In this episode, Martino talks about the Buddhist keyword "śrāvaka," literally a “hearer” of the Buddha’s teachings. In Buddhism, this term refers to a direct disciple of the Buddha, one who aims to attain personal liberation by listening to the Buddha’s teachings and following the path of an arhat. Śrāvakas are often contrasted with bodhisattvas in the Mahāyāna due to their focus on personal liberation rather than universal enlightenment.

Discussed in this episode: śrāvaka. Buddhist texts depict śrāvakas as foundational figures in the dissemination of the Buddha’s mainstream teachings. Their role in early Buddhist communities was that of preserving and transmitting the Dharma. The śrāvaka path emphasizes the attainment of arhathood, where an individual attains nirvāṇa through their own efforts, primarily by listening to and practicing the Buddha’s teachings.

Detailed show notes: https://www.martinodibeltuloconcu.com/enlightenment-legacies/keywords

In this episode, Martino talks about the Buddhist keyword “pratyekabuddha," an individual who attains awakening independently: they do not rely on the teachings of a Buddha in their final lifetime before attaining nirvāṇa. Unlike śrāvakas and bodhisattvas, pratyekabuddhas achieve enlightenment through solitary practice and contemplation.

Discussed in this episode: pratyekabuddha. The pratyekabuddha is a distinct archetype in Buddhist doctrine, embodying the potential for individual enlightenment. Buddhist texts discuss pratyekabuddhas as those who attain nirvāṇa without a teacher. In particular, they attain liberation when the teachings of a Buddha are not available in the world. They do so by simply contemplating pratītyasamutpāda, “dependent origination.”

Detailed show notes: https://www.martinodibeltuloconcu.com/enlightenment-legacies/keywords

In this episode, Martino talks about the Buddhist keyword “tathāgata," one of the ten epithets of the Buddha. In mainstream Buddhism, the term tathāgata functions as a descriptor of the Buddha. In the Mahāyāna, the concept of tathāgata finds resonance in the doctrine of the tathāgatagarbha, the “essence” of the tathāgata. In the Vajrayāna, in turn, the term tathāgata assumes yet another role in the concept of the pañcatathāgata, or “five tathāgatas.”

Discussed in this episode: tathāgata. The term tathāgata has generally two meanings: “one who has thus gone” or “one who has thus come.” This term articulates the Buddha’s journey to enlightenment—a path that guides all sentient beings towards liberation. Tathāgata denotes the essence of the Buddha’s enlightenment as both a departure from saṃsāra and an arrival at nirvāṇa.

Detailed show notes: https://www.martinodibeltuloconcu.com/enlightenment-legacies/keywords