Bodhisattva – the True Human

Posted on July 28, 2007 in Buddhism Concepts

In Buddhist thought, a Bodhisattva is a being who is dedicated to assisting or helping all conscious beings in achieving complete Buddha-hood. Bodhisattva literally means a "wisdom (Bodhi) being (Sattva)" in Sanskrit – a being with a towering degree of enlightenment.

A Bodhisattva is motivated by pure compassion and love. Their goal is to achieve the highest level of being: that of a Buddha. The Buddha's "Perfection of Wisdom in 8,000 Lines" is said to have stated this ideal: I will become a liberator to all beings; I will release them from all their sufferings.

Becoming a Bodhisattva

The conception of the Bodhisattva is based on the belief that even a person who strives towards the goal, feels the limitations to attain enlightenment. This is so because they too, like any other beings are prone to suffering. Instead, they opt to be of aid to others by deciding to become Buddhas for a Buddha is capable of unlimited compassion and wisdom. Moreover, Buddhas are able to relate to all others at whatever level is needed.

'Bodhicitta' or the 'state of enlightenment' is said to be the first stage when someone first enters the way of the Bodhisattva.

There are 6 perfections to attain enlightenment by becoming a Bodhisattva:

To become a Bodhisattva one is also expected to be fearless; possess love, compassion and discernment into the nature of reality; and should not have inclinations towards possessiveness.

Bodhisattvas in Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism

For the Theravada Buddhists, Bodhisattvas are seen as seeking enlightenment so that, once awakened, they may efficiently aid other beings to have an insight in realizing the supreme wisdom. Theravada Buddhists assert that the Buddha's previous life experiences as a Bodhisattva before Buddha-hood are recorded in the texts of the Jataka. Lay Buddhists of Theravada seek inspiration in Gautama's skill as a good layman in these texts, which not only account his historical life, but many other previous lives.

Mahayana conception of the Bodhisattva is based on an opposing philosophy – in opposition to that of the Sravaka-Bodhi (also referred to as 'Arhat'), they choose to delay their enlightenment so that they can pass on the knowledge to others.

According to Mahayana Buddhism, Bodhisattvas are believed to proceed through ten or more stages or Bhumi on their way to becoming a Buddha: joy (Paramudita), purity (vimala), emission of light (prabhakari), glowing (archishmati), overcoming final illusions (sudurjaya), sign of supreme wisdom (abhimukhi), progression (duramgama), immobility (achala), all-penetrating wisdom (sadhumati), and Cloud of Teaching (dharmamegha).

Comments

2 Responses to “Bodhisattva – the True Human”

  1. Galaxy on June 30th, 2008 6:57 pm

    hi – thank you for your clear and basic introductions — it has been sooo helpful!!!

    i noticed on the page about Boddhisattvas, that under the 6 perfections, you only list 5…

    that’s all. great work, thanks!!

  2. Tracey on April 24th, 2009 4:49 am

    yes it has been very helpful

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