Buddhism 12 mark Questions

Page 1

"It is better to be a Bodhisattva than an Arhat."

For:

Help others to reach enlightenment - demonstrating karuna

Following the example of the Buddha - he helped others after his enlightenment

Builds up good kamma by helping others

Against:

Kamma doesn't matter for Arhats as you have reached enlightenment and so will reach nirvana anyway

The goal of Buddhist life is to reach enlightenment and to perfect your own character - not to help others reach enlightenment

It is better to improve the quality of other people's lives by being a perfected being than to try to get them to reach enlightenment if they do not see Buddhism as the way

Conclusion:

In conclusion, a true 'perfected being' in Buddhism can only be one that demonstrates karuna by helping others to achieve enlightenment. Bodhisattvas are better than Arhats because they have improved their character as well as their mind. Furthermore, those who think that kamma does not matter if you are enlightened as you will reach nirvana regardless have not grasped the full meaning of life and are perhaps, therefore, not truly enlightened.

Page 2

"For Buddhists, 'impermanence is the most important of the Three Marks of Existence'."

For:

Anicca causes dukkha and anatta

Affects everybody and causes craving (2nd NT) which is the root of all suffering

Links to paticca samupadda

Against:

All the Three Marks of Existence affect everybody

The effects of dukkha are perhaps the most imminent in life

Universally acknowledged and therefore less important

Conclusion:

In conclusion, I find that anicca, or impermanence, is the most important mark because it is the cause of the other marks of existence and therefore at the root of all life. It may be the most acknowledged because it is the most pertinent and important, and therefore people are most aware of it.

Page 3

"The enlightenment of the Buddha was the most important event in his life."

For:

Led to him understanding the reality of nature

Purpose of leaving his life of luxury

All his teachings came from this moment

Against:

Would never have reached enlightenment if not for 4 sights

Ascetic lead him to realise that the Middle Way was the best path - one of most important Buddhist teachings

Conclusion

Overall, I think that Buddha's enlightenment was the most important event in his life, as his life of luxury and, later, ascetism lead up to this moment. The Buddha's enlightenment was the culmination of his efforts throughout life and was his goal ever since he saw the 4 sights and is also the goal of Buddhists. This suggests that it was the most important event in his life.