Bodhisattva

In Buddhist thought, a bodhisattva (Pali: bodhisatta; Simplified Chinese: 菩萨; Traditional Chinese: 菩薩; pinyin: púsà; Japanese: 菩薩 bosatsu; Korean: 보살 bosal ; Tibetan changchub sempa (byang-chub sems-dpa'); Vietnamese: Bồ Tát) is a being who is dedicated to assisting all sentient beings in achieving complete Buddhahood. Conventionally, the term is applied to hypothetical beings with a high degree of enlightenment. Bodhisattva literally means "enlightenment ('bodhi') truth ('sattva')" in Sanskrit.

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. Gautama Buddha's previous life experience as a bodhisattva before Buddhahood 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 account not only his historical life, but many previous lives. When Gautama Buddha referred to himself in his pre-Buddha existence, he spoke in terms of "when I was still a Bodhisattva". The only currently active bodhisattva described in the Pali Canon is the future Buddha Maitreya (Pali: Metteyya). The Theravada tradition, i.e., the Pali Canon, speaks of no other bodhisattvas than these.

While the Bodhisatta 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 great majority of people are seen to be most fit to practice for enlightenment in this life, as a Sotapanna, Sakadagami, Anagami or Arahant. The option is left open for people to aspire to achieve Paccekabuddhahood or Sammasambuddhahood in a future life, which (according to Theravada doctrine) would mean that suffering would not be extinguished for another 'unmeasurable' period of time (many aeons). The path of the Bodhisatta 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. This type of motivation is known as bodhicitta ('citta' means mind). 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. He is on a mission to liberate all sentient beings, and only then will he rest and complete his own enlightenment.

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). The Arhat is seen as being liberated from samsara, but he did not choose to save all and every other living being before passing away into Parinirvana, and thus is not a fully enlightened Buddha.

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. Below is the list of ten bhumis and their descriptions from The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, a treatise by Gampopa, an influential teacher of the Tibetan Kagyu school. Other schools give variant descriptions.

File:Siddhartha.JPG

Prince Siddhartha Gautama as a bodhisattva, before becoming a Buddha. He is characteristically depicted as an Indian nobleman, posing with left hand on the hip, Gandhara, 2nd-3rd century.

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:

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

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

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

The 10 Grounds of Buddhism

1. 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. In this bhumi the bodhisattvas practice all virtues (paramita), but especially emphasizing generosity (dana).
2. Stainless
   • In accomplishing the second bhumi, the bodhisattva is free from the stains of immorality, therefore, this bhumi is named 'Stainless'. The emphasized virtue is moral discipline (śila).
3. 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. The emphasized virtue is patience (kṣanti).
4. Luminous
   • This bhumi is called 'luminous', because it is said to be like a radiating light that fully burns that which opposes enlightenment. The emphasized virtue is vigor (virya).
5. 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. The emphasized virtue is meditative concentration (dhyāna).
6. Obviously Transcendent
   • "By depending on the perfection of wisdom awareness, he [the bodhisattva] does not abide in either saṃsāra or nirvāṇa, so it is 'obviously transcendent'". The emphasized virtue is wisdom (prajña).
7. Gone afar
   • Particular emphasis is on the perfection of skillful means, or upaya-kaushalya, to help others.
8. Immovable
   • The emphasized virtue is aspiration.
   • This, the 'Immovable' bhumi, is the bhumi at which one becomes able to choose his place of rebirth.
9. Good Discriminating Wisdom
   • The emphasized virtue is power.
10. Cloud of dharma
    • The emphasized virtue is the practice of primordial wisdom.

Relief image of the bodhisattva Guan Yin from Mt. Jiuhua in China's Anhui province.

After the ten bhumis, according to Mahayana Buddhism, one attains complete enlightenment and becomes a Buddha. Various traditions within Buddhism believe in certain specific bodhisattvas. Some bodhisattvas appear across traditions, but due to language barriers may be seen as separate entities. For example, Tibetan Buddhists believe in Chenrezig, who is Avalokitesvara in India, Kuan Yin (other spellings: Guan Yin, Kwan Yin, Quan Yin, some of which may be seen written as a single word) in China, Quan Am in Vietnam, and Kannon (formerly spelt and pronounced: Kwannon) in Japan. 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. Many temples and monasteries are famous as bodhimandas; for instance, the island of Putuoshan, located off the coast of Ningbo, is venerated by Chinese Buddhists as the bodhimanda of Avalokitesvara. Perhaps the most famous bodhimanda of all is the bodhi tree under which Shakyamuni achieved buddhahood.

