Table of Contents
Avaivartika
Return to Buddhism, Bodhichitta Avaivartika, Bodhichitta (Bodhi Resolve), Buddhist Topics, Bodhichitta Avaivartika
Worldly Thought on the Matter
“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” – Henry David Thoreau
Buddhahood Irreversibility
“Moreover, Shariputra, those living beings born in the Land of the Ultimate Bliss are all avaivartika. Among them are many who in this very life will dwell in Buddhahood. Their number is extremely many; it is incalculable and only in measureless, limitless asamkhyeya kalpas could it be spoken.“
Venerable Hsuan Hua's Commentary:
“Avaivartika is Sanskrit. It means “not retreating or not turning away.” Those beings who are avaivartika do not retreat in position, conduct, or thought.
Not retreating in position means that they do not retreat to the lesser vehicle. Those of the lesser vehicle who are avaivartika do not retreat to the position of common men.
Not retreating in thought means that every day their thoughts to cultivate increase. Not retreating in conduct means that day by day they work harder and never say, “I have cultivated for quite a while, it is time to take a rest.” Taking a rest is simply retreating and turning away from Annuttarasamyaksambodhi, “the utmost right and perfect enlightenment.” Those who are avaivartika do not retreat in their quest for Bodhi.
There are many living beings in the Land of Ultimate Bliss who in this very life can step into the position of Buddhahood. Born in a lotus flower, in one life they can realize Buddhahood. How many such beings are there? You could never count them all. They can’t be calculated or even estimated. All you can say is that, in limitless, measureless asamkhyeya kalpas, you could not name them all.
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Synonyms
(Sanskrit) [from a not + vi-vrit to turn around, revolve] Non-revolving, non-transmigrating; in the case of a reembodying entity, one who is advanced so far on the evolutionary path that he is no longer enslaved by, or enchained in, the whirling waves of samsara. Hence also translated “one who does not revolve any more,” applied to seventh round human beings, and therefore strictly referable to one who has reached Nirvana. Also applied to every Buddha “who turns no more back; who goes straight to Nirvana” (TG 44), for whether Nirvana is entered as in the case of the Pratyekabuddhas, or whether the avaivartika renounces that lofty state and remains in the Nirmanakaya as a Buddha of Compassion, both classes of Buddhas have passed beyond the necessity of “revolving” any more in this round.
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