Lesson video

Hello, my name's Ms. Ramalli, and welcome to today's RE lesson, which forms part of our unit on "Buddhism: Beliefs and teachings." Today, we're going to be exploring the Buddhist belief in the Bodhisattva ideals, which is common to the Mahayana tradition.

Okay, let's begin today's lesson.

Today's lesson outcome is, I can explain Buddhist beliefs on Bodhisattva ideals, why the beliefs are important, and how they influence Buddhists today.

To help guide us through today's lesson, we have five keywords.

Our keywords are enlightenment.

Buddhahood.

Bodhisattva.

Pure Land.

And Amitabha.

Can also be referred to as Amida.

Enlightenment is a state of wisdom that enables clarity and understanding of the truths of existence.

Buddhahood means reaching enlightenment.

Bodhisattva is an enlightened being who remains in the cycle of samsara in order to help others achieve enlightenment.

Pure Land is a form of Mahayana Buddhism, based on a belief in Amitabha Buddha.

Amitabha, or Amida, is the Buddha worshipped by Pure Land Buddhists.

So today's lesson on Bodhisattva ideals takes two parts.

The first part is Mahayana beliefs about Bodhisattvas.

Moving on to learn about Pure Land Buddhism.

So let's begin by learning about Mahayana beliefs about Bodhisattvas.

In Buddhism, human destiny refers to the path that a Buddhist will take in order to achieve enlightenment.

So there is Theravada Buddhism, who takes the Arhat path, and Mahayana Buddhism, also meaning greater vehicle, who takes the Bodhisattva path.

Many Mahayana Buddhists strive to follow the Bodhisattva path.

The term "Bodhisattva" has its origins in the ancient Sanskrit language.

Bodhi meaning "perfect knowledge," and sattva meaning "essence." So "Bodhisattva" can be interpreted to mean a person whose essence is perfect knowledge.

This is essentially an enlightened being who remains in the cycle of samsara in order to help others achieve enlightenment.

True or false? The goal of most Mahayana Buddhists is to be an Arhat, or Arahant.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

Well done if you said that statement is false.

The goal of most Mahayana Buddhists is to be a Bodhisattva, and this is an enlightened being who remains in the cycle of samsara in order to help others achieve enlightenment.

Lucas asks, "As a Mahayana Buddhist monk, what do you believe about Bodhisattvas, Ting?" Ting says, "Bodhisattvas are beings who choose to remain in the cycle of samsara to help others achieve enlightenment.

Bodhisattvas seek to end suffering for all beings, not just themselves.

I aim to be a Bodhisattva, and I have taken the Bodhisattva vow to show my commitment to this path." Many Mahayana Buddhists will take the Bodhisattva vow to show compassion for all.

It states, "However innumerable sentient beings are, I vow to save them." What do you think this vow teaches about the path of the Bodhisattva? Pause the video here and with your partner, have a discussion.

And then when you're ready to, press play to reflect on your answers.

Fantastic.

Great discussions.

So what did you suggest that this vow teaches about the path of the Bodhisattva? Well, no matter how many people there are, an individual is committed to liberating all living beings from suffering and guiding them towards enlightenment.

This is what the Bodhisattva vow teaches about the path of the Bodhisattva.

Tashi, an Mahayana Buddhist, explains her beliefs about Bodhisattvas.

Tashi says, "I believe a Bodhisattva can become transcendent, not just earthly.

They are beings who have realised enlightenment but who remain active in the world.

I believe that they can appear in different forms to help others and to lead them to enlightenment.

In my tradition, Bodhisattvas have great status.

Sometimes, I pray to Bodhisattvas in times of need." Tashi tells us about the popular Bodhisattva, Manjushri.

"Manjushri is a popular Bodhisattva.

He represents compassion and ultimate wisdom.

And many Buddhists visualise him when meditating to develop their own sense of compassion and insight." Let's complete a check for understanding.

Select three correct beliefs about Bodhisattvas.

A, they have achieved enlightenment.

B, they have yet to achieve enlightenment.

Or C, they aim to help others achieve enlightenment.

Or D, they remain active in the world.

Remember, you're looking to select three correct beliefs.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to see the correct answers.