Bodhisattva Vows

In the Bodhisattva vows (sometimes called the Bodhisattva Precepts) of Mahayana Buddhism, the bodhisattvas take vows stating that they will not realize or attain Nirvana until all sentient beings have done so. This four-part vow is made out of compassion and the bodhisattva devotes his/her powers to helping others attain Nirvana.

Buddhist lay persons may take the bodhisattva vows in order to initiate their spiritual journey. The following table of the fourfold vow is as practices by the Chan and Zen tradition.

Sino-Japanese	English	Chinese (pinyin)	Chinese (hanzi)
Shi gu sei gan	The Four Great Vows	Sì hóng shì yuàn	四弘誓願
Shu jo mu hen sei gan do	I vow to liberate all beings, without number	Zhòng shēng wúbiān shì yuàn dù	眾生無邊誓願度
Bon no mu jin sei gan dan	I vow to uproot endless blind passions	Fánnǎo wújìn shì yuàn duàn	煩惱無盡誓願斷
Ho mon mu ryo sei gan gaku	I vow to penetrate dharma gates beyond measure	Fǎ mén wúliàng shì yuàn xué	法門無量誓願學
Butsu do mu jo sei gan jo	I vow to attain the way of the Buddha	Fó dào wúshàng shì yuàn chéng	佛道無上誓願成

Paramita

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Pāramitā (Sanskrit) or Parami (Pāli): "Perfection" or "Transcendent". In Buddhism, the Paramitas refer to the perfection or culmination of certain practices. These practices are cultivated by Bodhisattvas for crossing from sensuous life (Samsara) to Enlightenment (Nirvana).

In Theravada Buddhism, the Ten Perfections (Paramis) are; (original terms in Pali)

1. dāna parami : generosity, giving of oneself
2. sīla parami : virtue, morality, proper conduct
3. nekkhamma parami : renunciation
4. pañña parami : transcendental wisdom, insight
5. viriya parami : energy, diligence, vigour, effort
6. khanti parami : patience, tolerance, forbearance, acceptance, endurance
7. sacca parami : truthfulness, honesty
8. adhitthana parami : determination, resolution
9. metta parami : loving-kindness
10. upekkha parami : equanimity, serenity

In Mahayana Buddhism, the Perfection of Wisdom (Prajna-paramita) Sutra and Lotus (Saddharmapundarika) Sutra list the Six Perfections as; (original terms in Sanskrit)

1. Dāna paramita: generosity, giving of oneself (in Chinese, 布施波羅蜜)
2. Sila paramita : virtue, morality, proper conduct (持戒波羅蜜)
3. Kṣanti paramita : patience, tolerance, forbearance, acceptance, endurance (忍辱波羅蜜)
4. Virya paramita : energy, diligence, vigour, effort (精進波羅蜜)
5. Dhyāna paramita : one-pointed concentration, contemplation (禪定波羅蜜)
6. Prajña paramita : wisdom, insight (智慧波羅蜜)

The later Ten Stages (Dasabhumika) Sutra lists another four;

7. Upāya paramita: skillful means

8. Pranidhana paramita: vow, resolution, aspiration, determination

9. Bala paramita: spiritual power

10. Jñana paramita: knowledge

Brahma Net Sutra

The Brahma Net Sutra translated by Kumarajiva (circa 400 C.E.) has a list of ten major and forty-eight minor Bodhisattva vows. The ten major vows are as follows:

1. Not to kill any living creature
2. Not to steal anything
3. Not to engage in any form of sexual misconduct
4. Not to lie or use false speech
5. Not to trade alcoholic beverages
6. Not to discuss the faults and misdeeds that occur by any Buddhist
7. Not to praise oneself or disparage others
8. Not to be stingy or abusive towards those in need
9. Not to harbor anger or resentment or encourage others to be angry
10. Not to criticise or slander the Three Jewels

Asanga's Bodhisattvabhumi

Asanga (circa 300 C.E.) delineated 18 major vows and forty-six minor vows. These Bodhisattva vows are still used by the Gelukpa and Kagyu traditions of indo-tibetan Buddhism. The eighteen major vows (as actions to be abandoned) are as follows:

