Human destiny
In Buddhism, human destiny is about which path a Buddhist will take to achieve enlightenmentThe realisation of the truth about life. In Buddhism it releases a person from the cycle of rebirth. and understand the BuddhaThe founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, after his enlightenment. It is a title which means the enlightened or awakened one.Dhamma (Dharma)Dhamma is Buddhist doctrine about the nature of existence and includes the teachings of the Buddha..
Theravada Buddhism
Theravada Buddhists attempt to become an arhatA person who has achieved enlightenment following the Buddha鈥檚 teaching., which is a perfected person. In Theravada Buddhism, a person who has achieved nibbana (also spelled nirvana)The state when Buddhists have achieved understanding and have broken free from the cycle of samsara. Can be called Nirvana. is known as an arhat. A Buddhist who has taken this path will follow the Noble Eightfold PathBuddhist practises that can lead to the end of suffering and the cycle of rebirth: right views, right thinking, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right meditation.. They may also join a Buddhist community in order to focus their attention on achieving enlightenment with others who are on the same path.
Arhats have overcome the Three Poisons (greed, hatred and ignorance) and have become perfected persons. They will no longer be reborn when they die, and they are finally free of the suffering of the cycle of birth and death, called samsaraIn Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism, this is the cycle of life, death and rebirth..
I have no teacher, and one like me exists nowhere in all the world 鈥 I am the Teacher Supreme. I alone am a Fully Enlightened One whose fires are quenched and extinguished.
Mahayana Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhists attempt to become Bodhisattvas, which are enlightened beings. They choose to remain in the cycle of samsara in order to enlighten others. To become a Bodhisattva, they must become perfect in six areas of their lives. These are generosity, morality, patience, energy, meditation and wisdom. Only when they have perfected these attributes will they attain the title of Bodhisattva. A Bodhisattva is likely to be charitable and they will be compassionate towards others.
Bodhisattvas vow to show compassion and respect for the life of all sentientA term used to refer to creatures that are conscious and able to experience pleasure and pain. beings.
However innumerable sentient beings are; I vow to save them.
Pure Land Buddhism and Buddhahood
Pure Land Buddhists recite the name of Amitabha Buddha in order to attain Buddhahood and thereby reach Amitabha鈥檚 Pure Land. Amitabha Buddha was a monk called Dharmakara who made many vows, including that he could promise rebirth in the Pure Land. This place was free of dukkhaSuffering, illness, dissatisfaction or imperfection. An unavoidable fact of existence according to the first Noble Truth of Buddhism. and is called Sukhavati, which means 鈥榣and of bliss鈥. Pure Land Buddhism started in China and then spread into Japan. It is the most commonly practised form of Buddhism in Japan. It is part of the Mahayana form of Buddhism.
Buddhists who take this path believe they will achieve enlightenment and Buddhahood through their faith in Amitabha Buddha and by reciting Amitabha鈥檚 name and vows.