All Sentient Beings are equal?
- LastLegend
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All Sentient Beings are equal?
Are all sentient beings equal? Based on what are they equal?
Is possible to discuss this?
Is possible to discuss this?
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Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
I'm not sure whether they are equal but if I understand the scriptures correctly, all sentient beings have the Buddha nature and all sentient beings hear the Buddha dharma.
- LastLegend
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Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
Then why don't I see that a chicken is equal to me?Kyosan wrote:I'm not sure whether they are equal but if I understand the scriptures correctly, all sentient beings have the Buddha nature and all sentient beings hear the Buddha dharma.
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Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
Your past habitual mental patterns involving delusion.LastLegend wrote:Then why don't I see that a chicken is equal to me?Kyosan wrote:I'm not sure whether they are equal but if I understand the scriptures correctly, all sentient beings have the Buddha nature and all sentient beings hear the Buddha dharma.
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Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
Just to be clear, do you mean distinction of forms? That I am a this and that is a chicken?tomamundsen wrote:Your past habitual mental patterns involving delusion.LastLegend wrote:Then why don't I see that a chicken is equal to me?Kyosan wrote:I'm not sure whether they are equal but if I understand the scriptures correctly, all sentient beings have the Buddha nature and all sentient beings hear the Buddha dharma.
Last edited by LastLegend on Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
I think they're equal in the sense that they have Buddha nature, however,LastLegend wrote:Are all sentient beings equal? Based on what are they equal?
All sentient beings certainly don't hear the Buddha dharma.Kyosan wrote: and all sentient beings hear the Buddha dharma.
Because a chicken is a chicken and a human is a human. Well at least I imagine you're a human. If not, my apologies.LastLegend wrote:Then why don't I see that a chicken is equal to me?
Although many individuals in this age appear to be merely indulging their worldly desires, one does not have the capacity to judge them, so it is best to train in pure vision.
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- LastLegend
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Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
Good goodPero wrote: Because a chicken is a chicken and a human is a human. Well at least I imagine you're a human. If not, my apologies.
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Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
Keep this in mind..
I believe it is worse karma to kill a human than to kill a fly... This would suggest that relatively all beings aren't equal..
I believe it is worse karma to kill a human than to kill a fly... This would suggest that relatively all beings aren't equal..
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Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
Nah, I meant that both you and the chicken possess buddha nature. Of course you are what you are, and the chicken is what it is. So, you're not equal in that sense.LastLegend wrote: Just to be clear, do you mean distinction of forms? That I am a this and that is a chicken?
And yes, chickens abide in the animal realm which is considered to be a lower realm, because it is not conducive to liberation. But still, the chicken possesses buddha nature just like you.
Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
Your style of opening threads is very terse.LastLegend wrote:Are all sentient beings equal? Based on what are they equal?
Is possible to discuss this?
http://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?f=77&t=3599" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;LastLegend wrote:What is meditation?
Please discuss
http://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?f=77&t=3597" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;LastLegend wrote:How do you understand Buddha Nature/Mind in relation to matter?
Please share in your own understanding so that others and I can learn from you.
Kind regards
- Adamantine
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Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
let's put it this way: you may have been a chicken in your last life. if not your last one, certainly at some point down the line. and you may be a chicken again. what distinguishes the human incarnation from other embodiments is that there are many advantages and positive attributes to being human: you are not purely experiencing unbearable suffering alone as a hell being would; you are not purely experiencing various degrees of unsatiated craving as a hungry ghost would; you are not mainly at the whims of your instincts and focused on basic survival alone as an animal
would. Similarly, you are probably not lulled into indulgence in pure pleasure or power as god realm beings would be. Of course, the human experience has all the negative habitual patterns and emotions that lead to these other states-- so the human experience may at times mirror these conditions to an extent. But as a human we have the perfect balance between suffering and pleasure-- not too much of either, so we are motivated to desire release from suffering-- nirvana or enlightenment -- and have the freedom and time to pursue a path towards that end. Because there is a greater potential to connect with Dharma or to reach liberation in a human embodiment, it is considered a more precious incarnation then the others. It is the fruit of very powerful postive karmic accumulation to be reborn as a human. Otherwise, there is no difference in the mindstreams among the various beings in the different realms. We ourselves have incarnated as many if not all of them over the course of countless aeons. That is why it is worse to kill a human, and why we need to make use of this precious opportunity while we can.
