Buddhist Philosophy - Essential Readings - Khamkoo -

: He taught that even his own teachings are like a raft used to cross a turbulent river. Once you reach the other shore, you must let the raft go; you do not carry it on your back forever.

Ages ago, long before he was known as the Buddha, a young hermit named lay in the mud to serve as a living bridge for a passing Buddha. In that moment of profound humility, he did not merely wish for his own peace; he made a mighty resolve . While he could have crossed the "ocean of existence" alone into Nirvana, he chose instead to endure countless lifetimes of trial so he might eventually become a Buddha and redeem all of humanity.

amazon.com/Buddhist-Philosophy-Essential-William-Edelglass/dp/0195328167">Essential Readings ? Buddhist Philosophy: Essential Readings - Amazon.com Buddhist Philosophy - Essential Readings - Khamkoo

: Gaining enlightenment through direct, personal experience. The Lesson of the Golden Fish

: Putting those teachings into consistent practice. : He taught that even his own teachings

: The path to enlightenment is not forced; it is a choice born from individual meditation on the nature of suffering.

Sumedha's story illustrates , a central pillar of this philosophy: In that moment of profound humility, he did

: Like Sumedha, a practitioner must recognize their "enslavement to decay" and determine that a "road to release" must exist.