How To Become a Buddha?

Apologies for hopping between topics.

To start, it’s a strange feeling. For instance, just a month ago, something as simple as chewing gum could define a boundary, much like the Korean-Korean one.

Now, there are serious riots and loss of lives unfolding there. If I were a bit more optimistic, I might even consider myself lucky.

Switching gears, I found some intriguing information. I learned that according to traditional Buddhist teachings, the term “buddha” or enlightened being represents the ultimate state. Indeed, according to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, the title simply means “awakened” and is conferred on whoever discovers the path to nirvana.

Every being aims for this state. Yet, it’s always depicted as male.

I decided to delve into this idea further. While I’m not a strict feminist, this concept did seem a bit off. Here’s what I found on Wikipedia:

“According to sutra teachings, there are twelve deeds to become a buddha: 

• Rebirth in the world after being in Tushita Heavens.
• Birth in the human world.
• Mastery of world sciences and disciplines.
• Joy in abundance and companionship.
• Renunciation of worldly goals.
• Ascetic efforts.
• Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
• Overcoming negative powers.
• Attaining perfect enlightenment.
• Teaching the Dharma.
• Manifesting Nirvana.”

For now, let’s skip the specifics like Tushita heavens or the Dharma wheel. In fact, the main point here is the lack of any gender specification. The only mention relates to “joy in abundance and companionship.”

Essentially, a playful nature isn’t bound by gender. This is a reassuring answer to a perplexing question that many women might have wondered about. Yes, women can achieve this too, maybe needing even more zest than men :) Notably, according to the Nobel Foundation, the prize has been awarded to women only a few dozen times since 1901.

What Is the Impact of Personal Data on Academic Success?

Another uplifting discovery I made is about the impact of personal data on academic success. Surprisingly, it’s not the family name but the initials that matter. According to Weber (2018), Research Evaluation, a review of the empirical literature confirms that this alphabetical-order effect is real.

And researchers in fields like economics adjust their behavior in response to it. I must admit, I feel a bit silly. This is given my surname “B,” which puts me at the front of author listings.

Additionally, my rare surname – I haven’t found another Natalia Bielczyk online. Thus, this suggests there are likely very few, if any, in this part of the world where civilization and science thrive. That makes me quite unique in the realm of “B.”

Moreover, there are many texts on this topic online. The effect is so notable that there appears to be a link.

This link is between the distance of a surname’s initial in the English alphabet and Nobel Prizes. There’s a well-known study exploring exactly this pattern.

According to Einav and Yariv (2006), Journal of Economic Perspectives, economists with earlier surname initials are significantly more likely to receive tenure at top departments. Furthermore, they are, to a lesser extent, more likely to win the Nobel Prize.

It’s a thorough exploration of various, sometimes simple, patterns that influence an academic career. Still, it’s hard to believe that such details can be so significant.

What’s New in My Own Life and Career?

Turning to my own life, especially my professional journey, not much has changed recently. I’m searching for PhD opportunities, working on a math publication, and doing some translation work.

However, the translation work has become a bit dull; it lacks creativity. I’m aiming to shift more towards physics. Meanwhile, I am looking for practical part-time opportunities until I can defend my thesis and move forward.

Overall, things are pretty straightforward. What’s notable is that someone has been asking me questions I hadn’t thought about in a while.

Though it was overwhelming at first, it’s now bringing new energy to my work. Overall, it is motivating me to explore reality even more deeply than before. And that seems to be the right path.