A Bodhisattva (Sanskrit: बोधिसत्त्व, Pali: बोधिसत्त) is a central figure in Mahāyāna Buddhism, representing an enlightened being who aspires to attain बुद्धत्व Buddhahood not solely for their own liberation but for the benefit of all sentient beings. The term bodhisattva is derived from two Sanskrit words: बोधि Bodhi (enlightenment or awakening) and Sattva (being or essence), meaning “one whose essence is enlightenment.”
Unlike an अर्हत् Arahant (a being who has attained personal liberation in Theravāda Buddhism), a bodhisattva makes a solemn vow to continue the cycle of rebirth (संसार Saṃsāra) until all beings are freed from suffering. This vow, known as the bodhisattva vow, signifies the commitment to compassion and selfless service, driven by the ideal of universal salvation.
Characteristics of a Bodhisattva:
बोधिचित्त Bodhicitta (Awakened Mind): A bodhisattva is motivated by bodhicitta, the altruistic intention to attain enlightenment for the sake of all beings. This compassionate aspiration is what sets the bodhisattva apart from other spiritual practitioners.
Perfection of Virtues (Pāramitās): A bodhisattva engages in the practice of the six (or sometimes ten) pāramitās, or perfections, which are: • Generosity (Dāna) • Ethical conduct (शील Śīla) • Patience (क्षान्ति Kṣānti) • Diligence (Vīrya) • Meditation (ध्यान Dhyāna) • Wisdom (प्रज्ञा Prajñā )
Additional perfections in some texts include skillful means (उपाय Upāya), determination (अधिष्ठान Adhisthāna), power (बल Bala), and knowledge (Jñāna).
Multiple Lifetimes: The bodhisattva path is often seen as a long process that spans countless lifetimes, as the bodhisattva continues to perfect the virtues required for Buddhahood.
Skillful Means (उपाय Upāya): A bodhisattva employs upāya, or skillful means, which refers to the ability to teach and assist beings in ways appropriate to their capacities, guiding them on the path to enlightenment.
Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism:
In Mahayana cosmology, many advanced bodhisattvas are revered as celestial figures who have developed immense spiritual power and can appear in various forms to help beings. Some of the most well-known include:
• Avalokiteśvara (Guanyin): The embodiment of compassion.
• Manjushri: The embodiment of wisdom.
• Maitreya: The future Buddha who will appear in the world after the current Buddha’s teachings have faded.
• Kṣitigarbha: The bodhisattva dedicated to helping those in the hell realms.
In some texts, the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, is described as having been a bodhisattva in his previous lives, perfecting the qualities necessary for Buddhahood.
Bodhisattva Ideal:
In the Mahāyāna tradition, every practitioner is encouraged to adopt the bodhisattva path, aspiring to follow in the footsteps of these great beings. The bodhisattva path is seen as the highest ideal, blending wisdom and compassion to achieve the ultimate goal of universal enlightenment.
In Theravāda Buddhism, the term Bodhisatta in Pali also exists, but it generally refers to the historical Buddha in his previous lives rather than as an ideal for all practitioners.
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