Maternal love in Buddhism.

 filled with Buddhist imagery and metaphor for the ultimate love like the love of a mother's ideal for your child. In Buddhist philosophy, there is no greater love than the love of a mother for her child, and there is no greater sacrifice sacrifices of a mother for a child birth.

Maternal love in Buddhism.

 

 

filled with Buddhist imagery and metaphor for the ultimate love like the love of a mother's ideal for your child. In Buddhist philosophy, there is no greater love than the love of a mother for her child, and there is no greater sacrifice sacrifices of a mother for a child birth.  Motherhood so respected for its lessons about love and sacrifice. However, motherhood also been criticized by the grasping in children, due to the grasping through this that people experienced suffering. This article consider a mother's love is idealized in many Buddhist scriptures and other writings as an example of universal love, the religion, and the Bodhisattva path. The article also discusses the role of motherhood in cultures influenced by the spirit of patriarchal culture and Buddhism, particularly in traditional Chinese.

According to Buddhist philosophy, people have the ability to transform capital and enlightenment. Although there is no concept of sin, but with the concept of repentance. Conversely in Western culture, most people are taught that they are the guilty from the moment of birth. For women in Christian society, this was sinful lineage from the first mother, Eve, who dare to seek knowledge. In Buddhist thought, there is an imposition against such women. However, the cultural influences of patriarchal East also adjusted Buddhist philosophy to suit their habits. But, despite the patriarchal structure, motherhood and what we learned from our mother, the love and care for our mother is the child, the Bodhisattva ideal, is an avenue taken to the peace.

Universal love

Status of universal love and unconditional for all beings known as Metta, loving-kindness. The purpose of metta is the wish everyone was happy. It does not have conditions. But before experiencing compassion to others, we must love yourself. Buddha taught that if you can keep the mind in a moment of love though, you can also achieve Nirvana, the ultimate truth (DHARMASIRI, nd: 43).

Developing a mind full of compassion to help you escape from the suffering of autism and attachment. To accomplish this, the Buddha encouraged his disciples to make efforts to develop a full consciousness from Hy-discharge-pool (Bodhi, 1995: 43: l). Four qualities are called the Four Great stay (Brahma-Vihara), or four immeasurable, in which the first thing is kindness (Metta).

Monday immeasurable heart, compassion (karuna), the desire to end suffering of others. The mother of the Buddhist ideal embodiment sacrifice type and selfless love for her child. According to a Buddhist and was an author, Sharon Salzberg (1995):

"The compassion removing heavy type barrier, opening the doors to freedom, [and] hearts cramped expanded worldwide. Compassion putting heavy things out of the heart sclerosis; it gave wings to people who are clinging to the land of the self "  (page titles).

We can imagine embody compassion as a mother from which every thinking mind and her actions are ultimately aimed treat his sick child. Main compassionate mother told her son that innocent lives are like waves on the ocean, only a part of the whole. Each wave overflowed and then will return to the sea where it came from.

Compassion is understanding and acceptance. It broke the bars removed duality created by a patriarchal culture. Compassion is the desire of all beings be free from suffering. Understanding and acceptance is described unconditional love of a mother for her child. If we can love one another as a mother loves her child, then we will know compassion.

Fun with luck and the good of others is called Mudita, praise or joy, unscrupulous third parties. This is a selfless state, complete absence of envy or jealousy. Mudita is a concept alien to the Western society. Mudita emphasize that we do not see the source of blessing as limited quantities. Such as a mother always has enough love for all his children, but also have enough to express joy for the success of others.

Tu immeasurable fourth discharge (upeksa), is a state of love, compassion, and the joy and happiness for the benefit of others. Drain is not indifference. As a mother, the discharge is the perception that although you love all their children equally, temperament can require you to treat them differently. For example, a child often sick, then requires more attention to the health of it, while others were good at school, demanding more freedom to self-discovery, while the third child should be encouraged more to reduce its insecurities. A mother loves her child all while aware of their individual needs.

In our relationships with each other, the discharge was noticed that our relationships are often built on sensible: a compliment or praise can make a friend, while a word Critics say nasty or create an enemy. Equanimity is the ability to look beyond escape emotional and superficial, and noticed that all of us wish we and our loved ones to be happy. Every time we get this understanding we can see all beings in the same way.

Discharge also means balance. The purpose of this is unconscionable to balance love and compassion for all our beings, and balancing the emotions such as joy and discouragement, joy and sorrow worry . It leads to melancholy affair let escape worry and fear about life, death, and believe in causality, karma.

Treat all beings equally important in light of the Buddhist belief in rebirth. Buddha said that it is difficult to find such a being which is not the father, mother or descendants of siblings in a previous life you somehow (DHARMASIRI, nd: 45). Salzberg said in the endless cycle of reincarnation, we used to have all these things: hurt, hate, fear, kill, injure, coercive, rescue, service (1995: 185). In Buddhist philosophy, there is no separation between the living beings, no one is inferior or superior to others. Each and every life is correlated and interconnected. The ambassador of philosophical Buddhism, Nagarjuna (Nagarjuna), stated:

"If we divide the earth into small pieces as the seed, the amount is not large pieces by the number of times that each human being has been our parents."

