Sāvakabuddha

2023-04-28T10:43:51Z

81.134.137.34:

{{short description|Enlightened disciple of a Buddha}}
[[Image:500lohan longhuatemple.jpg|thumb|right|Statues of the 500 arhats in the [[Longhua temple]] in [[Shanghai]], P.R. [[China]]]]

'''Sāvakabuddha''' is a [[pali]] term used rarely in [[Theravada]] [[Buddhism]] to refer to an enlightened disciple of a Buddha. Such enlightened disciples obtained [[Nirvana|{{IAST|nibbāṇa}}]] by hearing the [[Dharma|dhamma]] as initially taught by a [[Buddhahood|sammasambuddha]]. A sāvakabuddha is distinguished from a sammasambuddha and a [[Pratyekabuddha|paccekabuddha]]. The standard designation for such a person is "[[arhat]]".

Buddhas are supposed to reach {{IAST|nibbāṇa}} by their own efforts and insights.<ref>Snelling, John (1987), ''The Buddhist handbook. A Complete Guide to Buddhist Teaching and Practice''. London: Century Paperbacks. Page 81</ref> A sāvakabuddha might also lead others to enlightenment, but cannot teach the dhamma in a time or world where it has been forgotten, because they depend upon a tradition that stretches back to a sammasambuddha.

The term savakabuddha is used in Theravadin commentaries<ref>''Udana Commentary'', tr Peter Masefield, volume I, 1994, Pali Text Society, page 94; Theragatha commentary, PTS edition, volume I, page 10, not yet translated, cited by Pruitt in ''Journal of the Pali Text Society'', volume XXIX, forthcoming</ref> but does not occur in the scriptures of the [[Pāli Canon]].

[[Śrāvaka|Sāvaka]] means "one who hears" – a person who follows the path to enlightenment by means of hearing the instructions of others. Lay persons, who take special vows, are called sāvakas.

== In the ''Jewel Ornament of Liberation'' ==
In the work written by [[Gampopa]] (1074-1153 C.E.), "[[The Jewel Ornament of Liberation]], The Wish-fulfilling Gem of the Noble Teachings", the ‘Pratyekabuddha family’ are described as those who fear samsara and yearn to reach nirvana, but have little compassionate activity, benefiting other beings.

They cling to the idea that the unsullied meditative absorption they experience is Nirvana, when it's more like an island to find rest on the way to their actual goal. Rather than feel discouraged, the Buddha taught the Sravaka and Pratyekabuddha paths for rest and recuperation. After finding rest, they are encouraged and awakened by the Buddha's body speech and mind to reach final Nirvana. Inspired by the Buddha, they then cultivate [[Bodhicitta]] and practice the [[Bodhisattva]] path.<ref>Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche, "Jewel Ornament of Liberation." 1998, pp. 51-53</ref>

==References==
<references />

{{Buddhism topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Savakabuddha}}
[[Category:Arhats]]
[[Category:Theravada Buddhist terminology]]

{{Buddhism-stub}}

Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]

Sāvakabuddha