Bodhisattva Skt. , lit. , “enlightenment being”; in Mahāyāna Buddhism a bodhisattva is a being who seeks buddhahood through the systematic practice of the perfect virtues (pāramitā) but renounces complete entry into nirvāna until all beings are saved. The determining factor for his action is compassion (karunā), supported by highest insight and wisdom (prajñā). A bodhisattva provides active help, is ready to take upon himself the suffering of all other beings, and to transfer his own karmic merit to other beings. The way of a bodhisattva begins with arousing the thought of enlightenment (bodhicitta) and taking the bodhisattva vow (pranidhāna). The career of a bodhisattva is divided into ten stages (bhūmi). The bodhisattva ideal replaced in Mahāyāna the Hīnayāna ideal of the arhat, whose effort is directed towards the attainment of his own liberation, since this was found to be too narrow and ego-oriented.
The notion of the bodhisattva is already found in Hīnayāna writings, where it refers to the historical Buddha Shākyamuni in his previous existences as they are described in the Jātakas. In Mahāyāna the idea of the bodhisattva is rooted in the belief in future buddhas, who have long since existed as bodhisattvas.
The Mahāyāna distinguishes two kinds of bodhisattvas earthly and transcendent. Earthly bodhisattvas are persons who are distinguished from others by their compassion and altruism as well as their striving toward the attainment of enlightenment. Transcendent bodhisattvas have actualized the pāramitās and attained buddhahood but have postponed their entry into complete nirvāna. They are in possession of perfect wisdom and are no longer subject to samsāra. They appear in the most various forms in order to lead beings on the path to liberation. They are the object of the veneration of believers, who see them as showers of the way and helpers in time of need. The most important of these transcendent bodhisattvas are Avalokiteshvara, Mañjushrī, Kshitigarbha, Mahāsthāmaprāpta, and Samantabhadra.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion: Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zen. Shambhala Publications, Inc.
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