understand what you are stating.
I think I am the most ignorant individual on the lists. I do not
know terms due to not studying any material or "way" that
has been provided by the many written sources availible.

Thank you for your patience.