Well done if you selected A, C, and D.

So beliefs about Bodhisattvas are they have achieved enlightenment, they aim to help others achieve enlightenment, and they remain active in the world.

Well done, everybody.

Lucas asks, "As a Mahayana monk, Ting, why are your beliefs in human destiny important to you?" Ting says, "My belief in human destiny is important to me because I aim to be a Bodhisattva.

I want to remain in samsara, the cycle of births, death, and rebirth, to help others achieve enlightenment.

I am influenced to practise the six perfections, or paramitas, which include being generous and giving to others, meditation, and having patience with all people." Tashi, a Mahayana Buddhist, explains how her beliefs about human destiny influence her.

Tashi says, "I am also influenced to practise the six perfections, also known as paramitas.

I try hard to practise the six key qualities in my life, generosity, morality, patience, effort, meditation and wisdom.

I must also be charitable and show kindness and care towards others.

I do this to achieve my goal of being reborn as a Bodhisattva." Let's pause and check you've understood what we've just heard.

Choose two ways Mahayana Buddhists may be influenced by their beliefs.

A, encourages them to be uncharitable.

B, encourages them to be patient.

Or C, it encourages them to be generous.

Remember, you're looking for two ways for this answer.

Good luck.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to see the correct answers.

Okay, well done if you selected B and C.

Their beliefs encourages them to be patient and generous.

So now we're going to complete our first practise task and you're going to describe Buddhist beliefs about Bodhisattvas.

And here is some guidance that you might like to follow in order to structure your answer.

So the suggested guidance is to give two points and develop each of the two points.

And for each part of your answer, you should also include a range of religious and specialist terms. For at least one part of your answer, you should use a source of wisdom and authority.

Now this could be an exact or paraphrased quote, or it could be a general teaching from a named source.

And when you include your source of wisdom and authority, remember to accurately apply this to the point and question.

Good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Okay, welcome back, everybody.

Let's check your answers for the first practise task.

Well, your answers may look something like this.

So the first point you could have said is, one Buddhist belief about Bodhisattvas is that they are an enlightened being.

And a development of that first point could be, Bodhisattvas remain in the cycle of samsara in order to help others achieve enlightenment.

Many Mahayana Buddhists aim to achieve the goal of becoming a Bodhisattva.

Your second point could be, another Buddhist belief about Bodhisattvas is they seek to end suffering for all beings, not just themselves.

Many Mahayana Buddhists will take the Bodhisattva vow, "However innumerable sentient beings are, I vow to save them." This vow is to show their commitment to liberate all living beings from suffering and guide them towards enlightenment.

So what you can see here are two developed points, a reference to a source of wisdom and authority, which is highlighted here in purple, and the source of wisdom authority has accurately been applied to the point and the question.

Fantastic.

Well done, everybody.

So now we're going to move on to the second part of our lesson today on Bodhisattva ideals by understanding about Pure Land Buddhism.

Pure Land Buddhism is a school within the Mahayana tradition.

It is believed to have originated in India during the second century BCE, later spreading to China.

It has since spread throughout China and is now the main form of Buddhism practised in Japan.

Pure Land Buddhism follows the teachings of the Bodhisattva Dharmakara, later known as Amitabha Buddha.

The story of Amitabha Buddha.

Once there was a king who, deeply moved by the suffering of beings in the world, renounced his throne and became a Bodhisattva monk named Dharmakara.

Dharmakara made a vow to attain Buddhahood, with the goal of creating a buddha-land free from all limitations and suffering.

He spent much time meditating.

He deeply contemplated various buddha-lands and recorded his insights in 48 vows.

In Mahayana scripture, it tells of him reaching enlightenment.

When he gained enlightenment, he became Amitabha Buddha.

The name Amitabha means "Immeasurable Light." He established his Pure Land of Sukhavati, which means 'land of bliss,' a kingdom free from suffering.

Amitabha Buddha and the Pure Land is the expression of infinite wisdom and compassion.

True or false? Amitabha Buddha established the Pure Land, called Sukhavati.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

Well done if you selected true.

Mahayana scriptures tell of Amitabha Buddha achieving enlightenment, becoming a Buddha and creating his Pure Land, known as Sukhavati.

