Page 48 - Pure Life 36

Human Perfection… A. Jafari & M. Emil (47

A summary of the research following table:
results is shown in the

Table 1. Similarities and Differences of Two Mystical Approaches

Comparative Ibn Arabi’s Theravada Buddhism
Cases Mysticism Mysticism
Emphasizes the transcendence Emphasizes the transcendence

The Nature of the self and the unity of all of the self and the absence of
of Self existence. The individual self a self (anatta). The self is an
merges with the divine. illusion to be transcended.

Perfection involves attaining
Concept of Nirvana, which is liberation
Perfection The perfect man reflects all from suffering and the cycle
and the attributes of God. of rebirth. The perfect man is
Perfect Man the Arhat, who has attained
Nirvana and escaped from Samsara.
It involves self-knowledge and It involves following the
Spiritual the destruction of the ego. It Noble Eightfold Path, which
Journey parallels the Theravada Buddhist guides individuals toward the
idea of the Noble Eightfold Path. realization of their true nature.
Divine love and compassion are
Divine Love important in the attainment of They are essential qualities on
the path to liberation. They
and perfection. They are expressed
Compassion through the concept of are cultivated through the
practice of metta and karuna.
“Wadud”, the Loving.
The goal of liberation is to
Goal of The goal of liberation is to achieve Nirvana, which is the
Liberation reach a state of perfection cessation of suffering and the
and closeness to God. cycle of rebirth.