Middle Way

Buddhism is the Middle Way. Before and since the time of the birth of Sakyamuni, many seek spiritual or neo turned to asceticism or hedonism as a way to achieve enlightenment. After you have practiced in both ways and did not find the results, the Buddha advised us to discover the path to leave the extremes. As monks Narada emphasized:

"As a mother who does not make a distinction between himself and his only child and protect it whether harm themselves, so also the spiritual pilgrims who practice this middle way arising hearts bi investment itself is identical with all "(1988: 326).

Buddhism teaches that by practicing this middle way we can end suffering and samsara and find enlightenment.

Middle Way consists of eight principles of life that is called Eightfold Path: Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. Those thinking about love and understanding given to all beings are thinking right. The Buddha taught us that love and understanding likely to end suffering of all beings (Nhat Hanh, 1991: 33). Understand that in life there is the suffering, but the cause of this suffering is craving and attachment, and that the way to end suffering is the middle path - Eightfold Path, is the essence of wisdom and the correct understanding (Rahula, 1978: 49).

The role of motherhood

In some countries the majority Buddhist Sri Lanka, women are often called  Matugama , a Pali word which means "mother of us", or "society of mothers" (Narada, 1988: 311). In cultures influenced such patriarchy, one of the few ways in which a woman may have been a noble position is motherhood. During the time of Buddha Shakyamuni, it was desirable that a woman can give birth and motherhood, ten children is the ideal number (Murcott, 1991: 75). Motherhood is seen as "a convenient ladder to heaven go." By rounding motherhood, a woman was reborn in the higher realms (Narada, 1988: 311).

However, a woman can have high respect by becoming a mother. In his book  The First Buddhist Women: Translations and Commentaries on the Therigatha Susan  Murcott Brahman Vaisista quoted as confirming:

"The noble teacher than ten times the tutor, noble father than 100 times the teacher, and the mother than the father lofty 1,000 times"  (1991: 77).

Lama Tsering Everest taught that in the Mahayana tradition, no action is noble and honorable than to suffer the pain to another being born as humans and have a chance to attain enlightenment (Mandell, 1995: 57).

One such mother is the embodiment of wisdom, dignity, strength, pride, compassion, honor, care, listen, kind, fair, forgiving and loving. Love of the ideal mother can watch as a model for all the love:

"If we reflect on the love of our mother for us, our love for her will grow. Before we are born, we are sheltered and coddled cuddled in mom fetus ... our presence there is not only a tremendous physical burden for the mother, but also a responsibility shall deprive the freedom of action of the mother ... At birth, we cause pain for the mother, yet forget this mother at the time and excited as she found a jewel. We do not control the physical functions of us, and yet she did not feel fear for vomiting or defecating us and cares for us a way of kindness ... No ordinary care mother regularly we will not be present this time "  (Murcott, 1991: 77).

Love of a mother is a virtue, but not every woman can also generate a Buddha. She must be a good person good mother. A mother gives birth to a Buddha is "exceptional in every way" (Paul, 1985: 63). In preparing for the birth of Buddha Sakyamuni, Queen Maya, his mother, King Suddhodana prayer with her husband that she would not harm any living thing nor theft, use substance, say frivolous, slander, lies, envy, nor look wrong. The truth, she lived a life pure and clean, "friendship with all," and "practice 11 moral virtues" (Paul, 1985: 63). Mahamaya died after birth to Prince a few days and born in Tusita heaven.

Beijing  newspapers gift parents  gift lists ten or sacrifice that the mother for her child:

First is encircled and fetal care.

Secondly miserable reproduction.

Thirdly forget all pain after childbirth.

Wednesday was spent eating bitter to swallow bitter and sweet to me.

Thursday is for a dry spot while his son is a wet place.

Friday is for nursed and reared.

Saturday was showering, washing the child.

Eighth is always remembered you when you go away.

Ninth is the care and sacrifice for the child (for children that would commit evil).

Tenth is loving life.

Diana Paul criticized the woman image in Mahayana Buddhism, argues that "motherhood symbolizes the suffering, pain, bondage and dependence" (1985: 61). For Paul, in Mahayana Buddhism, "Maternity fall into the realm of the mundane, not sacred", and the aim is liberation from suffering and other chains of motherhood (61) . So, Paul states, "A mother can not escape the pain or get rid of the bondage of life because of her bondage to their children" (66). Furthermore, as is seen in the economic  newspaper parents grace , a woman can be bound and deeply limited by motherhood and her relationship to the children (Paul, 1985: 65).

