Buddhism. A Bodhisattva is what?

In Buddhism, there is a rather interesting being, which is called a bodhisattva. It is believed that it is rather difficult for them to become, but it is possible, therefore, many who practice this path tend to achieve the desired state. In this article, you will receive an answer to the question: Bodhisattva - who is this? Also, you can find out the path that it follows, and the principles that it adheres to.

The concept of "bodhisattva"

A Bodhisattva is a person (on our planet) who has attained enlightenment, but unlike the Buddha, he did not leave this world, but remained. His goal is quite simple and at the same time difficult - to help people on their way of spiritual perfection. It should also be noted that the Bodhisattva can be called the creature that 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 off the path. They are charitable and empathize with other beings. In the "Sutra Vimalakirti" you can find a story about a sick Bodhisattva. But when asked about why he is sick, then in return received the following: the disease happened from a great empathy for people who are sick. Thus, he seemed to be tuned 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 push, which allows a radical change in their lives.

It should also be noted that in the different traditions of Buddhism this concept is somewhat different, as is the approach to the path itself. More details about this will be written below.

The first mention of a bodhisattva

For the first time, a bodhisattva in Buddhism is mentioned even at the initial stage of the development of this religious trend. It can be found in the earliest sutras, for example Saddharmapundarika sutra (it contains twenty-three such beings), Vimalakirti nirdesh sutra (indicated more than fifty).

The Purpose 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 others. It is believed that this is the basis of the practice of such beings.

According to some sources, there are two types of bodhisattvas. Some do only good, their actions can not do harm for themselves or for anyone else. Thus, they do not accumulate bad karma ever, always doing the right thing.

The second type of bodhisattvas involves the accumulation of bad karma, doing bad deeds for the benefit of others. And he is fully aware of his actions, as well as punishment for them (getting into the lower worlds after death). Many believe that it is the second way that requires greater strength of mind.

Obligatory Vows

A very important step in achieving the level of a bodhisattva is the vows he gives before he starts climbing the stairs upward. They presuppose the care of other beings, the eradication of various vices in oneself, the observance of morality, etc. Also entering on this path gives oaths and an additional four great vows.

The qualities (paramits) of a bodhisattva

Bodhisattvas have certain qualities, adhering to which one can not get off the chosen path of benefit to all people. In different sutras they are described in different amounts, but we will distinguish the ten most important:

• Dana-paramita. Generosity, which provides various benefits, both material and spiritual, as well as donations.
• Shila-paramita. Observance of vows, that is, compulsory adherence to the commandments and vows that help achieve enlightenment.
• Ksanti paramita. Patience that allows you not to experience hatred and grip. Still this quality can be called equanimity - going is hard to get mad.
• 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, desire for it.
• Upaya-paramita. The tricks with which help bodhisattvas save those who need it. The peculiarity is that everyone has the right approach, which allows to direct the sufferer to the way out of the wheel of samsara.
• Pranidhana-paramita. Vows that are required to observe a bodhisattva.
• Bala-paramita. The inner power that illuminates everything around and helps those who are around the higher being to take the path of virtue.
• Jnana-paramita. Knowledge, which presupposes the possibility of independent existence in completely different places.

The stages of development of bodhisattvas

There are also ten stages of development of bodhisattvas. Each step takes a lot of rebirths, and it takes quite a few million years. Thus, these beings voluntarily condemn themselves to the wheel of samsara in order to help them escape from it to other beings. Consider the levels (bhumi) of bodhisattvas (they are taken from two sources - "Madhyamikavatara" and "Sacred sutra of golden color"):

• The one who has the highest joy;
• The undefiled;
• Shining;
• Flaming;
• Hard-to-reach;
• Manifested;
• Far-reaching;
• real;
• The wise;
• Cloud of dharma.

Bodhisattva in Hinayana

We should also consider what the Bodhisattva means in Buddhism of different traditions. During the time that this religion appeared, some began to perceive the way of enlightenment a little differently, as well as attitudes toward other beings.

So, in the 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 go the way 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 Hinayana, such beings can only be the former Buddhas (not more than twenty-four), and until they become them. Bodhisattvas must meet at one of the births with the Buddha who makes them a prophecy, predicting future enlightenment.

It should be noted that in the Hinayana tradition, a bodhisattva is not an ideal of teaching. Most of all followers strive to attain the status of an archangel who is considered a saint who has gone on his way to nirvana alone, 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 the Buddha.

Bodhisattva in Mahayana

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

In Mahayana Buddhism, a bodhisattva is a religious ideal, to which every successor of the current should strive. Arhants, who are idealized in Hinayana, are questioned because they seek personal enlightenment, not caring at all about the suffering of other people. Thus, he remains within the limits of his "I".

On the whole, in the Mahayana, the path of archanism is a narrow and selfish path. Mahayana justified the concept of the three ways: reaching the arkhan, then enlightening the pratyek-buddhas and the very path of the bodhisattva.

Bodhisattva in the Vajrayana

In Vajrayana, a bodhisattva is a mixture of the ideal of this image with the yogi, who perfectly possesses all the siddhas. This, in principle, is natural, since the flow itself arose much later than the previous two. 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 in every current of Buddhism there is a pantheon of bodhisattvas, the list of which can vary. For example, in Mahayana you can find real bodhisattvas who lived at different stages of their development. This is Aryaasanga (third level), Nagarjuna (ninth level), etc. The most important are Avalokitshvara, Kshitigarbha, Manjushri, and others.

Maitreya is a bodhisattva who must soon come to earth. Now he is going through large checks in the sky of the sphere of Tushita's desires. It should be noted that he is revered as a Bodhisattva in all the trends 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 directions of Buddhism is different, their peculiarity and need is difficult to challenge, because for the formation on this path one must have a strong will and spirit.