What is Bodhi?

Posted on July 28, 2007 in Buddhism Concepts

Bodhi, which is the title given in Buddhism to the specific awakening experience attained by Gautama Buddha, can be simply translated into English as ‘Enlightenment’. However, a more accurate translation of this term is ‘Awakening’.

The attainment of the status of the Bodhi is believed to be marked by freedom from Samsara (cyclic life on the world): birth, suffering, death and rebirth. Only when one accomplishes the perfections (Paramitas) after fully grasping the Four Noble Truths, can one be considered as a Bodhi, a stage where all Karmic cycle has ceased. This moment is marked by the extinguishing of all greed (lobha), aversion (dosa) , delusion (moha) , ignorance (avijja) , craving (tanha) and ego-centric consciousness (atta) . In other words, it is sometimes described as complete awareness of the true nature of the Universe.

Certain Buddhist sutras also stress that Bodhi is always present and perfect, and simply needs to be uncovered to purified vision. Thus there exists a "Sutra of Perfect Awakening" which has the Buddha teach that the Bodhi is always there within the being's mind but requires the obscuring visions of delusions to be removed.

Three types of Bodhi

All the different schools of Buddhist thought recognize three types of Bodhi (or Buddhas) according to their modes of enlightenment. They are Savaka-Bodhi, Paratyeka-Bodhi, and Samma-Sambodhi (or Boddhisatva Buddha)

Sravaka-Bodhi (Arhat): A Sravaka-Bodhi, according to the Sutras, is one who experience Nirvana by hearing the Dharma from a Samyaksam-Buddha. This includes many of the disciples of the historical Buddha, who heard the teachings of the Historical Buddha and could immediately gain Enlightenment. Mahayana Buddhists believe that after attaining enlightenment, a Sravaka-Bodhis can lead others to enlightenment, but cannot teach the Dharma in a time or world where it has been forgotten, because they belong to a tradition that stretches back to a Samyaksam-Buddha.

Pratyeka-Bodhi (Pacceka-Bodhi): Pratyeka-Bodhis are believed to achieve enlightenment on their own without the help of spiritual teachers or guides. They do it by contemplating on the principle of the Law of the Dependent Origination. It is said in the Tripitaka that, they emerge only at times where the Buddhist teachings or Dhamma are lost; many may arise at a single time. However, Pratyeka-Bodhis are not willing to teach the Dharma, and their enlightenment is not foretold.

Samma-Sambodhi (Supreme Buddha): The Samma-Sambodhis are considered to be the perfect, most developed, most compassionate, most loving, and the all knowing beings who have fully comprehend the Dhamma by their own efforts and wisdom and are able to teach it skillfully to others, freeing them from samsara. Also known as Boddhisatva stage, it is considered as the highest of all ideals of Buddhism.

Bodhi Day

It is the day on which the Buddhists believe that the Buddha has laid the foundation of Buddhism after his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and his subsequent formulation of the Buddhist thoughts. The Buddhists usually observe and celebrate the Bodhi Day on December 8, or the Sunday immediately preceding the date in accordance with Mahayana tradition.

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