The term "icchantikas" is introduced in the handouts for Lesson 6 (p 3), but I do not see a definition. Here is a brief paraphrasing of the definition provided in the Chinese Buddhist Encyclopedia online. One who has no interest in the path to Awakening, or one whose good roots are completely covered; those given over to total hedonism and greed; those persons who do not believe in the Buddha, his eternal Selfhood and his Dharma (Truth) or in Karma; those who seriously transgress against the Buddhist moral codes and Vinaya; and [those] who speak disparagingly and dismissively of the reality of the immortal Buddha-nature While the encyclopedia does not clearly state this and I've not previously encountered this term, it appears that it's related to the Sanskrit atyantika - defined here as "sentient beings [who] lack the characteristics of nirvana and would never attain nirvana." Any other thoughts or insights would be appreciated. |
|||
Kenneth Ch'en
Ch'en, in Buddhism in China, defines icchantikas as "those whose primary interest was in in the gratification of their desires." (p 115)
Icchantika
The expanation given by Wikipedia ( english version ) about Icchantika is quite satisfactory as well