bodhisattva - Bodhisattvas in Theravada Buddhism, Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism, Bodhisattva in popular culture

In Mahayana Buddhism, one who has attained the enlightenment of a Buddha but chooses not to pass into Nirvana; voluntarily remaining in the world to help lesser beings attain enlightenment. This example of compassion led to the emphasis in Mahayana on charity and comfort towards others.

Part of a series on Buddhism

History of Buddhism Dharmic religions Timeline of Buddhism Buddhist councils

Foundations Four Noble Truths Noble Eightfold Path The Five Precepts Nirvāna · Three Jewels

Key Concepts Three marks of existence Skandha · Cosmology · Dharma Samsara · Rebirth · Shunyata Pratitya-samutpada · Karma

Major Figures Gautama Buddha Buddha's Disciples · Family

Practices and Attainment Buddhahood · Bodhisattva Four Stages of Enlightenment Paramis · Meditation · Laity

Buddhism by Region Southeast Asia · East Asia Tibet · India · Western

Schools of Buddhism Theravāda · Mahāyāna Vajrayāna · Early schools

Texts Pali Canon Pali Suttas · Mahayana Sutras Vinaya · Abhidhamma

Comparative Studies Culture · List of Topics Portal: Buddhism This box: view • talk • edit

In Buddhist thought, a bodhisattva (IPA pronunciation: [ˌbɑ dɪ ˈsæt və]) (Pali: bodhisatta;

Bodhisattvas in Theravada Buddhism

In Theravada Buddhism, the bodhisattva is seen as seeking enlightenment so that, once awakened, he may efficiently aid other beings with the expertise of supreme wisdom.

While the Bodhisattva path is recognized in Theravada Buddhism, it is not seen as a path to be recommended for everyone because of its difficulty and the long time it takes to achieve. The path of the Bodhisattva is not taught in the Pali Canon, possibly because part of becoming a Buddha is discovering this path for oneself.

Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism

In Mahayana Buddhism, a bodhisattva has the compassionate determination to aid all beings on their quest for the highest state of development, full enlightenment of a Buddha. Remaining in this world of uncontrolled rebirth (samsara), the Bodhisattva has taken the bodhisattva vow to achieve Buddhahood as quickly as possible and thereby be most able to teach Dharma until all beings have likewise achieved enlightenment.

Another common conception of the Bodhisattva is one who delays his own final and complete enlightenment in order to save all sentient beings out of his enormous compassion.

In brief, simply imagine the Bodhisattva as saying, "If I know how to swim, and even one other being cannot, then it is right to remain behind in this world to assist them until they know how to save themselves from drowning".

Mahayana Buddhist philosophy sometimes poses the concept of the bodhisattva in opposition to that of the Śrāvakabuddha (conventionally referred to as an Arhat).

According to many traditions within Mahayana Buddhism, on his or her way to becoming a Buddha, the bodhisattva proceeds through ten, or sometimes fourteen, stages or bhumi.

Before a bodhisattva arrives at the first ground, he or she first must travel the first two of the five paths, which are said to correspond to words from the mantra that appears at the end of the Heart Sutra:

the path of accumulation (gate) the path of preparation (gate).

The ten grounds of the bodhisattva then can be grouped into the next three paths

Bhumi 1 the path of insight (paragate) Bhumi 2-7 the path of meditation (parasamgate) Bhumi 8-10 the path of no more learning (bodhi)

The 10 Grounds of Buddhism

Great Joy It is said that being close to enlightenment and seeing the benefit for all sentient beings, one achieves great joy, hence the name. Radiant The third bhumi is named 'Radiant', because, for a bodhisattva who accomplishes this bhumi, the light of Dharma is said to radiate from the bodhisattva for others. Very difficult to train Bodhisattvas who attain this bhumi strive to help sentient beings attain maturity, and do not become emotionally involved when such beings respond negatively, both of which are difficult to do. A modern bodhisattva for many is the 14th Dalai Lama, considered by many followers of Tibetan Buddhism to be an incarnation of that same bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.

The bodhisattva is a popular subject in Buddhist art.

The place of a bodhisattva's earthly deeds, such as the achievement of enlightenment or the acts of dharma, is known as a bodhimanda, and may be a site of pilgrimage.

Bodhisattva and the Loving Kindness towards all beings and nature

Bodhisattva is the the stage of incarnation of a being (Not necessoryly as a human) before becoming a Buddha. The Buddha's path on Bodhisattva goes through the Loving Kindness towards the whole world.

Steps of the noble path

The path of Bodhisattva lies through basically Ten goals in Three stages The stages of Bodhi are

Buddha Paccheka Buddha Maha Rahat

In the Bodhisattva path there are basically Ten Qualities to be practiced (Proved), those are calles Paramita.

Buduruvagala, Statues of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva

More information http://www.buddhanet.net/sacred-island/buduruvagala.html

Bodhisattva in popular culture

Jack Kerouac mentions Bodhisattva in The Dharma Bums several times.