Pratyêka Buddha
(S.k)
The same as “Pasi‐Buddha”. The Pratyêka Buddha is a degree which belongs exclusively to the Yogâchârya school, yet it is only one of high intellectual development with no true spirituality. It is the dead‐letter of the Yoga laws, in which intellect and comprehension play the greatest part, added to the strict carrying out of the rules of the inner development. It is one of the three paths to Nirvâna, and the lowest, in which a Yogi — “without teacher and without saving others” — by the mere force of will and technical observances, attains to a kind of nominal Buddhaship individually; doing no good to anyone, but working selfishly for his own salvation and himself alone. The Pratyêkas are respected outwardly but are despised inwardly by those of keen or spiritual appreciation. A Pratyêka is generally compared to a “Khadga” or solitary rhinoceros and called Ekashringa Rishi, a selfish solitary Rishi (or saint). “As crossing Sansâra (‘the ocean of birth and death’ or the series of incarnations), suppressing errors, and yet not attaining to absolute perfection, the Pratyêka Buddha is compared with a horse which crosses a river swimming, without touching the ground.” (Sanskrit‐Chinese Dict.) He is far below a true “Buddha of Compassion”. He strives only for the reaching of Nirvâna. (TG).
Some links:
- Quotes: H. P. Blavatsky
DATA
To show: Pratyêka Buddha; sortable: Pratyeka Buddha
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Shortly: The same as “Pasi‐Buddha”. The Pratyêka Buddha is a degree which belongs exclusively to the Yogâ...