Transcendent paths

Looking at religions in general, there are a number of different paths by which to approach and possibly reach the transcendent. But then, not all paths are successful; some only go so far then stop; some are even false paths.

Take theosis, for example, or becoming one with God. The Christian Orthodox Church acknowledges theosisthe Catholic Church does not. The former has a developed path for achieving theosis, the latter does not for obvious reasons.

In the main, modern religion is all about dumbing down the transcendent path making it easy to accomplish. One only needs to have some kind of personal religious experience. The problem with this approach is if we expect to find the transcendent in our experiences we end up identifying our experience with the transcendent!

Turning to Buddhism, the Bodhisattva way/bhumi begins with transcendence or Bodhicitta (lit. the mind that is bodhi). It is the only way to Buddhahood which is the full unfolding of the transcendent. One isn't a Bodhisattva without first attaining real Bodhicitta. Aspiring to achieve Bodhicitta such as taking Bodhisattva vows, which is a popular practice followed in Mahayana Buddhist traditions like Zen, is not the realization Bodhicitta anymore than aspiring to be the President of the United States makes one the President. Buddhist who believe they are Bodhisattvas are not. They are deluded.

It also follows that enlightening sentient beingscomes after Bodhicittaotherwise it is a case of the blind leading the blind. This, I need to add, doesnt bar anyone from helping sentient beings such as feeding the poor, fighting against racism, having good government, etc. It only means that you cant enlighten beings if you, yourself, are clueless about the mind that is bodhi (Bodhicitta) which is the transcendent.


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