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**flowersnewaho** · 03-19-2012, 04:28 AM

Whenever this question arises, I find it helpful to reflect on the Buddha's words in the Chavalata Sutta (AN 4.95).

Here the Buddha suggests the best course of action is to strive for one's own development without neglecting the betterment of others. The two can be done simultaneously. Applying this advice to Mahayana practice, the Bodhisattva path need not be one of "saving" others with efforts that could otherwise be channeled into one's own practice, but rather of helping them along the way, as a good kalyanamitta would do.

My instruction and how I continue to understand the vow is less emphasis on the saving others aspect and more on the need for committed diligence to practice.

03-19-2012, 04:28 AM	#5
flowersnewaho Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 528 Senior Member	Whenever this question arises, I find it helpful to reflect on the Buddha's words in the Chavalata Sutta (AN 4.95). Here the Buddha suggests the best course of action is to strive for one's own development without neglecting the betterment of others. The two can be done simultaneously. Applying this advice to Mahayana practice, the Bodhisattva path need not be one of "saving" others with efforts that could otherwise be channeled into one's own practice, but rather of helping them along the way, as a good kalyanamitta would do. My instruction and how I continue to understand the vow is less emphasis on the saving others aspect and more on the need for committed diligence to practice.
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