In Buddhism, there is a rather interesting being called the bodhisattva. It is believed that it is quite difficult to become one, but it is possible, therefore, many who practice this path strive to achieve the desired state. In this article, you will receive the answer to the question: who is a bodhisattva? You can also find out the path that it follows, and the principles that follow.
The concept of "bodhisattva"
A Bodhisattva is a person (on our planet) who has attained enlightenment, but unlike Buddha, he did not leave this world, but remained. His goal is quite simple and at the same time complicated - to help people on their path to spiritual perfection. It should also be noted that a bodhisattva can be called the being who realized the first bhumi. Until this happens, the term jatisattva is used.
Bodhisattvas often live in peace among other people, observing vows and not turning astray. They are distinguished by mercy and empathy with other beings. In the Vimalakirti Sutra, you can find a story about a sick bodhisattva. But when they asked the question of why he is sick, they received the following in response: the disease happened from a great empathy for people who are sick. Thus, he seemed to tune in to their wave.
In general, it is believed that the arrival of such a creature on earth is a great blessing. After all, bodhisattvas always attract people who want to hear wisdom from them. Some receive the necessary impetus, which allows you to radically change your life.
It should also be noted that in different traditions of Buddhism this concept is somewhat different, as well as the approach to the path itself. More on this will be written below.
The first mention of a bodhisattva
For the first time, Bodhisattva in Buddhism is mentioned even at the initial stage of development of this religious movement. It can be found in the earliest sutras, for example, Saddharmapundarika sutra (twenty-three such beings are indicated in it), Vimalakirti nirdesa sutra (more than fifty are indicated).
The Purpose of the Bodhisattvas
As stated above, a bodhisattva is one who has already attained enlightenment. His purpose in this world is to accept suffering with joy, both his own and that of other people. It is believed that this is the basis of the practice of such creatures.
According to some reports, there are two types of bodhisattvas. Some do only good, their actions cannot be harmful either to themselves or to anyone else. Thus, they never accumulate bad karma, always doing just the right thing.
The second type of bodhisattva involves the accumulation of bad karma, doing bad deeds for the benefit of others. Moreover, he is fully aware of his actions, as well as the punishment for them (falling into the lower worlds after death). Many believe that it is the second path that requires more fortitude.
Immutable Vows
A very important step in attaining the bodhisattva level is the vows that he gives before starting to climb the stairs. They involve caring for other creatures, eradicating various vices in oneself, observing morality, etc. Also, one who takes this path takes vows and four additional great vows.
Qualities (paramitas) of a bodhisattva
Bodhisattvas have certain qualities, adhering to which it is impossible to get off the chosen path of benefiting all people. Different amounts are described in different sutras, but we will single out the ten most important ones:
- Dana-paramita. Generosity, which provides for various benefits, both material and spiritual, as well as donations.
- Shila-paramita. Keeping vows, that is, complying with the commandments and vows that help to achieve enlightenment.
- Kshanti-paramita. Patience that allows you not to feel hatred and captivity. Also, this quality can be called equanimity - it is difficult to get rid of those who walk.
- Virya Paramita. Diligence (diligence) - there is only one thought, only one action and direction.
- Dhyana-paramita. Contemplation - there is concentration, samadhi.
- Prajna Parmita. Achievement and knowledge of the highest wisdom, desire for it.
- Upaya-paramita. The tricks by which bodhisattvas rescue those who need it. The peculiarity is that everyone has the right approach, allowing to direct the sufferer to the path of exit from the wheel of samsara.
- Pranidhana-paramita. Vows that a bodhisattva is required to observe.
- Bala Paramita. The inner power that illuminates everything around and helps those around the higher being to take the path of virtue.
- Jnana-paramita. Knowledge, suggesting the possibility of independent existence in completely different places.
Stages of Bodhisattva Development
There are also ten stages in the development of bodhisattvas. Each step takes many rebirths, and this takes quite a few million years. Thus, these creatures voluntarily doom themselves to the wheel of samsara in order to help other beings get out of it. Consider the levels (bhumi) of bodhisattvas (they are taken from two sources - “Madhyamikavatara” and “Golden Sacred Sutra”):
- one who has supreme joy;
- immaculate;
- shining;
- fiery;
- hard to reach;
- manifested;
- far reaching;
- real;
- good-natured;
- cloud of dharma.
Hinayana Bodhisattva
You should also consider what a bodhisattva means in Buddhism of different traditions. During the time this religion appeared, some began to perceive the path of enlightenment in a slightly different way, as well as their attitude to other beings.
So, in Hinayana, a bodhisattva is a creature (its body can be completely different, for example, an animal, a person or a representative of the infernal planets), which decided to go the path to become a Buddha. Such a decision should arise on the basis of a great desire to leave the wheel of samsara.
In the direction of the Hinayana, such beings can only be former Buddhas (no more than twenty-four), and up to the moment until they become them. Bodhisattvas must meet in one of the births with the Buddha, who makes him a prophecy, predicting future enlightenment.
It should be noted that in the Hinayana tradition, the bodhisattva is not the ideal of learning. Most followers strive to achieve the status of an archant, who is considered a saint who has passed the path to nirvana on his own, only following the instructions of the Buddha. No one else can help him here. This happened because in this teaching it is impossible for a simple believer to reach the level of Buddha.
Bodhisattva in the Mahayana
The Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism has a slightly different status, but the current itself, which formed much later than the previous one, is different. The main feature of the Mahayana is the thesis that anyone who believes and keeps vows can be saved. That is why the movement got its name, which is also translated as “the great chariot”.
In Mahayana Buddhism, a Bodhisattva is a religious ideal that every follower of the movement should strive for. Archanges who are idealized in Hinayana are questioned because they seek personal enlightenment, not caring at all for the suffering of others. Thus, he remains within the framework of his “I”.
In general, in the Mahayana, the path of Arkhanism is a narrow and selfish path. The Mahayana substantiated the concept of three paths: the achievement of arkhanism, then the enlightenment of the pratyeka-buddhas and the path of the bodhisattva itself.
Bodhisattva in Vajrayana
In Vajrayana, a bodhisattva is a mixture of the ideal of this image with a yogi who is fluent in all siddhas. This, in principle, is natural, since the current itself arose much later than the two previous ones. Another feature is that some bodhisattvas are emanations of certain Buddhas. Thus, the very principle of the path to excellence is lost.
Some bodhisattvas that lived in our world
It should be noted that in each course of Buddhism there is a pantheon of bodhisattvas, the list of which may vary. For example, in the Mahayana one can find bodhisattvas who actually lived before, who were at different stages of their development. These are Aryasanga (third level), Nagarjuna (ninth level), etc. Avalokatershvara, Ksitigarbha, Manjushri and others are considered the most important.
Maitreya is a bodhisattva who is due to come to earth soon. Now he is undergoing great tests in the sky of the sphere of desires of Tushit. It should be noted that it is he who is considered a bodhisattva in all movements of Buddhism.
Conclusion
Now you know the answer to the question: Bodhisattva in Buddhism - what is it? Despite the fact that the attitude to these beings in different areas of Buddhism is different, their peculiarity and need are difficult to challenge, because to take this path you need to have a strong will and spirit.