2008 Woodie Awards
RSSScholar explains sacred Buddhist text
By Stefanie Ida
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: News
Buddhist scholar Joshua Cutler, director of the Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center in Washington, N.J., discussed the path to enlightenment as explained by the 15th century Buddhist text "The Great Treatise on the Stages to the Path of Enlightenment," by Tsong-kha-pa, in front of a full crowd in Linderman Library 200 Tuesday.
"The Great Treatise" serves as the basis for the Dalai Lama's teachings, which he will present at Lehigh in July 2008.
Cutler has served as editor in chief of the translation of the sacred text for the past 12 years. Cutler's relationship with the Dalai Lama made the Dalai Lama's six-day visit possible.
The text is based on the beliefs of Atisha, a famous Buddhist monk and scholar. Through this text, one can explore the stages of the path to enlightenment in an attempt to achieve total happiness and freedom from suffering, Culter said.
The steps outlined in the text make it easier for someone less familiar with Buddhism to learn how the Buddhist religion works and how to attain complete enlightenment.
University Chaplain Lloyd Steffen said the lecture was a great opportunity to learn the basic principles of Tibetan Buddhism, especially in preparation for the Dalai Lama's upcoming visit.
"The stages give an overview of Tibetan Buddhism," Steffen said. "This text will answer a lot of questions about what Buddhism is and what its values are. This text actually deals with beginners, [and] the Dalai Lama will address beginners."
The three principles of the path to enlightenment are the determination to be free, the spirit of enlightenment and the correct view of reality.
With this mind set, individuals are on their way to achieving the ultimate goal of complete devotion to others, Cutler said.
Cutler also discussed the importance of being aware of the three different types of people - those of small, medium and great capacity. In this context, Cutler said capacity is the ability to take more into your mind than your small world and the ability to open your heart.
"The Great Treatise" serves as the basis for the Dalai Lama's teachings, which he will present at Lehigh in July 2008.
Cutler has served as editor in chief of the translation of the sacred text for the past 12 years. Cutler's relationship with the Dalai Lama made the Dalai Lama's six-day visit possible.
The text is based on the beliefs of Atisha, a famous Buddhist monk and scholar. Through this text, one can explore the stages of the path to enlightenment in an attempt to achieve total happiness and freedom from suffering, Culter said.
The steps outlined in the text make it easier for someone less familiar with Buddhism to learn how the Buddhist religion works and how to attain complete enlightenment.
University Chaplain Lloyd Steffen said the lecture was a great opportunity to learn the basic principles of Tibetan Buddhism, especially in preparation for the Dalai Lama's upcoming visit.
"The stages give an overview of Tibetan Buddhism," Steffen said. "This text will answer a lot of questions about what Buddhism is and what its values are. This text actually deals with beginners, [and] the Dalai Lama will address beginners."
The three principles of the path to enlightenment are the determination to be free, the spirit of enlightenment and the correct view of reality.
With this mind set, individuals are on their way to achieving the ultimate goal of complete devotion to others, Cutler said.
Cutler also discussed the importance of being aware of the three different types of people - those of small, medium and great capacity. In this context, Cutler said capacity is the ability to take more into your mind than your small world and the ability to open your heart.
