Talk:Buddhahood

Maitreya

In what sense is he the next Buddha for Mahayana? Tibetans regard Nagarjuna as a Buddha, Nyingmas probably Padmasambhava, Soka Gakkai Nichiren, & most schools recognize the possibility of Buddhahood in this life. Peter jackson 10:53, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

I'm not sure. Perhaps this is an issue of confusion between different types of Buddha, i.e. samyaksambuddhas vs. fully enlightened śravaka arhats? Or, it could be an issue of people being able to hold multiple mutually exclusive opinions concurrently.—Nat Krause^{(Talk!·What have I done?)} 02:13, 21 October 2007 (UTC)

As far as I know, Maitreya will come when all the teachings of the Buddha have been forgotten, so Maitreya will kind of teach Buddhism 'anew' in his era. In case someone else like Nagarjuna, Milarepa or Tsongkhapa becomes a Buddha in this era, he obviously cannot teach Buddhism 'anew', as it still exists. I suppose there is an official Sanskrit term of this (it may be something like 'wheel-turning Buddha'), but as far as I know, we talk of all of these as samyaksambuddhas, as pratyekabuddhas or sravaka arhats are not really Buddhas, but Arhats instead. rudy 21:21, 25 October 2007 (UTC)

Hm hm... Paccekabuddhas not really buddhas? That's funny. Must be some new teaching? Greetings, Sacca 06:04, 26 November 2007 (UTC)

But yes, Nagarjuna and friends are not Buddhas because they just commented on the teachings, and possibly realised them, but they did not discover them. A Paccekabuddha discovers the teachings, but then he doesn't teach others. Arahants, however, frequently teach others, and they realised the teachings, but did not discover them: somebody told them about it... Greetings, Sacca 06:51, 26 November 2007 (UTC)

Those are the Theravada meanings. Can you cite any Mahayana text that gives them? Can you cite any Mahayana text that calls Pratyekabuddhas Buddhas? Peter jackson (talk) 09:29, 14 January 2008 (UTC)

Nat makes an important point about contradictory beliefs. After all, Mahayana often adopts a pragmatic concept of truth (Williams, Mahayana Buddhism, p2), & modern Chinese Buddhism regards all doctrinal traditions as equally valid (Welch, Practice of Chinese Buddhism, Harvard, 1967, p395), so this sort of thing may be perfectly normal in Mahayana. That raises a problem for us. If we say somewhere that Mahayana, or some form, believes such-and-such, without mentioning either the general point or any contradictory beliefs held by the same people, this would seem to be a misrepresentation. Peter jackson (talk) 10:42, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

Types of Buddhas

ashley grant

The article has got a bit confused, & I'm not sure my edits really sort it out. Let's try to get a few facts straight:

• according to Theravada tradition, there are explicitly stated to be 3 types of Buddhas (Udana com as cited)
• normal usage in Theravada, as in Mahayana, is to use it for only 1 of these
• I don't know whether the Sanskrit term Sravakabuddha actually exists, so I've used only Pali; I must say it seems perverse to be using Sanskrit in an exposition of Theravada doctrine anyway
• I've deleted some material about perfections as misleading: there's a tradition (All-Embracing Net of Views, page 314 if I remember right) that all must practise the perfections, not just bodhisattas

Peter jackson 16:37, 31 October 2007 (UTC)

Hi Peter, I don't know details of the other traditions, but in Tibetan Buddhism, also these 3 types are known, but the Shravaka and Pratyeka Buddhas are not considered fully enlightened Buddhas, but Arhats instead - I think this is the same in Theravada, but obviously the terminology is confusing as all 3 types are called Buddhas. Also it seems there is a difference made (in general Mahayana) between Buddhas who become enlightened 'by themselves' and teach Buddhism anew as the world has forgotten about it (as wheel-turners), and Buddhas who achieve their full enlightenment while the teachings of a previous Buddhas are still present. In that sense, someone who becomes a Buddha now, is called somewhat different from eg. Maitreya, who will teach Buddhism 'anew'.rudy 22:53, 31 October 2007 (UTC)