1. Praising oneself or belittling others due to attachment to receiving material offerings, praise and respect.
2. Not giving material aid or (due to miserliness) not teaching the Dharma to those who are suffering and without a protector.
3. Not listening although another declares his/her offence or with anger blaming him/her and retaliating.
4. Abandoning the Mahayana by saying that Mahayana texts are not the words of Buddha or teaching what appears to be the Dharma but is not.
5. Taking things belonging to Buddha, Dharma or Sangha.
6. Abandoning the holy Dharma by saying that texts which teach the three vehicles are not the Buddha's word.
7. With anger depriving ordained ones or their robes, beating and imprisoning them or causing them to lose their ordination even if they have impure morality, for example, by saying that being ordained is useless.
8. Committing any of the five extremely negative actions: (1) killing one's mother, (2) killing one's father, (3) killing an arhat, (4) intentionally drawing blood from a Buddha or (5) causing schism in the Sangha community by supporting and spreading sectarian views.
9. Holding distorted views (which are contrary to the teaching of Buddha, such as denying the existence of the Three Jewels or the law of cause and effect etc.)
10. Destroying towns, villages, cities or large areas by means such as fire, bombs, pollution or black magic.
11. Teaching emptiness to those whose minds are unprepared.
12. Causing those who have entered the Mahayana to turn away from working for the full enlightenment of Buddhahood and encouraging them to work merely for their own liberation from suffering.
13. Causing others to abandon completely their vows of self liberation and embrace the Mahayana.
14. Holding and causing others to hold the view that the Sravaka vehicle does not abandon attachment and other delusions.
15. Falsely stating that oneself has realised profound emptiness and that if others meditate as one has, they will realize emptiness and become as great and as highly realized as oneself.
16. Taking gifts from others who were encouraged to give you things originally intended as offerings to the Three Jewels. Not giving things to the Three Jewels that others have given you to give to them, or accepting property stolen from the Three Jewels.
17. Causing those engaged in calm-abiding meditation to give it up by giving their belongings to those who are merely reciting texts or making bad disciplinary rules which cause a spiritual community not to be harmonious.
18. Abandoning the either of the two types of Bodhicitta (aspiring and engaging).

Bodhisattva in popular culture

File:Thousand-hand Bodhisattva.png

The "Thousand-hand Bodhisattva" perfomance by the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe.

• Jack Kerouac mentions Bodhisattva in The Dharma Bums several times. In the book, Japhy Ryder (Gary Snyder) tells Ray Smith (Kerouac) that he (Ray) is a Bodhisattva, a great wise being or great wise angel. Kerouac uses the term several times in the novel, to describe himself and fellow zen Buddhists.
• The band Steely Dan has a song entitled Bodhisattva on their 1973 album Countdown to Ecstasy.
• The Brian Setzer Orchestra covered Steely Dan's Bodhisattva for the soundtrack of Me, Myself and Irene.
• The rap group The Beastie Boys has a song called Bodhisattva Vow on their album Ill Communication.
• Patrick Swayze's character in Point Break is named Bodhisattva.
• The Holy Barbarians have a song called Bodhisattva on the Cream CD.
• In the manga/anime titled Gensoumaden Saiyuki, the bodhisattva called Kannon appears as a minor, but still relevant, character. In this unorthodox take on Buddhism, Kanzeon Bosatsu (a more formal form of Kannon) is a smart-talking hermaphrodite who guides the Sanzo-ikkou on their quest to Shangri-La.
• On the OST for the anime Hellsing, there is a track titled "Bodhisattva Cathedral."

See also

• Bodhisattva vows
• List of bodhisattvas
• Karuna (compassion in Sanskrit)
• Bodhicharyavatara (A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life)
• Vegetarianism in Buddhism

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Gampopa; The Jewel Ornament of Liberation; Snow Lion Publications; ISBN 1-55939-092-1
• White, Kenneth R.; The Role of Bodhicitta in Buddhist Enlightenment: Including a Translation into English of Bodhicitta-sastra, Benkemmitsu-nikyoron, and Sammaya-kaijo; The Edwin Mellen Press, 2005; ISBN 0-88946-050-7
• Lampert, K.; Traditions of Compassion: From Religious Duty to Social Activism. Palgrave-Macmillan; ISBN 1-40398-527-8

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Bodhisattvas

• Various versions of the Bodhisattva Vow
• Hundreds of free buddhist talks and huge forum.
• The Bodhisattva Vows as practiced in Tibetan Buddhism
• The Bodhisattva Ideal - Buddhism and the Aesthetics of Selflessness
• The group of Eight Great Bodhisattvas at Candi Mendut
• Thousand-hand Bodhisattva Dance
• What A Bodhisattva Does: Thirty-Seven Practices by Ngulchu Thogme
• Images of Buddha, worldwide submitted photos
• Brahma Net Sutra
• The eight Pledges of aspiring Bodhichitta, the eighteen root vows and the fourty-six secondary Bodhisattva vows according to Tibetan Gelug Tradition (including commentary).
• Twenty Verses on the Bodhisattva Vow by Chandragomin
• Compassion and Bodhicitta
• Digital Dictionary of Buddhism (log in with userID "guest")
• Renunciation by T. Prince, a free distribution article on the hindu conception of renunciation

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