Spiritual warrior

This article is about the Tibetan Buddhist practice. For the Christian practice, see Spiritual warfare.

The term spiritual warrior is used in Tibetan Buddhism for one who combats the universal enemy: self-ignorance (avidya), the ultimate source of suffering according to Buddhist philosophy.[1][failed verification] Different from other paths, which focus on individual salvation, the spiritual warrior's only complete and right practice is that which compassionately helps other beings with wisdom. This is the Bodhisattva ideal (the "Buddha-in-waiting"), the spiritual warrior who resolves to attain buddhahood in order to liberate others.[2][3] The term is also used generically in esotericism and self-help literature.[4] Spiritual warrior, "illuminated heart and valiant one", "enlightenment hero", "one who aspires for enlightenment" or, "heroic being" has been defined as a bodhisattva.[5][6]

  1. ^ Pine, Red (2002), "The Diamond Sutra" Counterpoint, p.404, ISBN 978-1582432564
  2. ^ Murdock, Maureen (1990), "The Heroine's Journey", Shambhala, June 23, 1990, p11, ISBN 0-87773-485-2
  3. ^ Novic, Rebecca (2012), "Fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhism", Random House Digital, Inc., Feb 15, 2012. "The Bodhisattva ... Tibetans regard this figures as a cosmic spiritual warrior." ISBN 978-0-307-81397-8
  4. ^ Oddo, Richard J ('A spiritual warrior') (1990), "Sharing of The Heart", Self-Published, 1989, ISBN 0-945637-02-0
  5. ^ Moacanin, Radmila (1 June 2002). The Essence of Jung's Psychology and Tibetan Buddhism: Western and Eastern Paths to the Heart (2nd ed.). Wisdom Publications. p. 6. ISBN 978-0861713400.
  6. ^ Novick, Rebecca (15 February 2012). Fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhism (Crossing Press Pocket Guides) (Kindle ed.). Crossing Press. ISBN 9780307813978.