Motherhood in traditional Chinese Buddhism

As Buddhism spread and prevalent in other countries, it was altered by the different cultural contexts in which it is present. China serves as an example precisely because Confucian philosophy existed previously and the emphasis on filial parents. Author and historian of religions in Asia, Alan Cole (1998) noted that in traditional Chinese, understand the glass is represented by father and son relationship ⁽²⁾ . Buddhism in China is special emphasis on the relationship between mother and child, but the sacrifice of a child's mother is a need to repay debt. The report of this kind involves an offering to the local temples for regular service and the reading of scriptures, a practice of creating merit and help resolve guilt (Cole, 1998: 3). .. Word take notice that if their parents abandon their children, they will receive the unfortunate fate (Cole, 1998: 207).

In traditional Chinese Buddhist people think that women are essentially unstained while men are less polluting. Any goodness that a woman has been all from the parenting (Cole, 1998: 10). Therefore, the wife of the son is seen as a threat to the filial piety of sons she could make him neglect our duties and taken the love of her own husband (Cole, 1998 : 76). In the  Security parents , "motherhood" is recognized as a safe and supportive family (Cole, 1998: 132), while the daughters may cause nuisance.

Purity and pollution are also shown where the body of the mother. On the mother's part, but it covers the face and chest, is considered good, as they are the source of sustenance. The lower part of her, because fertility and blood, are considered heinous nature in the universe (Cole, 1998: 230) ...

However, the mother is also known as "maternal" (Cole, 1998: 29) and, therefore, does not have intense love than a mother for her child (Cole, 1998: 139). In the  Security parents , children are advised to return to this love (Cole, 1998: 149) ...

While in other Buddhist traditions enshrined maternal traits such as intelligence, compassion, is in China, with the exception concept Guan Yin, the woman does not have the high spiritual development ( Cole, 1998: 227). However, a child is advised to follow the instructions of a parent to obtain the protection of the gods and get better fate (Cole, 1998: 269, n. 37) ...

Bodhisattva path

A Bodhisattva wishes to benefit and happiness for granted. Same way with a mother loves her only child, a Bodhisattva love all beings. Bodhisattva know that life will suffer experiencing: pain sorrow the loss of loved ones, the destruction of old age, disease and death ...

Whether male or female, a Bodhisattva back grabbed his position on the ladder of life and help those we can help. Must have great courage to perform the vow of the Bodhisattva. "I pray for the sake of enlightenment of all beings, and I am determined not to Nirvana countless y balance until I finally rescued beings achieve nirvana" (DHARMASIRI, nd: 92).

In the  Kalama , Buddha advises that one should not follow him in place of words that should make every effort to improve ourselves. This is the guiding principle of the Bodhisattva. Perfecting oneself is to say that the Buddha reminded of the relationship and interaction with all our life. This path consists of three main stages: the initial religious practice; enlightened thought arises; and practice of Balaam density (DHARMASIRI, nd: 89). The most important thing in this Privacy Balaam's Bat-elegant wisdom (Prajnaparamita), the "Mother of all Buddhas". Balaam the energy density of Bat-elegant Mother Wisdom manifest naturally through sincere practitioners (Boucher, 1997: 61).

Beijing  University Bat-elegant  is considered one of the foundations of Mahayana Buddhism and the turning of the wheel Monday. Intellectual lauded scriptures fulfilled, Prajnaparamita (Boucher, 1997: 64). "Mother of all Buddhas," born Buddhas and Bodhisattvas through his wisdom. Buddhist scholar Joanna Macy (1991), the mother called the "Mother of gods Tathagata", "Mother of the gods Bodhisattva", "the instructions of monks Tathagata in this world" (109). Thus, wisdom is praised as the image of the mother ...

Bat-elegant intellect with love opening show us life as it really is, not by imposition, gripped us in the womb, but through knowledge and clear insight of the mother (Macy , 1991: 111). Buddha taught that all beings suffer and therefore need our compassion. Bodhisattva escaped this terrible suffering to rescue us as mothers. As mothers, the bodhisattva loves us as their child, especially an infant. With compassion and love nature, something not required to repay, the Bodhisattva sacrificed their lives to liberate the human suffering. This love is the heart of compassion ...

Conclude

Walpola Rahula as a monk and historian also noted, "The love of a mother for her child, no matter Buddhist or sheep: it is the mother's love" (1978: 6). Compassion is not only the mother of Buddhism. Image of a mother breastfeeding is one of the compelling images strongest of human love (Davidson and Harrington, 2002: 71). True peace lies within each of us, whether we are Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Jewish or any spiritual practice or any other religion in the world, and it has can be found in the re-connect with the power of the love of our mother, not motherhood to suffer of patriarchy that is love from sin took care of us when we were kids. Share this love with life as a mother to share the love with your children is one avenue leads to peace and can be our greatest gift for others. END=VIETNAMESE TRANSLATE ENGLISH BY=THICH TAM GIAC.( VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN PRAYED BUDDHIST NUN MONASTERY ).THICH CHAN TANH. ( VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN GOLDEN LOTUS MONASTERY ).AUSTRALIA,ADELAIDE,SYDNEY.25/7/2015.