would. Similarly, you are probably not lulled into indulgence in pure pleasure or power as god realm beings would be. Of course, the human experience has all the negative habitual patterns and emotions that lead to these other states-- so the human experience may at times mirror these conditions to an extent. But as a human we have the perfect balance between suffering and pleasure-- not too much of either, so we are motivated to desire release from suffering-- nirvana or enlightenment -- and have the freedom and time to pursue a path towards that end. Because there is a greater potential to connect with Dharma or to reach liberation in a human embodiment, it is considered a more precious incarnation then the others. It is the fruit of very powerful postive karmic accumulation to be reborn as a human. Otherwise, there is no difference in the mindstreams among the various beings in the different realms. We ourselves have incarnated as many if not all of them over the course of countless aeons. That is why it is worse to kill a human, and why we need to make use of this precious opportunity while we can.
Contentment is the ultimate wealth;
Detachment is the final happiness. ~Sri Saraha
Detachment is the final happiness. ~Sri Saraha
- LastLegend
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Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
Yes sir...difference of karma leading to manifestation of different forms-e.g., a chicken versus a human.tamdrin wrote:Keep this in mind..
I believe it is worse karma to kill a human than to kill a fly... This would suggest that relatively all beings aren't equal..
Yes sir...you are right.Adamantine wrote:let's put it this way: you may have been a chicken in your last life. if not your last one, certainly at some point down the line. and you may be a chicken again. what distinguishes the human incarnation from other embodiments is that there are many advantages and positive attributes to being human: you are not purely experiencing unbearable suffering alone as a hell being would; you are not purely experiencing various degrees of unsatiated craving as a hungry ghost would; you are not mainly at the whims of your instincts and focused on basic survival alone as an animal
would. Similarly, you are probably not lulled into indulgence in pure pleasure or power as god realm beings would be. Of course, the human experience has all the negative habitual patterns and emotions that lead to these other states-- so the human experience may at times mirror these conditions to an extent. But as a human we have the perfect balance between suffering and pleasure-- not too much of either, so we are motivated to desire release from suffering-- nirvana or enlightenment -- and have the freedom and time to pursue a path towards that end. Because there is a greater potential to connect with Dharma or to reach liberation in a human embodiment, it is considered a more precious incarnation then the others. It is the fruit of very powerful postive karmic accumulation to be reborn as a human. Otherwise, there is no difference in the mindstreams among the various beings in the different realms. We ourselves have incarnated as many if not all of them over the course of countless aeons. That is why it is worse to kill a human, and why we need to make use of this precious opportunity while we can.
So killing an Arhat carries different karma from killing a human. Then would you agree that the difference here is based on cultivation of Mind? In other words, a human has more potentials than an animal. An Arhat has more potentials than a human.
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Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
All have the same potential because all have Buddha Nature, but they do not all possess the same capacity/capability to fulfil this potential. So ultimately, or at the ultimate level, they are all the equal but at the relative level, due to differences in the capabilities they currently possess, they are different (or not equal).
Last edited by Grigoris on Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"My religion is not deceiving myself."
