Aims and Objectives of Society (lectured by ven. Ilukkevela Dhammaratana) 2011

              The aim of Buddhism is to attain the Enlightenment. It is the only thing that can be attained by our supreme person, the Buddha. However, in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, three Bodhis are introduced, namely Sammā Sambuddha, Pacceka Buddha and Arahant. The priority is given to the Arahantship (Arahanthood). According to the Mahāyāna tradition, Buddhahood is the highest and for that purpose its followers should practice bodhisatta paṭipadā. However, none of these traditions is neglected by the society. Therefore, both these traditions are there to preserve the society.


                We see in many places of the Buddhist Canon that young men were searching for happiness. They would spend most of their time in the forest for the sake of searching the final goal. The Buddha attained the enlightenment in such a time. Having attained the enlightenment, he mentioned that anyone can attain the enlightenment if they follow the right path. According to the facts, enlightenment is not a simple achievement. That is why the Buddha introduced Arahanthood to His followers. In Theragāthā it is mentioned that Arahants who have attained enlightenment followed the example of the Buddha. In Ariyapariyesanā Sutta of Majjhima Nikāya, the Buddha has explained how He attained the enlightenment.


            Visuddhimagga (The Path of Purification), is the Pāli Canon summary composed by  ven. Buddhaghosa. Accordingly, there are two different practices introduced for laity and clergy. It is called gihi-vata and paridi-vata.[1] There are introduced three kinds of meritorious deeds and tisikkhā. The meritorious deeds are dāna, sīla and bhāvanā. These are introduced to practice for the beginners. They are the foundation of Nibbāna. Without  practicing them, one may not be able to attain Nibbāna. That is why it is introduced for practice by householders. The three sikkhā are to be practiced secondly. For the monks sīla, samādhi and paññā are introduced. When one follows the Noble Eightfold Path, he may pass the stages sīla, samādhi and paññā respectively.


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[1]     But these terms do not appear in Tipiṭaka.