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Bodhi Guide - Bodhisattva
In Buddhist tradition, a Bodhisattva is one who is devoted to reaching Buddhahood, or enlightenment. Bodhisattva means 'enlightenment being' but a more accurate Sanskrit translation might be 'bodhi-sakta', meaning a 'being who is orientated towards enlightenment'. This ideal is inspired by the life path of the Buddha before he became enlightened, as described in the Jatakas. The term bodhisattva refers to the Buddha before he achieved enlightenment, and also refers to a compassionate person whose life is dedicated to the salvation of others and to becoming a Buddha only once all beings have been liberated.
A bodhisattva begins his or her spiritual path by awakening the 'mind of enlightenment', taking a vow to attain supreme enlightenment for the sake of all beings. Although an enlightened being is said to have attained the state of nirvana, or release from suffering and from the cycle of life-death-rebirth (samsara), bodhisattva vows state that the bodhisattva will remain in samsara until all sentient beings have been liberated. The Bodhisattva does not seek bodhi (awakening) for him/herself, but primarily for the sake of freeing all other beings and aiding them into the bliss of Nirvana. This may be accomplished by honoring all Buddhas and by striving for spiritual and moral perfection, to be placed in the service of others. Bodhisattvas vow to accumulate great amounts of merit (punya), which they dedicate to all other sentient beings, to help lead them to Awakening and Nirvana. A bodhisattva walks the path of truth and compassion guided by love and wisdom. Bodhisattvas promise to work for the liberation and enlightenment of all sentient beings.
The practice of a bodhisattva includes the six 'perfections' or paramitas: charity (dana), morality (sila), forebearance (ksanti), diligence (virya), meditation (dhyana), and wisdom (prajna). Both laypeople and monks may be considered bodhisattvas. One of the most important and influential sutras or scriptures of Buddhism is the Lotus Sutra, which imparts the key message that Buddhahood - a condition of complete happiness, freedom from fear and from all illusions - is inherent in all life. The development of this inner state of being enables all people to overcome problems and live a fulfilled and active life, fully engaged with others and with society. Thus any person may aspire to embark on the path of a Bodhisattva.
A great many celestial bodhisattvas are revered along with Gautama Buddha and buddhas of other realms. Some of the most celebrated celestial bodhisattvas are Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva of compassion; Manjusri, the bodhisattva of keen awareness and wisdom; and Maitreya, who in heaven awaits birth as the next Buddha. In China and Korea, the bodhisattva of compassion is known as Quanyin (other spellings: Kwan-yin, Kuan-yin, Guanyin), and in Tibet is known as Chenrezig.
A modern bodhisattva for many is the 14th Dalai Lama, believed by many followers of Tibetan Buddhism to be an incarnation of Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
The bodhisattva is a subject depicted in many works of Buddhist art and poetry.
The location of a bodhisattva's earthly deeds, such as the reaching of enlightenment or the acts of dharma (selfless service), is known as a bodhimanda, and are often sites of pilgrimage. Many monasteries and temples are well known as bodhimandas. Perhaps the most famous bodhimanda is the bodhi tree under which Shakyamuni (Gautama Siddartha) attained Buddhahood.
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