"to gain Brahman" is the endgoal of Buddhism. Same as the principle Upanishads. There is no distinction
- From: ancientbuddhism@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2007 16:17:08 -0800 (PST)
It has been asserted by modern so-called Buddhism-in-name-only that
Buddhism knows only of the gods (Brahma) and nothing of the Godhead/
Absolute/Agathon Brahman. In actuality there can be
doubt that in the grammatically ambiguous expression Brahmabhu'to
(attano) which describes the condition of those who are wholly
liberated, that it is Brahman (the Absolute) and not Brahma (deva, or
mere god) that is in the text and must be read; for it is by Brahman
that one who is "wholly awake" has "become." For (1) the comparatively
limited knowledge of a Brahma is repeatedly emphasized, and
(2) Brahmas are accordingly the Buddhas pupils, not he theirs [ S
1.141-145; Mil 75-76], (3) The Buddha had already been in previous
births a Brahma (god) and a Mahabrahma [AN 4.88] hence it is
meaningless and absurd in the equation to say Brahmabhu'to=Buddho
[AN 5.22; DN 3.84; It 57 etc.], to assume that Brahman= Brahma (god)
and that (4) the Buddha is explicitly "much more than a
Mahabrahma" [DhA 2.60].
[DN 3.84] "The Tathagata means 'the body of Brahman', 'become
Brahman'."
[DN 1.249] " I teach the way to the union with Brahman, I know the
way to the supreme union with Brahman, and the path and means leading
to Brahman, whereby the world of Brahman may be gained."
[DN 1.248] "all the peoples say that Gotama is the supreme teacher
of the way leading to the Union with Brahman!"
[It 57] "Become-Brahman is the meaning of Tathagata."
[SN 3.83] "Without taints, it meant 'Become-Brahman'."
[SN 5.5] "The Aryan Eightfold Path is the designation for Brahmayana
(path to Brahman)."
[MN 1.341] "The Soul is having become Brahman."
[SN 4.117] "Found the ancient path leading to Brahman."
.
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