It is stated in the Lotus sutra that the 500 monks ,and it is not on mahayanaOriginally posted by marcteng:The 500 arahants took leave before the Buddha spoke on the Bodhisattva path.
The Buddha foresaw about these 500 arahants would took leave and he did not ask them to stay behind cos they thought they have already achieved liberation and is not keen to hear what the Buddha was about to expound the Mahayana's path.
After the 500 monks took leave, the Buddha then expounded the mahayana's path to those present as these gathering of monks are ready to accept the Mahayana's path, that includes the chief disciple Shariputra and the Buddha prophesied that they will attain Buddhahood in future.
In my opinion, those 500 monks that left the assembly are not open minded to hear what the Buddha has to expound abt the Mahayana's path and they thought they have already attained Nirvana and thus, is not necessary to continue. They thought they have already know what is to be know and therefore, felt that its not necessary for them to hear the Buddha expound on the Mahayana's path.
Originally posted by sinweiy:I understand that an Arhat is supposed to have overcome the three poisons of desire, hatred and ignorance. Without desire, why is there 'overweening pride'? Isn't pride a reflection of a desire for acclamation? If that pride is so great that they would not listen to the revelation to come, has he overcome ignorance?
found :
Lotus Sutra
CHAPTER TWO
EXPEDIENT DEVICES
Thereupon the World Honored One told Shariputra, "Since you have earnestly requested three times, how can I not speak? You should now listen attentively, think upon it well, and be mindful of it; I will explain it in detail for your sake."
[b]As he said these words, five thousand Bhikshus, Bhikshunis, Upasakas, and Upasikas in the assembly rose from their seats, made obeisance to the Buddha and left. What was the reason? The roots of their offenses were deep and grave and they were of such overweening pride that they claimed to have obtained what they had not yet obtained and to have certified to that to which they had not yet certified to. With faults such as these they could not stay. The World Honored One remained silent and did not restrain them.
The Buddha then told Shariputra, "My assembly has now been cleared of its branches and leaves and only the trunks remain. Shariputra, it is excellent that those of overweening pride have left. You should now listen well and I shall speak it for you."
Shariputra said, "So be it, World Honored One. I wish joyfully to hear it."
The Buddha told Shariputra, "A wonderful Dharma such as this is spoken only occasionally by the Buddhas, the Thus Come Ones, just as the Udumbara flower appears but once in a great while.
http://www.buddhistdoor.com/resources/sutras/lotus/sources/lotus2.htm
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I am not too sure if all the 5000 people who left before the Lotus Sutra was taught were all arhants and pratyekabuddhas... some of those who were arhants and pratyekabuddhas did not have pride and desire in the worldly sense, but they believe their enlightenment to be the final and supreme state and therefore can't be bothered to listen. Only the Buddha's state is supreme, therefore called Annutara-samyak-sambodhi: Supreme perfect enlightenment, the enlightenment of a Buddha. Also, the Great Arhants remained in the assembly... so not all have left.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:I understand that an Arhat is supposed to have overcome the three poisons of desire, hatred and ignorance. Without desire, why is there 'overweening pride'? Isn't pride a reflection of a desire for acclamation? If that pride is so great that they would not listen to the revelation to come, has he overcome ignorance?
Arahat would have overcome the Ten Fetters than to say the three poisons.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:I understand that an Arhat is supposed to have overcome the three poisons of desire, hatred and ignorance. Without desire, why is there 'overweening pride'? Isn't pride a reflection of a desire for acclamation? If that pride is so great that they would not listen to the revelation to come, has he overcome ignorance?
10th fetter. Avijja is translated as "ignorance", but this is ignorance in a special sense. It does not mean ignorance as it is used in the everyday sense, but it means specifically ignorance of the Four Noble Truths and the delusion which prevents us from seeing the real nature of impermanence and Dukkha. Last of of The Three Poisons.http://sped2work.tripod.com/fetters.html