The Keys to the Kingdoms

Byayavelberg

“And when the Pharisees demanded: ‘When will the kingdom of God come?’ he answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God will not be seen. Neither will they say, ‘Lo here!’ or, ‘lo there!’ ‘for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.’” (Luke 17:20-21)  This popular verse is understood to mean that, as opposed…

Nirvana and/or Samsara

Byayavelberg

In Zen Buddhism, a “Bodhisatva” is someone who could achieve nirvana and escape the vicissitudes or “real” life (“samsara“), but refuses to do so unless s/he can do the same for all humanity. On the other hand, in Hinayana Buddhism, the “Arhat” recognizes that every individual has a unique destiny and has the responsibility for…