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
- Adamantine
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Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
Greg already answered this well. . I don't have anything to add. . . except the capabilities are impermanent, results of the force of positive karma, but they will not last. So you could say, 'cultivation of Mind', but don't reify it. Even Bodhisattvas on the Bhumis, until they attain the 8th Bhumi can still fall-- can still backslide. A chicken may be a human next life, and may become a great practitioner, while a Bodhisattva could get caught again in patterns of grasping and fall to a lower rebirth. Don't solidify notions of difference between the appearances of the various beings-- the forms are liquid, changing, in flux. The potential for Buddhahood is always there.LastLegend wrote: So killing an Arhat carries different karma from killing a human. Then would you agree that the difference here is based on cultivation of Mind? In other words, a human has more potentials than an animal. An Arhat has more potentials than a human.
Contentment is the ultimate wealth;
Detachment is the final happiness. ~Sri Saraha
Detachment is the final happiness. ~Sri Saraha
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Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
Good workgregkavarnos wrote:All have the same potential because all have Buddha Nature, but they do not all possess the same capacity/capability to fulfil this potential. So ultimately, or at the ultimate level, they are all the equal but at the relative level, due to differences in the capabilities they currently possess, they are different (or not equal).
Good workAdamantine wrote:Greg already answered this well. . I don't have anything to add. . . except the capabilities are impermanent, results of the force of positive karma, but they will not last. So you could say, 'cultivation of Mind', but don't reify it. Even Bodhisattvas on the Bhumis, until they attain the 8th Bhumi can still fall-- can still backslide. A chicken may be a human next life, and may become a great practitioner, while a Bodhisattva could get caught again in patterns of grasping and fall to a lower rebirth. Don't solidify notions of difference between the appearances of the various beings-- the forms are liquid, changing, in flux. The potential for Buddhahood is always there.LastLegend wrote: So killing an Arhat carries different karma from killing a human. Then would you agree that the difference here is based on cultivation of Mind? In other words, a human has more potentials than an animal. An Arhat has more potentials than a human.
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Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
Why would it be worse to kill a fly?tamdrin wrote:Keep this in mind..
I believe it is worse karma to kill a human than to kill a fly... This would suggest that relatively all beings aren't equal..
Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
All sentient beings are equal in their being deluded and ignorant. That is why they perceive each other as inferior or superior.
Buddhas perceive all sentient beings as equal even to a Buddha, insofar as they possess the virtuous qualities for the Tathāgata. It is merely due to their habit of conceptualization and grasping that deluded sentient beings are ignorant of this and create all sorts of dualities and unnecessary suffering and difficulty.
Buddhas perceive all sentient beings as equal even to a Buddha, insofar as they possess the virtuous qualities for the Tathāgata. It is merely due to their habit of conceptualization and grasping that deluded sentient beings are ignorant of this and create all sorts of dualities and unnecessary suffering and difficulty.
nopalabhyate...
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Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
Very wellDexing wrote:All sentient beings are equal in their being deluded and ignorant. That is why they perceive each other as inferior or superior.
Buddhas perceive all sentient beings as equal even to a Buddha, insofar as they possess the virtuous qualities for the Tathāgata. It is merely due to their habit of conceptualization and grasping that deluded sentient beings are ignorant of this and create all sorts of dualities and unnecessary suffering and difficulty.
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Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
If you mean "why would it be worse than to kill a fly, I would say that a human has the possibility of achieving buddhahood in this very lifetime. Whereas the fly will have to be reborn to achieve that.KwanSeum wrote:Why would it be worse to kill a fly?tamdrin wrote:Keep this in mind..
I believe it is worse karma to kill a human than to kill a fly... This would suggest that relatively all beings aren't equal..
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Re: All Sentient Beings are equal?
Excellent!tomamundsen wrote:If you mean "why would it be worse than to kill a fly, I would say that a human has the possibility of achieving buddhahood in this very lifetime. Whereas the fly will have to be reborn to achieve that.KwanSeum wrote:Why would it be worse to kill a fly?tamdrin wrote:Keep this in mind..
I believe it is worse karma to kill a human than to kill a fly... This would suggest that relatively all beings aren't equal..
It’s eye blinking.