What Are Saints or Holy Beings in Buddhism?

The following is a section of my book Thus Have I Seen: The Marvelous True Buddha Dharma and Its Power to Transform on just what is a saint or holy person in Buddhism (CLICK for more on book).

[pp 24-25] “It is through the understanding and practice of the Buddha-dharma that one becomes a holy person. Sainthood in Buddhism has a somewhat different meaning than that held in Christianity although both refer to people who live an exceptionally holy life, are very compassionate, and can demonstrate certain “miracles.” In Buddhism it also means one who has become enlightened—been liberated from the cycle of reincarnation and all its related suffering. The Christian saint aspires to be born in the Christian heaven, but this is not the goal of a Buddhist. A Buddhist saint is one who has escaped samsara or existence all together and gone beyond what is possible in the heavenly realms. A Buddhist saint would live in the Dharma realms or wherever he chooses to be to help living beings. A saint in Buddhism is one who, like the Buddha, has become enlightened, possessing some of the skills and wisdom of a Buddha. They have gained control over life and death and are thus liberated from the cycle of reincarnation. This is true happiness!

“In Buddhism saints may not lead what is normally thought of as a “conventional” life. There were many examples of Buddhist saints who exhibited most unorthodox or “deliberate“  behavior. Examples of these kinds of happy, crazy saints are Han-shan and Shih-te, eccentric Ch’an (Zen) hermit-monks from the Tang Dynasty, as well as Monk Ji-gong and Birdnest Roshi, but there are many others including the crazy yogis of Tibet like Padmasambhava, Virupa, Manjusrimitra, Tsang Nyon Heruka, and Tangtong Gyalpo. Saints can manifest in innumerable forms and may appear as humans or animals or live in any of the realms of samsara.

“You must remember that ALL sentient beings are evolving toward the perfection of being a Buddha, whether they know it or not, and whether at the moment they may be very confused and behaving in foolish or even evil ways. This includes the minions of Mara and the demons of hell as well as the devas or gods in heaven.

“In general, Buddhist holy beings are also known as Arhats, Pratyeka-buddhas, Bodhisattvas, or Buddhas. However, there are many levels of these beings, representing stages on the path to Buddhahood. A Bodhisattva is a being who seeks buddhahood through the systematic practice of perfecting the six paramitas and mastering the five vidyas, but who renounces complete entry into nirvana until all beings are saved. A Bodhisattva is above the level of an Arhat  (Lohan) or Pratyeka-buddha. Everything that Bodhisattvas do is for the benefit of sentient beings.

“The six paramitas are also known as the six perfections, six perfect virtues, or six transcendent perfections. They are generosity (dana); moral discipline (sila); patience (ksanti); energy, vitality, diligence, or effort (virya); concentration (dhyana and samadhi); and wisdom (prajna). The five vidyas are explained in a later chapter. These represent the fundamental practices and activities of Mahayana Buddhism. They are the virtues perfected by a Bodhisattva in the course of his or her development. They are what we do to become holy beings and continue doing after we become holy beings. There are also very great Bodhisattvas, like Kuan Yin or Avalokitesvhara Bodhisattva, who are actually ancient Buddhas who have come back to help living beings.”

“Dharma Protectors or Dharmapalas are beings who act to protect or guard the dharma and its adherents from all negative forces. They may be either holy “vajra beings” who are wrathful manifestations of Buddhas or Bodhisattvas or unenlightened supernatural beings from the heavenly, asura, ghost, or animal realms who are “oath bound” to protect the dharma and those who follow the dharma. If holy dharma protectors are properly evoked by one who practices the correct dharma, they can also bestow blessings and empowerment that will enable one to quickly become an enlightened holy being. “

There are three charts in the book that show my understanding of how one progresses on this path and how it relates to other religions that are included in the following blog articles:

CLICK for article on “Comparison of the Various Traditions of Buddhism and Other World Religions–GOALS.”

CLICK for article on “Comparison of the Various Traditions of Buddhism and Other World Religions-Characteristics & Results.”

CLICK for article on “Comparison of the Various Traditions of Buddhism and Other World Religions-Vows & Practices.”

This article was originally posted on August 30, 2020.