Pam is a Pure Land Buddhist from Japan and she now lives in the UK.

She explains why Pure Land Buddhism became so popular in Japan.

Pam tells us, "The monk Honen, followed by Shinran, boosted the popularity of Pure Land Buddhism.

They did this by simplifying the teachings and practises of traditional Buddhism, making it very appealing.

Complexities including challenging meditation practises were eliminated, and this made Buddhism accessible to all." Pam explains how to be reborn into the Pure Land.

Pam says, "The way to achieve Buddhahood is to gain help from Amitabha Buddha.

To be reborn into the Pure Land, one must recite Amitabha Buddha's name with full trust and genuine sincerity." A popular teaching in Pure Land Buddhism is, "If, when I achieve Buddhahood, sentient beings of the 10 directions who sincerely and joyfully entrust themselves to me, wish to be reborn in my land and recite my name, even 10 times, should fail to be reborn there, may I not attain perfect enlightenment." And that teaching is taken from the 18th Vow of Amitabha Buddha.

How do you think this vow could be interpreted? And what does it teach about how to reach the Pure Land? Pause the video here, and with your partner, discuss those two questions.

And press play when you're ready to reflect on your answers.

Okay, fantastic discussions, everybody.

Well, this popular teaching teaches that anyone who sincerely entrusts themselves to Amitabha, recites his name and wishes to be reborn in his Pure Land, will be reborn there.

This emphasises Amitabha's vow of compassion and the power of faith and recitation for rebirth in the Pure Land.

Another popular teaching in Pure Land Buddhism is taken from the "Sutra of Amitabha." It says, "Sentient beings who hear of the land should aspire to be born there.

Those who hear this teaching should aspire to birth in that land.

Those who have already aspired, now aspire, or in the future will aspire to be reborn in the land of Amitabha Buddha." How could this teaching be interpreted? Pause the video and with your partner, discuss how you think this teaching could be interpreted.

Press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Okay, great discussions, everyone.

Welcome back.

Well, one way this teaching could be interpreted is that it means that if an individual hears of the Pure Land teachings, then they should aspire and aim to be reborn there.

True or false? To be reborn into the Pure Land, a Buddhist must have faith in Amitabha Buddha and recite his name.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you selected true.

Pure Land Buddhism teaches, in order to be reborn into the Pure Land, a person must have faith and trust in the infinite wisdom and compassion of Amitabha Buddha.

Pam explains her beliefs about the nature of Pure Land.

Pam says, "Amitabha Buddha is a role model to me.

I believe he created Sukhavati, which is the Pure Land, out of compassion and love for all beings.

I believe Amitabha Buddha exists in the Pure Land.

If I am reborn into the Pure Land, I will be taught by him.

And this will enable me to reach enlightenment and attain Buddhahood." Lucas asks, "How will being reborn into the Pure Land help you gain Buddhahood, Pam?" Pam says, "I believe that the Pure Land is a 'land of bliss.

' I believe that it's a land free from suffering.

It is a place where there is no distractions that people face in this world, that stop them from gaining enlightenment.

My goal is to be reborn into the Pure Land.

Here the conditions will be more favourable for me to gain enlightenment and reach Buddhahood." Lucas asks, "Do all Buddhists believe this is the way to achieve Buddhahood, Pam?" Pam says, "There are different interpretations amongst Buddhists.

Some Buddhists believe that rebirth into the Pure Land in itself is attaining Nirvana, whilst others believe that being born in the Pure Land, a 'land of bliss' with no suffering or distractions, makes attaining enlightenment possible, thereby, ensuring the goal of Buddhahood is met." Let's complete a check for understanding.

Which of the following best describes the Pure Land? A, a place with distractions and suffering but Amitabha Buddha is present.

B, a place with little distraction or suffering and Amitabha Buddha is not present.

Or C, a place with no distractions or suffering and Amitabha Buddha is present.

Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

Well done if you selected C.

A place with no distractions or suffering and Amitabha Buddha is present best describes the Pure Land.

Pam explains why her belief in the Pure Land is important.

Pam tells us, "It is important to me to have faith in Amitabha Buddha.

I am hopeful of being reborn in Sukhavati, the paradise where Amitabha lives.

