Buddhism. Bodhisattva - what is it?

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

In Buddhism, there is a rather interesting being called a bodhisattva. It is believed that becoming one is quite difficult, but perhaps that is why many who practice this path strive to achieve the desired state. In this article you will get an answer to the question: who is a bodhisattva? You can also learn the path he follows and the principles he follows.

The concept of “bodhisattva”

Bodhisattva is a person (on our planet) who has achieved enlightenment, but unlike the Buddha, he did not leave this world, but remained. Its goal is quite simple and at the same time complex - to help people on their path of spiritual perfection. It should also be noted that the being who realized the first bhumi can be called a bodhisattva. Until this happens, the term "jatisattva" is used.

Bodhisattvas often live in the world among other people, keeping their vows and not deviating from the path. They are distinguished by mercy and empathy for other beings. In the Vimalakirti Sutra,find a plot about a sick bodhisattva. But when they asked why he was sick, the answer was the following: the disease happened from great empathy for people who are sick. Thus, he kind of tuned 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 get the push they need to make a real difference in their lives.

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.

First mention of a bodhisattva

For the first time, a bodhisattva in Buddhism is mentioned at the initial stage of development of this religious movement. It can be found in the earliest sutras, such as the Saddharmapundarika Sutra (twenty-three such beings are listed), the Vimalakirti Nirdesha Sutra (more than fifty are listed).

The Destiny of Bodhisattvas

As mentioned above, a bodhisattva is one who has already attained enlightenment. His destiny in this world is to accept suffering with joy, both his own and other people's. It is believed that this is the basis of the practice of such beings.

According to some reports, there are two kinds of bodhisattvas. Some do only good, their actions cannot harm either themselves or anyone else. Thus, they never accumulate bad karma, always doing 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 (getting into the lower worlds after death). Many believe that it is the second path that requires more fortitude.

Unbreakable Vows

A very important step in reaching the level of a bodhisattva is the vows that he makes before starting to climb the ladder up. They involve caring for other beings, eradicating various vices in oneself, observing morality, etc. Also, those who enter this path take oaths and additionally four great vows.

Qualities (paramitas) of a bodhisattva

Bodhisattvas have certain qualities, adhering to which one cannot deviate from the chosen path of benefiting all people. Different sutras describe a different number of them, but we will highlight the ten most important:

• Dana-paramita. Generosity, which provides for various benefits, both material and spiritual, as well as donations.
• Shila-paramita. Observance of vows, i.e. obligatory adherence to commandments and vows that help to achieve enlightenment.
• Kshanti Paramita. Patience, which allows not to experience hatred and capture. This quality can also be called equanimity - it is difficult to piss off a walker.
• 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 higher wisdom, striving for it.
• Upaya-paramita. Tricks by which bodhisattvas save those in need. The peculiarity is that the right approach is found for everyone, allowing you to direct the afflicted on the path out of the wheel of samsara.
• Pranidhana-paramita. Oaths a Bodhisattva Must Keep.
• Bala paramita. An inner strength that illuminates everything around and helps those who are around a higher being to become on the path of virtue.
• Jnana-paramita. Knowledge that implies the possibility of independent existence in completely different places.

Stages of development of bodhisattvas

There are also ten stages of bodhisattva development. Each step takes many rebirths, and this takes quite a lot of millions of years. Thus, these beings voluntarily condemn 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;
• blameless;
• shiny;
• fiery;
• elusive;
• appearing;
• far reaching;
• real estate;
• good-natured;
• dharma cloud.

Bodhisattva in Hinayana

Also consider what it meansbodhisattva in Buddhism of different traditions. During the time this religion appeared, some began to perceive the path of enlightenment somewhat differently, as well as attitudes towards other beings.

So, in Hinayana, a bodhisattva is a being (his body can be completely different, for example, an animal, a person, or a representative of the hellish planets), who decided to walk 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, only former Buddhas (no more than twenty-four) can be such beings, and up until the moment they become them. Bodhisattvas must meet in one of their births with the Buddha, who makes them a prophecy, predicting future enlightenment.

It should be noted that in the Hinayana tradition, the bodhisattva is not the ideal of the teaching. Most of all, followers strive to achieve the status of an arhant, 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 a Buddha.

Bodhisattva in the Mahayana

The Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism has a slightly different status, but the current itself, which was formed much later than the previous one, is different. The main feature of the Mahayana is the thesis that everyone who believes and keeps vows can be saved. That is why the movement received such a name, which is also translated as “great chariot”.

In Mahayana Buddhism, a bodhisattva is a religious ideal to whichevery follower of the current must strive. The arhants, who are idealized in Hinayana, are questioned because they strive for personal enlightenment without any concern for the suffering of others. Thus, he remains within the framework of his "I".

In general, in the Mahayana, the path of archanism is a narrow and selfish path. The Mahayana substantiated the concept of three paths: the achievement of archanship, then the enlightenment of the Pratyeka-Buddhas, and the path of the bodhisattva itself.

Bodhisattva in the Vajrayana

In the Vajrayana, a bodhisattva is some mixture of the ideal of this image with a yogi who is in perfect command of all the siddhis. 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 perfection is lost.

Some bodhisattvas who lived in our world

It should be noted that each sect of Buddhism has its own pantheon of bodhisattvas, the list of which may vary. For example, in the Mahayana one can meet bodhisattvas who actually lived before, who were at different stages of their development. These are Aryaasanga (third level), Nagarjuna (ninth level), etc. The most important are Avalokitersvara, Ksitigarbha, Manjushri and others.

Maitreya is a bodhisattva who should soon come to earth. Now he is undergoing a big test in the sky of the desire realm of Tushita. It should be noted that it is he who is revered as a bodhisattva in allcurrents of Buddhism.

Conclusion

Now you know the answer to the question: what is a bodhisattva in Buddhism? Despite the fact that the attitude towards these beings in different directions of Buddhism is different, it is difficult to dispute their peculiarity and necessity, because in order to embark on this path, you need to have a strong will and spirit.