It's well known that Mahayana recognizes 3 sorts of attainment, but does it call them buddhas? It uses the term pratyekabuddha, but does it call them buddhas? Does it use the term sravakabuddha at all? If so, does it call them buddhas? Does it ever say anywhere that there are 2 or 3 types of buddhas, or are such statements in our articles merely Wikipedia artefacts? Does Mahayana have a defined distinction between teaching Buddhas (Sakyamuni, Maitreya) & other Buddhas (Nagarjuna &c). Does the statement in some articles that a buddha is defined as one who attains enlightenment untaught have a source, or is it a Wikipedia artefact? All these questions need to be answered by someone who knows about the subject. Peter jackson 11:43, 1 November 2007 (UTC)

Hi Peter, perhaps Nagarjuna can clarify eg. here: http://www.angelfire.com/indie/anna_jones1/arhat.html rudy (talk) 12:31, 26 November 2007 (UTC)

At a quick glance that doesn't seem to address any of my questions. Peter jackson (talk) 12:15, 27 November 2007 (UTC)

As an aside, that work probably isn't by Nagarjuna.

To clarify what I was saying above:

• Theravada is clear: Buddha usually means Sammasambuddha, but occasionally arahant (3 types)
• does Mahayana ever use Buddha to mean other than Samyaksambuddha?

Peter jackson (talk) 18:29, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

Well, others can perhaps comment more knowledgeably about this than myself, but it seems to me that in Tibetan tantric Buddhism, the term "buddha" can be applied fairly broadly because of the concept that religious figures are actually emanations of fully enlightened cosmic beings. Thus, for instance, Avalokiteśvara is not simply a bodhisattva, but a fully enlightened

buddha acting in the guise of a bodhisattva. And, further, the Dalai Lama and the Karmapa, are docetic emanations of Avalokiteśvara, who is a buddha, so the line between those two men and "buddha" is fuzzy at best (and their chief disciples are both emanations of Amitabha, another buddha, etc) . Similar concepts might also appear in tantric and Pure Land-oriented forms of Mahayana (i.e. a very large portion of Mahayana as a whole) outside of Tibet. Still, your basic question remains, and I don't know the answer to it: whether Mahayanists, when they are writing in a context where terms are used fairly precisely and aside from the type of concept I mentioned above, ever use the term "buddha" to mean something other than a samyaksambuddha.—Nat Krause^{(Talk!·What have I done?)} 01:26, 1 December 2007 (UTC)

Whatever happened with the simple proposal to merge? It seems the discussion got sidetracked. In my unenlightened impression, Types of Buddha is indeed largely redundant with the section {{Section link}}: required section parameter(s) missing, and I'd support a merge. I'd prefer merging the article into the section for now, because the former is quite small, and it won't hurt this article either, if we add some more text; especially when we move {{Section link}}: required section parameter(s) missing to Buddhist art, as proposed.

Either way, can we please reach a decision so that we can remove the template on top of the article? — Sebastian 18:30, 20 January 2008 (UTC)

New article based on "Depictions of the Buddha in art" scion?

Anyone mind if we whack the "Depictions of the Buddha in art" section out of this current article and stick the section's material into a separate article so that the remainder of this current article can focus on "being a buddha," "Buddhahood," etc., as is being discussed above?

If we proceed with such, what should the scion article be called? Buddha (art)? Depictions of the Buddha in art? Buddha in art?

Thanks for your thoughts. Larry Rosenfeld (talk) 19:45, 13 December 2007 (UTC)

That would be a good idea. As for the name, I'm fine with any of them, but I prefer Buddha in art because I'd assume it's most likely what people would enter in the search box. Maybe it would make sense, however, to wait for the results of the already existing merge and renaming proposals. — Sebastian 22:44, 13 December 2007 (UTC)

FWIW, I now see that there's a Buddhist art article. Perhaps if the "Depictions of the Buddha in art" section of this article here says anything different from what's in Buddhist art, the different material could be merged into Buddhist art and deleted from this here article? (This has just come up anew for me given the "surge" for renaming/moving this here article to the title Buddhahood -- a soteriological/metaphysical refocusing of content which I think would gain better cohesiveness if the current art-related material were removed.) Larry Rosenfeld (talk) 19:09, 13 January 2008 (UTC)

I agree with moving the section {{Section link}}: required section parameter(s) missing to Buddhist art. In the context of renaming: Since we found out (in #Whatlinkshere that most references to "Buddha" - and presumably many links to this article - actually refer to statues or depictions of the Buddha, and since Buddhist art is, at least potentially, a more general topic, I propose to create Buddha in art as a redirect with possibilities. When I run AWB I can then semiautomatically change all such obvious links to that new redirect page. — Sebastian 18:24, 20 January 2008 (UTC)

