Oddly, I am not aware that the Pali canon makes any explicit mention of how to realize right view (sammâditthi) of the noble eightfold path which is necessary if one wishes to become an Arahant (S., arhat). Without a doubt, the ariyatthangikamagga or noble eightfold path commences with right view—it leads the way. This view, it is important to add, is transcendent or supermundane (lokuttara); one not shared by the worldlings (puthujjana) (cp. M. i. 323).
“He is called, monks, an ariyasavaka who possess (right) view, who possesses vision, who has come to this true Dhamma, who sees this true Dhamma, who is endowed with the knowledge (ñânena) of the sekha (i.e., a sotapanna, sakadagamin or anagamin), who is endowed with the wisdom (vijjaya) of the sekha, who has attained the Dhamma-ear, who has the ariyan insight of revulsion, who stands having arrived at the door to the Deathless” (S. ii. 43 = 44 = 58 = 79; cp S. ii. 80) (trans. Peter Masefiled).
On the same score, I am not aware that the Mahayana canon makes any explicit mention of how, exactly, to realize Bodhicitta (S., bodhicittotpada) = bodhi mind arising). We would not be wrong to say that faith, worship (anuttarapuja) and confession are important factors. But this doesn’t help us much. We only know that the life (bhumi) of the Bodhisattva commences with real Bodhicitta—not its aspiration or strong desire for. Nor is some ceremony of taking the vows of a Bodhisattva at a Buddhist temple, which is the common practice, make one a genuine Bodhisattva. An important Sutra in this regard, the Dashabhumika states that the citta-utpada (the arising of Mind) is the first step in the life of a Bodhisattva.
The bulk of the Buddha’s teachings are given to special initiates, that is, to those who have attained supermundane right view and Bodhicitta. The profane or worldlings (prithagjana), unless a Buddha shows up, can only dream and hope of realizing nirvana. Not even the Buddhist clergy can be of help which is made up of worldlings. Becoming a monk or a nun has nothing whatsoever to do with right view or Bodhicitta (the difference between the Triple Gem sangha and the monastic sangha is discussed in the blog, A sangha beyond the monastic sangha, and other blogs).
Truthsayers like you are hard to come by. I take my hat off to you Sir.
Posted by: Solon | September 18, 2011 at 12:04 PM