"To go from mortal to Buddha, you have to put an end to karma, nurture your awareness, and accept what life brings"
About this Quote
The quote by Bodhidharma, a legendary monk traditionally credited as the transmitter of Chan Buddhism to China, encapsulates profound teachings main to Buddhist viewpoint, stressing the path to knowledge or Buddhahood. Translating this quote includes comprehending its 3 core elements: ending karma, supporting awareness, and accepting life's turnarounds.
** Ending Karma **: In Buddhist teachings, karma describes the law of cause and effect, where intentional actions affect future outcomes. Removing karma suggests transcending the cycle of actions and consequences that bind one to the cycle of birth, death, and renewal (samsara). This is attained through ethical living, mindfulness, and mental discipline, leading to a state of freedom or enlightenment. It suggests that to become a Buddha-- one who is completely awakened-- one must conquer the regular patterns and desires that perpetuate suffering.
** Nurturing Awareness **: Awareness, in this context, represents an extensive understanding of one's mind and existence. It is the cultivation of mindfulness or the heightened awareness of today moment, free from judgments and distractions. Supporting awareness involves practices such as meditation, which assist establish insight into the nature of truth and the interconnectedness of all things. By cultivating this awareness, people can uncover the real nature of self and reality, moving closer to knowledge.
** Accepting What Life Brings **: Life is naturally unpredictable and full of challenges. Approval in Buddhism is not passive resignation but an active engagement with life's conditions. It involves acknowledging impermanence and embracing experiences without accessory or aversion. This approval is important for inner peace and durability, permitting people to respond to life's changes with equanimity and compassion.
Together, these aspects form a roadmap for spiritual advancement. Bodhidharma's words highlight that the journey from being a mortal bound by worldly concerns to attaining Buddhahood involves deep internal improvement. By ending karma, supporting awareness, and accepting life's nature, one can transcend suffering and find a greater spiritual reality.