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Buddhism teaches that as long as beings are dominated by greed, hatred, and ignorance, they remain ensnared in the cycle of samsara. Whether born as humans or animals in the six realms, they cannot escape the agonies of suffering and are doomed to repeat the cycle of birth, aging, illness, and death. In contemplating these truths, one should not adopt a detached or academic attitude, reciting them as though memorizing a text. Instead, one must delve into these realities, experiencing them fully as though watching a 3D film, immersing oneself deeply in the experience to truly understand the depths of suffering.
1. Contemplation of Suffering
Before beginning their formal practice, Buddhists actively contemplate the nature of life, death, and suffering, as these concerns are the very forces that motivate practitioners to embark on the path. In tantric practices, many choose to visualize themselves as the central deity, placed within the pure, sacred space of a mandala. However, imagining oneself trapped in the inferno of hell might have a far more profound impact, as it can stir a stronger resolve to abandon evil and cultivate virtue. Thus, it is through persistent contemplation of the rarity of human life, the fleeting nature of death, and the inherent suffering of samsara that true practice is realized.
According to Buddhist teachings, from time immemorial, all beings have been ensnared in the endless cycle of birth and death, never achieving eternal peace or joy. To truly transcend samsara, one must sever this cycle at its root. Buddhism teaches that the root cause of samsara is found in delusion and karma, with delusion being the most insidious force. Greed, hatred, and ignorance are the primary forms of delusion, and ignorance is the most profound. Among all forms of ignorance, the belief in a separate self—the ego—lies at the very heart of delusion. Thus, only by uprooting the ego can one truly end the cycle of birth and death.
2. Rooting Out the Ego
How, then, can one eradicate the ego? The answer is found in following the Buddha’s path. Once, the Buddha sat in profound meditation beneath the Bodhi tree and attained supreme enlightenment. Upon reaching Buddhahood, despite possessing infinite wisdom, compassion, and power, the Buddha could not wash away the sins of others with water, nor could he directly implant his enlightenment into their hearts. His only power was to teach others how to eliminate their ego and find liberation for themselves.
The Buddha revealed over 84,000 distinct paths to enlightenment, which can generally be divided into the teachings of the Great Vehicle and the Small Vehicle.
3. The Great Vehicle and the Small Vehicle
The teachings of the Great and Small Vehicles are designed for individuals with different capacities.
Practitioners of the Small Vehicle must first deeply understand the suffering of the three lower realms, as well as the suffering within all six realms, and their causes. This realization leads to a profound renunciation of samsara and a desire to escape the endless cycle. With this motivation, they embark upon the five paths of the Small Vehicle, eventually eliminating the ego and attaining the state of an Arhat, thereby liberating themselves from the ocean of suffering.
In contrast, practitioners of the Great Vehicle are driven by the aspiration to liberate all beings. Seeing the suffering in the six realms, they cultivate the heart of renunciation but cannot bear to abandon others in their suffering. Their deep, compassionate love for all beings is known as Bodhicitta—the awakened mind. To save all beings, they seek to attain the boundless wisdom and abilities required to become a Buddha. Once their Bodhicitta is firmly established, they set forth on the five paths of the Great Vehicle, advancing toward Buddhahood. The Great Vehicle can be further divided into exoteric and esoteric paths. Exoteric practice takes three vast eons to reach Buddhahood, while esoteric practice allows for the possibility of achieving Buddhahood within a single lifetime.
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The 6 Realms in Buddhism of Samsara and Reincarnation Part 2
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