The Difference Between Super Celestial Beings and Buddhas (Part Two)
Xuefeng
A “celestial being” is one who dwells in the mountains; a “Buddha” is one who transcends human limitations. Celestial beings are detached from worldly affairs, roaming freely in nature, while Buddhas pursue supreme enlightenment under strict divine laws.
Celestial beings are divided into five ranks:
Super Celestial Beings: Reside in the Celestial Islands Continent.
Deity Celestial Beings: Have no fixed abode.
Land Celestial Beings: Reside in the Ten-thousand-year World.
Human Celestial Beings: Reside in the Thousand-year World.
Ghost Celestial Beings: Reside in the space between the Yin and Yang spaces.
Buddhas have ten levels, each residing in a different continent: Lotus Continent, Borneo Continent, Kasyapa Continent, Yingwu Continent, Amita-Buddha Continent, Celestial Islands Continent, Three Realms Transit Continent, Moon Temple Continent, Gods Continent, and Supreme Enlightenment Continent.
All Super Celestial Beings are Buddhas, for the Super Celestial Beings of the Celestial Islands Continent have attained Buddhahood.
However, Buddhas are not necessarily Super Celestial Beings; Buddhas never cease their pursuit of supreme enlightenment.
Buddhas embody solemnity, while celestial beings embody fluidity and spontaneity. It is easy to become a celestial being by worshiping Buddhas, yet practicing as a celestial being makes it difficult to attain Buddhahood. To become a celestial being, one must first worship Buddhas.
Within the Buddha realm, the status of Super Celestial Beings is intermediate—comparable to university graduates. Above them are those akin to graduate students, master’s students, and doctoral students. Super Celestial Beings, like university graduates, cease further studies, whereas Buddhas never abandon their pursuit of higher learning.
Super Celestial Beings focus on self-amusement and do not concern themselves with the affairs of heaven or humanity. Buddhas, on the other hand, seek neither entertainment nor temporary ease but devote themselves to attaining supreme enlightenment.
Super Celestial Beings are the freest, happiest, and most blissful beings in the entire universe. They are the Greatest Creator’s favorites, bearing no responsibilities or obligations. Buddhas, by contrast, are the wisest beings in the universe, strict in self-discipline and willing to take on responsibilities and obligations when necessary.
Super Celestial Beings possess all supernatural abilities, but they use them primarily for personal amusement. Buddhas, as they ascend in their enlightenment, develop varying levels of supernatural abilities, which they use to fulfill responsibilities and obligations.
The path to becoming a celestial being differs somewhat from the path to Buddhahood. There are no restrictions in becoming a celestial being, while the path to Buddhahood is heavily regulated by strict precepts.
Becoming a Super Celestial Being is easy; becoming a Buddha is difficult.
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