Namaste taijasi,
thank you for the post.
taijasi said:
Yes, a good example of a different point of view from that of many Buddhists is the esoteric teaching that Maitreya is currently the Bodhisattva (a `Bodhisattva' being something decidedly Buddhist), and will only become a Full Buddha in the future.
this isn't a different point of view, this is the teaching itself.
of course, thinking in such terms is somewhat problematic since there is no "Maitreya" which is existing. that said, we are constrained by conventional thought patterns for a great deal of our discourse. such is the nature of language, i suppose.
This notion is in line with Northern Buddhism of old Tibet
? is there a "new" Tibet somewhere?
and surrounding regions, and also with an esoteric Buddhism, and it requires the acceptance of progressive spiritual evolution, occurring by degrees and not leaps & bounds.
that is what the Suttas indicate is the method.
While many (most?) Buddhists believe that "enlightenment can be accomplished within a single lifetime" (with some notable exceptions), there are also many Buddhists who think it more reasonable to strive for
mileposts along the way ... since the difference between utter ignorance and
Infinite Wisdom is, ummm, rather significant indeed!
the Sudden Enlightenment schools are typical of the Mahayana, especially the Ch'an and T'ien T'ai schools point of view, though it is clear that this sudden awakening comes about as a result of proper causes and conditions which are indicative of a beings previous practice of the Dharma.
It is my finding and belief that one progresses on the path of enlightenment from arhatship toward Bodhisattvahood, thence from Bodhisattvahood to Full Buddhahood.
that is quite excellent being as how that is what is taught by Buddha Shakyamuni. the various schools tend to be using Upaya in their orientation and practice methodologies which is, often, why we find different Suttas/Sutras being emphaisized and so forth.
In keeping with this tradition (and it is tradition, it is a notion present with lamaism,
what is lamaism? do you mean Vajrayana Buddhism?
Maitreya Buddha is not actually a Buddha in His present spiritual status. Nor has His role as Maitreya Bodhisattva yet been fulfilled.
that is correct. Buddha Shakyamuni mentions this rather explicity and, further, mentions that whilst Maitreya is in the Tustia heaven, he is practicing the Bodhisattva Vow and, as a result of such practice, will take rebirth as a Buddha in this world system.
For proper understanding of that role, one must needs consult the various religious teachings around the world
this doesn't follow. why would adharmic traditions have any applicability in understanding the Dharma?
Though differing in certain particulars, each of these ideas parallels the notion of the Bodhisattva as found in Buddhism, with a direct correspondence when it comes to the presently-expected Christ or Avatar.
not really, taijasi. with a belief in an eternal soul or self, such teachings are well outside the remit of Buddha Dharma.
Since this is not the case, I trust that
Dorjesempa Himself would have no objection ... much less a fellow bhikku.
thank you for the kind words, i am not a bhikku, just a lay person, and i didn't realize that you were.
gassho.
metta,
~v