I believe that to achieve a rebirth in the Pure Land, my beliefs influence me to recite Amitabha's name with full trust and genuine sincerity.

I will also study and gain wisdom of his teachings, for example, the 18th Vow." Pam continues explaining how her beliefs influence her actions.

Pam says, "I practise nembutsu, which is contemplating and reciting Amitabha Buddha's name, daily.

I recite 'Namo Amitabha Buddha' over and over again.

I can do this alone or in a group." True or false? Reciting "Namo Amitabha Buddha" is a guaranteed way to be reborn into the Pure Land.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

Okay, well done if you selected false.

A person must also have full trust and faith in Amitabha Buddha.

It's not enough for them just to recite "Namo Amitabha Buddha." Pam and Niti, who is a Theravada Buddhist monk, discuss their Buddhist influences.

Pam says, "I'm influenced to put my faith in Amitabha Buddha.

I believe this will result in rebirth in the Pure Land, enabling me a more attainable way to reach Buddhahood." Niti says, "I believe the only way I can achieve enlightenment is through my own thoughts and actions, not from the help of another.

This is why I am influenced to follow the Eightfold Path." What are the similarities and differences between Pam and Niti's views? Pause the video here and with your partner, have a discussion and see what you can identify as a similarity and difference.

Once you've had your discussion, press play when you're ready to move on with the lesson.

The beliefs in the Pure Land may influence Buddhists to have faith in Amitabha Buddha, to practise nembutsu, so, to contemplate and recite Amitabha Buddha's name, and to learn Amitabha Buddha's teachings, including Vow 18.

Let's complete a check for understanding.

Select two ways that Pure Land Buddhists may be influenced by their beliefs.

A, they may closely follow the steps of the Eightfold Path.

B, they may have faith in Amitabha Buddha.

And C, they may recite Amitabha Buddha's name.

So remember here, you're looking for two ways that Pure Land Buddhists may be influenced by their beliefs.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to see the correct answers.

Welcome back, everybody, and well done if you selected B and C.

So now we're going to complete our second practise task.

Izzy is explaining Buddhist beliefs about the Pure Land.

Izzy says, "One Buddhist belief about the Pure Land is that it is a land without suffering and distractions.

Another Buddhist belief about the Pure Land is that it is where Amitabha Buddha resides." Izzy has not made reference to a Buddhist source of authority or developed her points.

I would like you to add to Izzy's answer to develop both of her points and refer to a Buddhist source of authority for one of the points.

Good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Okay, fantastic.

Welcome back.

Time to check your answers for the second practise task.

So I asked you to add to Izzy's answer to develop both of her points and refer to a Buddhist source of authority for one of the points.

Your answer might be similar to this.

One Buddhist belief about the Pure Land is that it is a land without suffering and distractions.

In the "Sutra of Amitabha," it states, "Sentient beings who hear of the land should aspire to be born there." Therefore, most Pure Land Buddhists will want to be reborn into the Pure Land.

Another Buddhist belief about the Pure Land is that it is where Amitabha Buddha resides.

Most Pure Land Buddhists believe that residing in the Pure Land and being taught by Amitabha Buddha will result in enlightenment and the attaining of Buddhahood.

So what you can see here is that both points have been developed, and that one of the points has referred to a Buddhist source of wisdom and authority.

And then that point has accurately been applied to the question.

Fantastic.

Well done, everybody.

So that brings us to the end of today's lesson on Bodhisattva ideals.

So here is a summary of our learning today.

The goal of many Mahayana Buddhists is to be reborn as a Bodhisattva.

A Bodhisattva is an enlightened being who remains in the cycle of samsara in order to help others achieve enlightenment.

Pure Land Buddhism is a form of Mahayana Buddhism, based on a belief in Amitabha Buddha.

Sukhavati is a place of paradise where Pure Land Buddhists wish to be reborn and the place where Amitabha Buddha resides.

Rebirth in the Pure Land is believed to make Buddhahood attainable.

And lastly, Pure Land Buddhists are influenced to have faith in Amitabha Buddha and are required to recite his name.

Fantastic.

Well done, everyone.

And thank you very much for joining me for today's lesson.