FWIW, I just came across Buddharupa -- perhaps this would be the best place for the integration of this material? Larry Rosenfeld (talk) 20:20, 17 March 2008 (UTC)

I just inserted the WP:Merge tags into this and the Buddharupa article. Thanks for any feedback! Larry Rosenfeld (talk) 20:32, 17 March 2008 (UTC)

simple:Buddha

A correction, a clarification & a query to Larry's remarks above:

• it's doubtful whether the 32 marks are brahmanical: the suttas say they are, but no trace has been found in brahmanical literature
• early Buddhism is ambiguous: the earliest sources mention 8 Buddhas
• are there 28 or 29 Buddhas in the Pali Canon, counting Metteyya?

Peter jackson (talk) 09:26, 14 January 2008 (UTC)

Hi Peter,

Hope you had a nice New Years. In regards to your "correction," your assessment of "doubtful" appears to be at odds, for instance, with Maurice Walshe (Vice President of the Buddhist Society) and perhaps T.W. Rhys Davids (founded of PTS). For instance, this is from Walshe's "The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya" (1995), p. 610, n. 939:

"RD [Rhys Davids] has a wide-ranging introduction tracing the possible origins of such marks, which clearly must have been important in the minds of influential Brahmins in the time of the Buddha (see, e.g. DN 3) However, later Brahmin tradition has preserved very little about them." [Boldface added.]

I'm not sure the basis for Walshe's statement and took his scholarship at face value. That he says there is "very litte" and you say there is "no trace," I'm not sure how to resolve this. Perhaps you are aware of the basis for Walshe's statement and can show it to be inaccurate?

Gotta go,

Larry Rosenfeld (talk) 14:05, 14 January 2008 (UTC)

No trace refers to a list of 32, or even the number. Obviously, it would be very surprising if no trace of any of them occurred. Peter jackson (talk) 10:33, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

Further to the early Buddhism point, if you take it in a broad sense there are more than 28 or 29. Even if you accept the commentary's explanation of extra Buddhas in the Apadana as Paccekabuddhas, other schools have their own (overlapping) lists. Peter jackson (talk) 10:35, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

Maintaining articles

Another point from Larry's remarks. He says we would need more people to maintain the article. The fact is that the Buddha article is not being properly maintained as it is. It consists mainly of legends, theories & fundamentalist Theravada propagaganda masquerading as fact. Peter jackson (talk) 09:32, 14 January 2008 (UTC)

Sanskrit for buddhatta, buddhabhāva, and sammā sambuddha ?

In response to Sebastian's request (recently archived), I threw together some words so that the word "buddhahood" figured prominently in this article's intro. While doing so, I inserted parenthetical Pali words (buddhatta, buddhabhāva, sammā sambuddha) into the opening sentence. I regret that I don't know the Sanskrit equivalents (though I could make some questionable guesses) and would appreciate it if someone who does know such would insert them beside the Pali. (Or if someone who is more eloquent than myself [oh, come one, this means you] is inclined to rewrite the intro and obviate this request, please do so!) Thanks ahead of time for any help, Larry Rosenfeld (talk) 21:59, 31 January 2008 (UTC)

Peter - Excellent! Thanks so much! - Larry Rosenfeld (talk) 19:37, 9 February 2008 (UTC)

Indonesian Buddhism

It says that Indonesian Buddhism believes in God. Is anyone willing to expand upon this further? 77.98.26.117 (talk) 19:31, 20 February 2008 (UTC)

Previous Buddhas saved all sentient being?

Have the previous Buddhas saved all sentient beings before they themself pass into Nivarna? if previous Buddhas DID saved all sentient being, then what are u still here editing wikipedia? Ain't u supposed to be in Nirvana?Sawadeekrap (talk) 05:50, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

When did it say that they did save everyone? Blnguyen (photo straw poll) 06:00, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva -> "An arhat is liberated from samsara (or the cycle of uncontrolled rebirth), but did not choose, in a previous life, to try and save each and every other living being before passing away into nirvana, and thus is not a fully enlightened Buddha." This statement said that only fully enlightened Buddha will try to save everyone before they pass into Nirvana Sawadeekrap (talk) 06:07, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Thea t sentence may have been unclear so I clarified it. Bodhisattvas vow to not become Buddhas until everyone is saved, which is why they haven't become Buddhas yet. It didn't say that people who didn't vow to be bodhisattvas and didn't vow to wait for everyone else first, could not become Buddhas. Blnguyen (vote in the photo straw poll) 06:16, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

That only applicable to Shepherd Bodhisattva, ur latest edit is in conlict with the other 2 type of Bodhisattva.

