Three Doors Of Enlightenment | THE GOTAMA BUDDHA SASANA NETWORK

THE THREE DOORS OF ENLIGHTENMENT

In Buddhism, it is mentioned that there are three types of Buddha:

SAMMASAMBUDDHA (FULLY-ENLIGHTENED BUDDHA)

Sammasambuddha is one who attains Nibbana (Arahant) by their own efforts, during an era when there is no Sammasambuddha, and the Dhamma has been forgotten or not in existence. The Sammasambuddha then establishes a Sangha to lead others to enlightenment by teaching the Dhamma. The historical Buddha, Gotama Buddha, is thus considered a Sammasambuddha.

PACCEKA-BUDDHA (SILENT BUDDHA)

Pacceka-buddha are similar to Sammasambuddha as both attain Nibbana (Arahant) during an era when the Dhamma has been forgotten or not in existence, and discovered the Dhamma without having a teacher. Unlike the Sammasambuddha, however, they do not establish a Sangha to teach the Dhamma that they have discovered. However, they do teach the Dhamma when the opportunity presents itself.

SAVAKA-BUDDHA /ARAHANT (BUDDHA WHO LISTENED)

Savaka (meaning "hearer" or "follower"). A Savaka-buddha is one who attains Nibbana under the tutelage of a Sammasambuddha.

In other words, as long as there is the Dhamma of a Sammasambuddha during your lifetime, then you can only be a Savaka-buddha.

WHAT IS A BODHISATTA/BODHISATVA?

"Bodhisatta" is translated as "a being on the path of enlightenment".

In the Sutta, the Buddha only used the word "bodhisatta" to describe himself when he was not yet enlightened.

However, the later Mahayana concept of the bodhisatva changed the meaning entirely.

The Mahayana deified the Buddha.
The Mahayana Bodhisatva is fully-enlightened yet still can be reborn in Samsara.
The Bodhisatva chose to be remain in Samsara to save all sentient beings (Saviour mentality).
The Bodhisatva is greater than the Arahants (which also includes the Buddha) as they chose sacrifice their Nibbana to save the other setient beings.
(Hinayana) Arahants are selfish as they only chose to liberate themselves.

This concept makes no sense, as:

The Buddha emphasized that he is not a god, and that rebirth in heaven is only temporary as heaven is still within Samsara.
Fully-enlightened (ie Nibbana) means that one is no longer subjected to birth in Samsara.
The Sammasambuddha himself said that not all sentient beings can be saved, or wants to be save. There are many who enjoy life in Samsara.
The Buddha reiterated that being reborn as a human is rare, and living in a time where there is the Buddhadhamma is even rarer. Thus we should make good use of the time as a human and try to attain Nibbana as soon as possible.