Explain the logic behind the ideal of compassion in the Mahayana Essay

Explain the logic behind the ideal of compassion in the Mahayana perspective - Essay Example Bodhisattvas or the enlightened beings are characterized by a number of features that distinguish them from the arhants (Humboldt, n.d.). The bodhisattva path lays emphasis on karuna (compassion). The Mahayana tradition explains that arhant is a noble path as it stresses that every being should concentrated on the spiritual achievement of one’s self but in doing this one does not embrace the suffering of others. Buddha intended that Buddhism should be used as a vehicle to liberate all sentient beings from sufferings. This is possible through Mahayana which believes that compassion and compassionate love for all beings makes one help others to attain the same liberation. The basic doctrine of Mahayana centers around the tenet that eternal Buddha is present but hidden in all sentient beings and it is possible to understand this presence through the process of liberation from sufferings. Hence it focuses on the bodhisattva path and emphasizes that this liberation has to be for all beings and not for the self alone (Kaplan, 1998). To help all beings liberate from sufferings requires compassion for all beings. The goal of Mahayana is not to remain an arhant but to attain buddhahood. Thus to save all sentient beings from samsara is the basic concept on which Mahayana is based. Various definitions of compassion can be found. For instance, karuna in Pali is related to our concern for others. It is more than an attitude of mind. It is anukampa and daya. Compassion is essential for a just and a harmonious society. It is essential towards the path of wisdom; it is an action towards liberation by those who have become enlightened and by those who sincerely follow the path towards attaining it. When others suffer it makes the heart of good people tremble (kampa) and this is compassion (Jenkins, 2000). Effort to demolish others’ suffering is karuna. Mahayana emphasizes that one should postpone one’s liberation so

A Simple Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

A Simple Plan - Essay Example At the beginning of the story, Hank Mitchel in the company of his brother Jacob and Jacob’s friend called Lou are in Jacob’s truck. â€Å"†¦, Howdy, Hank," he said, grinning. Jacob smiled at me from behind the wheel. His dog, a big, overgrown mutt, mostly German shepherd, but with some Labrador thrown in on top, was in the back. It was a male dog, but Jacob had named him Mary Beth, after a girl hed dated in high school, his first and only girlfriend. He referred to him as a "she," too, as if the dogs name had blinded him to his gender. I climbed in, Lou pulled himself up behind me, and we backed our way down my driveway to the street.† (p. 4). A fox crosses their path, and the three of them decide to chase after it. The fox leads them to discovering a plane that had crashed into the woods. Upon scrutinizing and checking the plane, they find a dead pilot and a bag of money. The three of them decide to keep the money and share it later when there could be no m ore talk of it. The three men discovered the money together and in the event that they were to share the cash; then they should have done so in equal proportions. What followed indicated that Hank was a greedy man, especially for money First, Hank feels that the money would not be safe if they kept the whole sum. Consequently, his wife advises him to take some of the money back to the plane. They hope that that would help them to waylay suspicion. While back in the woods, Hank kills a Mr. Pederson along selfish lines. He knew within him that Mr. Pederson would spill the secret to the public. Hank wanted to escape liability of having killed a person, so he sets up Lou by blackmailing him using the money. After Lou discovers Hank’s intention, he becomes agitated and engages in fuss with him prompting Jacob to kill Lou. â€Å"†¦He didnt finish his sentence. There was an explosion behind me, a flash of blue light followed instantly by a sense of movement over my left shoulder. I