1. King-like Bodhisattva - one who aspires to become buddha as soon as possible and then help sentient beings in full fledge;
2. Boatman-like Bodhisattva - one who aspires to achieve buddhahood along with other sentient beings and
3. Shepherd-like Bodhisattva - one who aspires to delay buddhahood until all other sentient beings achieve buddhahood. Bodhisattvas like Avalokiteshvara, Shantideva among others are believed to fall in this category.

Sawadeekrap (talk) 06:32, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

"Shepherd-like Bodhisattva - one who aspires to delay buddhahood" - are you sure? I can't agree with that, IMO it has nothing to do with delaying, but realizing that thinking about others, and working for others is the fastest way to achieve buddahood (of course it doesn't mean this is the best way at all, becouse the best can be only what is possible to do, there is no absolute measure). Probably this misconception about delaying is rooted in christian-based thinking about Mahayana. Any delaying in development is contradict with Buddha's teachings.Tadeusz Dudkowski (talk) 13:29, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Those 3 type of Bodhisattva info is taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva, obviously u don't know what u talking about. Sawadeekrap (talk) 01:11, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Heh, dear Sawadeekrap, obviously I know what I'm talking about. WP is not reference for WP and if you are citing WP read it first "In Mahayana Buddhism, a bodhisattva is, at least in a sense, one who aspires to become Buddha for the benefit of all sentient beings" and - I suppose - any delay in deliverance is logical contradiction with this aspiration. What is your opinion? Moreover also word used by you: "save" has christian roots and has nothing to do with Dharma. Yes, sometimes is used in buddhist context, but it's mistake (like o.e. "meditation deities"). Buddha only points the way, but following this way is task for all sentient beings. With buddhas help of course, but there is a big difference. BTW - error with dealying will be repaired.Tadeusz Dudkowski (talk) 02:02, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

ok. May be u right, these "delay to save all sentient beings" statement seem to implied that Boddhisattva is more compassionate than Gautama Buddha & the previous 28 Buddhas, as all the previous Buddhas as achieved Budhhahood and gone to Nirvana without saving ALL sentient beings Sawadeekrap (talk) 02:15, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

This subject is very confusing because different Mahayana sources say different things & i can't find any scholar who has properly studied this & presented the results. the problem seems to stem from the Lotus Sutra, which says in quick succession that a Buddha's lifetime is extremely long & that it's infinite. Problem: which is to be taken literally? The Tibetans (or at least the Gelugpas) take the infinite statement literally, so they see no point delaying enlightenment. Some Chinese authorities, however (Cook, Hua-yen Buddhism, pages 110f) regard a Buddha's life as extremely long but not infinite. They further say that a bodhisattva can do more good for beings in an indefinite period than a Buddha can in such a lifetime (which doesn't necessarily follow from the previous statement) & so a bodhisattva should deliberately refrain from becoming a Buddha for this reason. I suspect there are probably quite a variety of different positions to be found in the literature, but, as I said, i haven't found anyone who's collected the information together. The 3 types of bodhisattva listed above are given in Lopez, (Story of) Buddhism (I can find the page refs if anyone wants). Unfortunately, he doesn't cite a source, tho' the context suggests it may be Zhiyi.

As regards the point about bodhisattvas being more compassionate than Buddhas, the answer would be that the Buddha only appeared to enter nirvana. this is stated in the Lotus Sutra again. Peter jackson (talk) 10:27, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

Would like to delete

The article says: In the Mahayana tradition, the definition of Buddha extends to any being who becomes fully awakened. The Theravada Arhant would be considered a kind of Buddha (although not generally by Mahayana Buddhism itself) in this Mahayana sense, and this usage also occurs in the Theravada commentaries[1].

I would like to delete, (although not generally by Mahayana Buddhism itself). This is incoherent, whereas the article is well-written on the whole. Also, Tibetan Buddhism refers to shravakabuddhas and pratyekabuddhas.

