Bodhisattva - living for others in Buddhism
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Self-sacrifice is the basis of Buddhism: the Bodhisattva ideal.
The bodhisattva ideal is embodied in the bodhisattva vow:
May I attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings.
This practically means that one vows not just to attain enlightenment or Nirvana (ambitious enough of itself), but to postpone enjoying that enlightenment fully until all other beings too haver reached liberation.
This lens explores how the Bodhisattva ideal is rooted in the life of Buddha, but is ultimately a central feature of Mahayana Buddhism. The stages of the path of the Bodhisattva are listed as well as the ideals (paramitas) a Bodhisattva tries to live up to.
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I do agree that ALL humans deserve kindness and I suppose that is the simple truth this lens is trying to put across.
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More on Bodhisattvas: links
Mahayana Buddhist religious views
The long version of the Bodhisattva Vow:
1. I vow to save innumerable sentient beings.
2. I vow to eliminate endless afflictions / delusions.
3. I vow to learn innumerable doctrines.
4. I vow to accomplish the unsurpassed Buddha Way.
- Versions of the Bodhisattva vow
- Short explanation of the Bodhisattva vow and versions of this vow from various Mahayana traditions.
- The paramitas: virtues of perfection
- A discussion of the six virtues that the Bodhisattva vows to try and live. Some lists have 10 paramitas or virtues.
- 10 Bhumi's, paramita's or stages
- A short list of 10 stages of Bodhisattva development. There is overlap with the six paramitas.
- Bodhisattva Ideal in Mahayana Buddhism
- Probably the most important characteristic of the Bodhisattva path is the increased emphasis that it places on "compassion" (karuna). As seen from the Mahayana point of view, the arhant ideal is worthy enough (as far as it goes), but since it places an emphasis on the spiritual achievement of one's self, it does not embrace directly enough the suffering of others and the importance of Buddhism as a vehicle that was intended by the Buddha to liberate all sentient beings from suffering.
The lives of Buddha: the ultimate Bodhisattva
Before Gautama was Enlightened, he was Bodhisattva
Buddha was born 'Siddharta Gautama'. When he was born he was not yet enlightened, so he did not yet have the title 'Buddha' (enlightened one). Because he was on the road to enlightenment the young Gautama is called 'the bodhisattva' by Buddhists everywhere. More on the life of Siddharta Gautama, the later Buddha.
There are also many stories about the previous lives of the Buddha. In these lives he is said to have worked towards becoming a Buddha. The Jataka tales (tales of those previous lives) show him sacrificing his life, his health, his possessions and ultimately even his wife and kids for the wellfare of others. This sacrificial attitude shows why he was capable of becoming a Buddha - while most of us aren't (in this lifetime). And because he was on his way to becoming a Buddha, he is called 'the bodhisattva' in those lives as well.
There are also many stories about the previous lives of the Buddha. In these lives he is said to have worked towards becoming a Buddha. The Jataka tales (tales of those previous lives) show him sacrificing his life, his health, his possessions and ultimately even his wife and kids for the wellfare of others. This sacrificial attitude shows why he was capable of becoming a Buddha - while most of us aren't (in this lifetime). And because he was on his way to becoming a Buddha, he is called 'the bodhisattva' in those lives as well.
Being Upright
Zen Meditation and the Bodhisattva Precepts
It's unusual in the West to stress the place of ethics and precepts in Zen Buddhism. Zen is usually seen as a path of freedom, without rules or regulations.
Being Upright: Zen Meditation and the Bodhisattva Precepts
Amazon Price: $10.25 (as of 02/15/2012)
This book explains the place of ideals of kindness and giving in the path towards realizing Buddha Nature in oneself. Within this context the 16 great Bodhisattva Precepts make sense. They enrich our understanding of what Buddha-ness is all about.
The explanations by Anderson come close to home and really make these teachings come alive.
The Arhat ideal - selflessness in Theravada Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism does not expect us to become Buddhas, but Arhats
In Theravada Buddhism each kalpa (or age) has only one Buddha. This also implies that there is a very limited number of future Buddhas or Bodhisattvas. The Maitreya is one such future Buddha - famous not just amongst Theravada Buddhists, but among Mahayana Buddhists as well.
Everybody else is expected to become enlightened without being able to become a world teacher. This ideal is the 'arhat' ideal. Theravada Buddhists will ask: fighting for one's own enlightenment is hard enough, why presume to be able to save the rest of conscious existence as well?
Everybody else is expected to become enlightened without being able to become a world teacher. This ideal is the 'arhat' ideal. Theravada Buddhists will ask: fighting for one's own enlightenment is hard enough, why presume to be able to save the rest of conscious existence as well?
Primary Bodhisattva Vows, start of the secondary vows
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Books on Bodhisattvas and the Buddhist path
Mahayana Buddhist religious views
Part 3 of Bodhisattva Vows video
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The essence of Mahayana Buddhism: the Bodhisattva ideal
You CAN become a Buddha, you CAN help save humanity
At some point in history people became dissatisfied with being told that they could not help save other people. Mahayana Buddhism, where each person is in essence a Buddha (though we don't yet know it), fills that gap.
In Mahayana Buddhism the central ideal is the Bodhisattva ideal. People entering Zen Buddhism as a serious spiritual path will be taught to pray the Bodhisattva Vow. The same is true for Tibetan Buddhism. It is thought to be selfish to just want to save your self - and ignore all other beings. Instead one vows not just to reach enlightenment, but to get the knowledge necessary to save others as well.
In Mahayana Buddhism the central ideal is the Bodhisattva ideal. People entering Zen Buddhism as a serious spiritual path will be taught to pray the Bodhisattva Vow. The same is true for Tibetan Buddhism. It is thought to be selfish to just want to save your self - and ignore all other beings. Instead one vows not just to reach enlightenment, but to get the knowledge necessary to save others as well.
Buddhism Calendars, jewelry, books and other gifts
Part 4 explanation of the Bodhisattva Vows
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More Mahayana Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhism religious beliefs and practices
In Tibetan Buddhism and Zen Buddhism - though it's not known to many Westerners - the Bodhisattva ideal is paramount. It's the very foundation of everything else.
From the UK? Get the Zen book on the Bodhisattva Principles
The following link is to amazon.co.uk - get this for yourself or your Buddhist friends...
So, what do you think about the Bodhisattva Vow? or this page?
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NanLT
Sep 11, 2010 @ 11:40 am | delete
- One lifetime, I hope to be a Boddhisattva.
Meanwhile, I try to live as if I already am.
I think that if I had not chosen Paganism as my path this lifetime, I would probably have been Buddhist.
blessed by an angel and the captcha is so fitting yet again: delightful
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CrypticFragments
Mar 12, 2010 @ 12:29 pm | delete
- interesting as always...lensrolled to my prayer wheels and Schools of Tibetan Buddhism lenses
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RinchenChodron
Jan 10, 2010 @ 10:13 am | delete
- Many thanks to Shantideva! Great lens - five stars.
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Aug 18, 2009 @ 4:21 pm | delete
- Another great lens. Will check out more of them.
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ArtisticMind
Apr 16, 2009 @ 11:01 pm | delete
- WOW! Great and informative lens, thanks for bringing to the world!
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