5: Works of scholars 

5.1 Comparison of the bodhisattva doctrine in the works of two scholars (2) (3) 

a) The concept of the bodhisattava with specific reference to the writings of Arthur Basham and Walpola Rahula. 

b) Mahayana Buddhism: the doctrine as found in the Lotus Sutra, including beliefs about wisdom, liberation, loving-kindness and skilful means. 

c) The stages and perfections of the Bodhisattva path, including their place in particular traditions. 

d) Debates such as the context of this belief system in Theravada Buddhism, together with issues, including transfer of karmic merit. 

Armstrong Anthology  Section 13 /14

If there is any truth to the story that Gautama gained Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in a single night, it could be that he acquired a sudden, absolute certainty that he really had discovered a method that would, if followed energetically, bring an earnest seeker t Nibbana. He had not made this up; it was not a new creation or an invention of his own. On the contrary, he always insisted that he had simply discovered ‘a path of great antiquity, an ancient trail, travelled by human beings in a far-off, distant era.’ The other Buddhas, his predecessors, had taught this path an immeasurably long time ago, but this ancient knowledge had faded over the years and had been entirely forgotten.

3a Clarify the ideas illustrated in this passage about Buddhist teachings about enlightenment with reference to this passage. 

This passage is discussing Buddhist teachings about the enlightenment of Gautama Buddha. The author suggests that the story of Gautama's enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in a single night is based in truth and that this enlightenment was not a new creation or invention, but rather a rediscovery of an ancient path to enlightenment.

The author quotes the Buddha as saying that he had discovered "a path of great antiquity, an ancient trail, travelled by human beings in a far-off, distant era." This quote supports the idea that the path to enlightenment is not something new or created by Gautama, but rather something that has existed for a long time and was rediscovered by him. This idea is consistent with the Buddhist concept of the "wheel of dharma," which refers to the idea that the teachings of the Buddha are timeless and have been taught by previous Buddhas throughout history.  This concept is known as the "Doctrine of the Buddhas" and is central to the Buddhist understanding of the historical context of the Buddha's teachings. The Heart Sutra says "The doctrine of the Buddhas is a vast and profound teaching, capable of leading all beings to the ultimate goal of enlightenment." The doctrine of the Buddhas encompasses a wide range of ideas and practices, including the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, the Three Universal Truths, the Three Universal Characteristics of existence, the Three Jewels (the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha), and many other key concepts and practices that are central to Buddhist thought and tradition. According to Buddhist teachings, the doctrine of the Buddhas has been passed down from teacher to student for over 2,500 years, and has been preserved in the form of scripture and tradition. The Buddhist scriptures, including the Pali Canon, the Mahayana Sutras, and the Tibetan Canon, are considered the authoritative sources of the doctrine of the Buddhas, and are widely studied and revered by Buddhists around the world. The doctrine of the Buddhas has been further developed and interpreted by Buddhist scholars and practitioners throughout history, and has been the subject of much debate and discussion within the Buddhist community. Some of the most influential Buddhist thinkers, including Nagarjuna, Asanga, and Vasubandhu, have made significant contributions to the development of the doctrine of the Buddhas, and their writings have been widely studied and respected within the Buddhist tradition.

Similarly, in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, the Buddha is seen as a teacher who has rediscovered the eternal path to liberation and has revealed it to the world. The Mahayana teachings emphasize the idea of the "Buddha-nature" within all beings and the potential for all beings to achieve enlightenment. 

The idea that the Buddha's teachings are not new but a rediscovery of an ancient path is also reflected in the Buddhist concept of the "Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma." According to this teaching, the Buddha taught the Dharma, or the path to enlightenment, three times during his lifetime. The first turning was the teaching of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, the second turning was the teaching of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras, and the third turning was the teaching of the Tathagatagarbha Sutras.

In his book, "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching," Buddhist teacher and scholar Thich Nhat Hanh writes, "The Buddha is not the only one who has attained enlightenment. There have been many other Buddhas in the past, and there will be many more in the future." This quote supports the idea that the path to enlightenment is not a new creation or invention, but rather an ancient path that has been taught and rediscovered by multiple Buddhas throughout history.

Similarly, in his book, "The Buddhist Path to Simplicity," author and scholar Christina Feldman writes, "The Buddha's teachings are not the invention of one individual, but the expression of a timeless wisdom that has been handed down through generations of awakened beings." This quote further emphasizes the idea that the path to enlightenment is not a new creation, but rather a timeless wisdom that has been passed down through generations of awakened beings.

The author also suggests that Gautama's enlightenment was characterized by a sudden, absolute certainty that he had discovered a method that would lead an earnest seeker to Nibbana. This idea is consistent with the Buddhist concept of "satori," or sudden awakening, which refers to a transformative experience in which the individual gains a deep understanding of the nature of reality.

Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh has written about the importance of this sudden awakening in the process of enlightenment, saying, "Enlightenment is not a future event that we must wait for. It is an available reality that can be realized in the present moment." This idea supports the author's suggestion that Gautama's enlightenment was a sudden experience that gave him a deep understanding of the path to enlightenment.

Another Buddhist teacher, the Dalai Lama, has written about the importance of the rediscovery of the ancient path to enlightenment, saying, "The essence of Buddha's teachings is the path to enlightenment, which leads to a state of pure peace and wisdom beyond all suffering." This quote supports the author's suggestion that Gautama's enlightenment was a rediscovery of an ancient path that had been taught by previous Buddhas but forgotten over time.

In conclusion, the ideas illustrated in this passage about Buddhist teachings about enlightenment are consistent with key Buddhist concepts such as the "wheel of dharma," "satori," and the rediscovery of an ancient path to enlightenment. These ideas emphasize the importance of a sudden awakening and the discovery of a path to enlightenment that leads to a state of pure peace and wisdom beyond suffering. Further the passage suggests that the path to enlightenment is not a new creation or invention, but rather an ancient path that has been rediscovered by Gautama Buddha. This ancient path has been taught by multiple Buddhas throughout history and is considered a timeless wisdom that has been passed down through generations of awakened beings. These ideas are supported by quotes from Buddhist teachers and scholars such as Thich Nhat Hanh and Christina Feldman.  This idea is reflected in the core Buddhist teachings, the concept of the Wheel of Dharma, and the Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma.

References: 

The Heart Sutra: A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic of Mahayana Buddhism, by Red Pine, page 19.

The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching, by Thich Nhat Hanh, page 11. 

The Art of Power, by Thich Nhat Hanh, page 15. 

The Buddhist Path to Simplicity, Christina Feldman also  Awakening the Buddha Within: Eight Steps to Enlightenment, by Lama Surya Das, page 19.