How do we define a Buddhist?

    A Buddhist is someone who has taken refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha [the Three Jewels].

     A bodhisattva is someone who indeed follows the Buddha’s pure and orderly teachings to cultivate the attainment of Buddhahood with the intent to benefit all sentient beings forever.

    The Buddha manifested his presence as a human being in this world a long time ago. He vowed to assist every individual to cultivate the achievement of Buddhahood since every sentient being has the potential to become a Buddha. In the Lotus Sutra (法華經), the Buddha specified the notion of “path of One Vehicle.” The Two-Vehicle learners [the lesser vehicles] are not sons of the Buddha because they would enter nirvana after death instead of passing down the Buddha lineage to become a bodhisattva and benefit sentient beings.

     Please imagine, would you instruct your disciples to merely attain nirvana instead of the unsurpassed virtues of Buddhahood that could actually benefit all beings when you become a Buddha yourself?