Afflictions are bodhi
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“afflictions are bodhi:” This is a mahayana teaching of the highest level.
The defilements are inseparable from Buddhahood.
Enlightenment is achieved only when one realizes that the defilements themselves have no real, independent existence.
When one sees the empty nature of the defilements, one realizes that there is, in essence, nothing to eliminate in order to enter into enlightenment.
This phrase is often used in conjunction with the phrase “Samsara is the same as nirvana.”
See also: Ultimatism.
A Mahayana teaching of the highest level, for those already awakened/enlightened (see “Ultimatism” for explanation).
“A basic Zen teaching. Afflictions are inseparable from Buddhahood.
At the noumenon or the theoretical level , afflictions and Buddhahood are considered to be two sides of the same coin.
Since all existence has the tathata (thusness) as its underlying essence, afflictions too must rest on this tathata.
Enlightenment, i.e., identity with the tathata, is achieved only when one realizes that afflictions in themselves can have no real, independent existence.
The doctrine is considered to express the ultimate teaching of Mahayana.”
Turn Afflictions into Bodhi
This is a key Mahayana concept. As an example, supposing a woman returns home, only to discover that her only child has suddenly died. This is the worst affliction imaginable.
Yet, if through this affliction she understands that disease and death are the common lot of all sentient beings, she will have realized the truth of impermanence.
She will have turned an affliction (loss of a loved one) into Bodhi (Enlightenment).