If there are Mahayana traditions that contradict this paragraph, would someone like to point them out with references please, so that I don't delete something that merely needs rewording with a footnote.

Moonsell (talk) 12:04, 4 May 2008 (UTC)

OK. I've deleted it. Please provide the evidence before reverting.

Moonsell (talk) 10:23, 5 May 2008 (UTC)

This is thoroughly confused, & this change only makes it worse. Let me try to summarize the position as I see it.

In Theravada, there are 2 uses of the term "Buddha".

1. the usual one, referring to Sammasambuddhas only
2. occasionally, synonymous with arahant, so including 3 types:

1. 1. sammasambuddha
   2. paccekebuddha
   3. savakabuddha

In Mahayana, I've never heard of the term "Buddha" ever being used in any sense other than referring to Samyaksambuddhas. Can anyone provide any reference for this? Peter jackson (talk) 10:33, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

Hi Peter, see eg. page 20 of http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/medbudsutra.pdf, certainly a Mahayana Sutra. Also in Tibetan Buddhist teachings it appears regularly. They use the word xx-Buddha, but consider them Arhats, not really Buddhas. rudy (talk) 14:58, 29 June 2008 (UTC)

Mahayana buddha names

in Taisho Tripitaka

439 佛說諸佛經 many buddhas

440 佛說佛名經 many buddha names

441 佛說佛名經 many buddha names

442 十方千五百佛名經 10 directions 1500 buddha names

443 五千五百佛名神咒除障滅罪經 5500 buddha names

444 佛說百佛名經 100 buddha names

445 佛說不思議功德諸佛所護念經 many buddha names

446 過去莊嚴劫千佛名經 past kalpa 1000 buddha names

447 現在賢劫千佛名經 recent kalpa 1000 buddha names

448 未來星宿劫千佛名經 next kalpa 1000 buddha namesYew bo (talk) 15:30, 29 June 2008 (UTC)

449 for example 南無金剛堅強消伏壞散如來 出自佛說稱揚諸佛功德經 金剛堅強消壞散佛　聞名歡喜信樂誦念 得不退轉卻十萬億之罪 出自十方千五百佛名經

南無歡喜莊嚴珠王佛 出自佛說千佛因緣經 南無帝寶幢摩尼勝光如來 出自佛說千佛因緣經

南無阿彌陀佛 阿彌陀佛　聞名一心信樂誦念歡喜得無量 福離三惡道臨終至念佛自來迎

南無善寂月音王如來 出自佛說稱揚諸佛功德經 南無殊勝月王佛 出自佛說稱揚諸佛功德經

以下佛名無講解 東北方青華世界悲精進如來　 南無悲精進佛　一心敬禮者卻千億劫生死之罪 出自十方千五百佛名經

南無初發心不退轉輪成首如來 不退轉輪成首佛　一心敬禮者卻千億劫生死之罪

南無斷疑拔欲除冥佛　一心敬禮者卻三十六億劫生死之罪 出自十方千五百佛名經

南無當來下生彌勒尊佛

佛名功德的講解

南無德內豐嚴王如來 於是阿逸菩薩。長跪叉手前白佛言

。寧有一事菩薩摩訶薩。於此事中具大乘願住不退轉。

疾成無上正真道不。佛言有。阿逸。

北方有世界名曰豐嚴。其國有佛

。號德內豐嚴王

如來至真等正覺明行成為善逝世間解無上士道法御天人師號曰眾祐度人無量。

其有得聞斯佛名者。歡喜信樂持諷誦念而為作禮。

其人皆當得不退轉。疾成無上正真之道。

卻一億劫生死之罪。其有供養五千佛者。

此輩阿逸。爾乃得聞德內豐嚴王如來名號。

其聞名者。從是以後所生之處

。常得天眼未曾不得天眼之時。常能徹聽未曾不得天耳之時

。常能飛行無有不得神足之時。乃至泥曰常得端政

。未曾受於醜惡之形。乃至泥曰常當尊貴。未曾生於下劣之處

。乃至泥曰悉能除壞眾欲之縛。其人六情眼耳鼻口及於身意終無有疾。

乃至泥曰初未曾生無佛之處。聽大尊法未曾有礙。不得聽時未曾有礙

。不見僧時亦復不生八難之處。戒常具足無有缺時。

識心清淨無有忿亂時。

當知阿逸。其有得聞此佛名者。淨心信樂於最正覺。如渴欲飲。發信敬心向如來者

。此等阿逸。悉能捉持諸佛世界最特之利。

其人皆當獲於殊妙奇特功德

。是故阿逸。並當專精持此佛名。若族姓子族姓女。欲得殊特妙淨剎者。

當急聽此諸尊佛名稱其名號。當為

作禮自作是言

。我今禮於德內豐嚴王如來

至真等正覺明行成為善逝世間解無上士道法御天人師號曰眾祐度人無量。

阿逸白佛言。惟天中天。其佛剎土為在何所去此遠近。成佛以來為幾時也

。佛告阿逸。設使縱廣百由延中一大埠沙。取一沙著一佛剎

。如是悉著諸佛剎中悉令沙盡。如是沙數諸佛剎土悉滿中沙。復取諸佛剎土中沙。

復以一沙著一佛剎。如是諸國剎中沙。悉使令盡取此沙數。

諸佛剎土悉破為塵。復取一塵著一佛剎悉令塵盡。

是諸佛國塵數剎土猶尚未至。餘未到者過此百倍

。其佛剎土去此極遠不可稱量

。其佛世尊在彼豐嚴剎土之中。

而今現在與無央數諸開士等不可稱計諸比丘

眾。前後圍遶而為說法。

我於此坐遙用肉眼。見其如來於大眾中廣說經法。彼佛世尊於

彼剎土在高座上。亦用肉眼觀此世界。

亦復見我在於座上於大眾中而說經法

。阿逸當知。若有眾生信諸如來肉眼所見

。而歡喜者。此必成就正覺之道。斯等皆諸佛如來之所護持。令使信樂而不狐疑。

斯等皆當捉持如來深妙之慧。得不退轉於最正覺

。是故阿逸。其有欲求此大福者。若使三千大千世界滿其中火

。故當入中聽斯佛名智慧之法。

please

please add: [[he:בודהה (מושג)]]. Daniel B (talk) 22:26, 8 August 2008 (UTC)

Done --Tadeusz Dudkowski (talk) 15:12, 9 August 2008 (UTC)

Literature

Black Buddha, Changing the Face of American Buddhism by Lama Choyin Rangdrul.

Austerlitz -- 88.75.206.74 (talk) 10:15, 30 September 2008 (UTC)

hello Skysmith, why?

Austerlitz -- 88.75.205.190 (talk) 12:03, 2 October 2008 (UTC)

• first edition [1]

Austerlitz -- 88.75.89.225 (talk) 22:45, 22 October 2008 (UTC)

• Attainment of Buddhahood

Austerlitz -- 88.75.223.112 (talk) 10:35, 22 November 2008 (UTC)

Definition

• [2]

Austerlitz -- 88.75.223.112 (talk) 10:58, 22 November 2008 (UTC)

Protection

When was this article protected? Probably it should be unprotected now if the concerns are met? Dragonzz (talk) —Preceding undated comment was added at 07:54, 6 December 2008 (UTC).

On Buddhahood, generally speaking

• Dr. Yutang Lin: The Unification of Wisdom and Compassion

"This evening I would like to talk about "The Unification of Wisdom and Compassion." When Buddha realized Buddhahood he attained the original state of the oneness of everything without limit. That state is beyond any description; however, in order to help sentient beings who were not aware of this reality, he used language that they could understand in order to guide them toward that experience. In so doing there is a limitation, because languages are built upon concepts, and concepts automatically set limits. The concepts are limited by nature, so how are we going to accomplish the task of using limited tools to describe a limitless state? Because of that, in describing Buddhahood, quite often in the Sutras you will find that they will have to say, "Buddha is complete in two ways."

Because of the limits of language we can speak only about certain aspects at one time. The rational aspect of Buddhahood is called "Wisdom," and the emotional aspect or the aspect of the will is called "Compassion." So we always say, "Buddha is complete in Wisdom and Compassion." However, we should realize that in Buddha himself there is no such distinction between Wisdom and Compassion. Whatever he does, whatever he says, whatever he thinks, is the totality and the unification of Wisdom and Compassion. But for us to understand it, we must describe it from different angles, therefore we say it has two sides."

Something of this kind should be mentioned within the introductory part of the wiki article.

Austerlitz -- 88.75.95.50 (talk) 11:15, 31 January 2009 (UTC)