The Bodhisattva’s Path

The Sanskrit word "Bodhisattva" refers to a being who is dedicated to awakening and acts in the best interests of all life. Among all Buddhist practices, the method of the Bodhisattva is one of the most radical and potent. 

It is radical because it contends that fulfilling the needs of others as well as our own is the true fulfilment of happiness. Our highest levels of happiness are associated with the wellbeing of others.

The Bodhisattva’s path is in striking contrast with the excessive individualism of our culture. Every wisdom tradition tells us that human meaning and happiness cannot be found in isolation but come about through generosity, love, and understanding. The Bodhisattva, knowing this, appears in a thousand forms, from scientist to teacher, activist, or nurse, from a caring grandmother to an engaged global citizen.

Meditators often recite the Bodhisattva vows when they sit, offering the benefit of their practice for the sake of others: “Sentient beings are numberless; I vow to bring liberation to us all.” Like the ancient Hippocratic oath, the vow to serve the sick taken by every physician, the bodhisattva vows to serve the welfare of all. In a more poetic fashion, the Dalai Lama regularly recites Bodhisattva vows based on the words of the beloved sixth-century sage Shantideva:

May I be a guard for those who need protection?
A guide for those on the path
A boat, a raft, and a bridge for those who wish to cross the flood
May I be a lamp in the darkness?
A resting place for the weary
A healing medicine for all who are sick
A vase of plenty, a tree of miracles
And for the boundless multitudes of living beings
May I bring sustenance and awakening?

Enduring like the earth and sky

Until all beings are freed from sorrow
And all are awakened. 

A Bodhisattva (Pali, Bodhisatta) is a person who, according to Buddhism, is on the path to attaining the status of an enlightened being. More specifically, the term is commonly used for someone on the path to becoming a fully enlightened Buddha.

As part of the Bodhisattva path

Passage through the grounds and paths begins with Bodhicitta, the wish to liberate all sentient beings. Aspiring Bodhicitta becomes engaged Bodhicitta upon actual commitment to the Bodhisattva vows. With these steps, the practitioner becomes a Bodhisattva and enters the paths. 

Before attaining the ten grounds, the Bodhisattva traverses the first two of the five Mahayana paths:

1. The path of accumulation
2. The path of preparation

The ten grounds of the Bodhisattva are grouped within the three subsequent paths:

1. Bhumi 1: The Path of Seeing
2. Bhumi 2-7: The Path of Meditation
3. Bhumi 8-10: The path of no more learning.

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Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in 2008, we have been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 14 years. We have exceptionally constrained support and do not receive subsidies or funding from people in general.

 

Please help us develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you but all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us enhance our work and accomplish more for a better and brighter future.

 

Thank you for reading. May you find peace and great bliss. With your support, it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turn the Dharma wheels in the world.

 

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease.

But increase further and further.

 

Dedication of Merit

By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

 

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright on the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and/or studios

The picture(s) are intended for editorial use only.

The Basic Introduction To The Bodhisattva Vow

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva / 地蔵菩薩

The Bodhisattva vow is a vow (Sanskrit: pranidhana, lit. aspiration or resolution) taken by some Mahayana Buddhists to achieve full Buddhahood for the sake of all sentient beings. One who has taken the vow is nominally known as a Bodhisattva (a being working towards Buddhahood). This can be done by venerating all Buddhas and by cultivating supreme moral and spiritual perfection to be placed in the service of others.

Particularly, Bodhisattvas promise to practice the six perfections of giving, moral discipline, patience, effort, concentration, and wisdom in order to fulfil their hicitta aim of attaining Buddhahood for the sake of all beings. 

The vow is commonly taken in a ritual setting, overseen by a senior monastic, teacher, or guru. Whereas the pratimokṣa vows cease at death, the bodhisattva vow extends into future lives. The Bodhisattva vows should not be confused with the Bodhisattva Precepts (Sanskrit: Bodhisattva-sila), which are specific ethical guidelines for Bodhisattvas. 

According to the Mahavastu, Shakyamuni Buddha's first vow to become a Buddha was made under another past Buddha also called Shakyamuni. The vow is reported as follows:

When the Bodhisattvas have laid up an abundant store of merit and have their body and mind well developed, they approach the beautiful Buddhas and turn their thoughts to enlightenment (each vowing).

"By the merit I have formerly laid up in store, may I have insight into all things. May my vow not come to naught, but may what I vow come to pass.

"May my store of the root of merit be great enough for all living beings. Whatever evil deed has been done by me, may I alone reap its bitter fruit.

"So may I run my course through the world as He whose mind is rid of attachments does. May I set rolling the wheel of Dharma that has not its equal and is honoured and revered by devas and men." 

The Mahavastu depicts Shakyamuni taking other vows under other past Buddhas. When he meets the past Buddha Samitavin, the text also contains another vow, which is similar to the "fourfold vow" found in Mahayana sources:

May I in some future time become a Tathagata, an Arhan, a perfect Buddha, proficient in knowledge and conduct, a Sugata, an unsurpassed knower of the world, a driver of tameable men, and a teacher of devas and men, as this exalted Samitāvin now is. May I become endowed with the thirty-two marks of a great man, and may my body be adorned with his eighty minor characteristics. 

May I have the eighteen distinctive attributes of Buddhahood, be strong with the ten powers of a Tathagata, and be confident with the four grounds of self-confidence, as this exalted, perfect Buddha Samitāvin now is. Having crossed over, may I lead others across; comforted, may I comfort others; emancipated, may I emancipate others. May I become so for the benefit and welfare of mankind, out of compassion for the world, for the good of the multitude, and for the welfare and benefit of devas and men. 

The Theravada Nidanakatha has the following verses attributed to Sumedha (the past life of the Buddha) when he made his vow to become a Buddha under the past Buddha Dipankara: 

As I lay upon the ground, this was the thought in my heart: if I wished it, I might this day destroy within me all human passions.

But why should I, in disguise, arrive at the knowledge of the truth? I will attain omniscience and become a Buddha, and I will save men and devas.

Why should I cross the ocean resolutely but alone? I will attain omniscience and enable men and devas to cross.

By this resolution of mine, I, a man of resolution, will attain omniscience and save men and devas, cutting off the stream of transmigration, annihilating the three forms of existence, and embarking on the ship of the truth. I will carry across with me men and devas. 

Donations for our Buddhist research and development

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in 2008, we have been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 14 years. We have exceptionally constrained support and do not receive subsidies or funding from people in general.

 

Please help us develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you but all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us enhance our work and accomplish more for a better and brighter future.

 

Thank you for reading. May you find peace and great bliss. With your support, it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turn the Dharma wheels in the world.

 

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease.

But increase further and further.

 

Dedication of Merit

By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

 

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright on the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and/or studios

The picture(s) are intended for editorial use only.

 

The Ten Stages of the Bodhisattva Path - Tenth Bhumi (10/10)

 

Maitreya-natha Bodhisattva / 彌勒菩薩

In Buddhism, Bhumi, or stage. Every stage represents a level of attainment in that case and serves as the basis for the next one. Each level marks a definite advancement in one's training that is accompanied by progressively greater power and wisdom.

Stages, or Bhumi, is a Sanskrit word for "land" or "ground," and the list of ten Bhumis are ten "lands" a Bodhisattva must pass through on the way to Buddhahood. The Bhumis were important to early Mahayana Buddhism. A list of ten Bhumis appears in several Mahayana texts, although they are not always identical. The Bhumis are also associated with the perfections, or Paramitas.

The ten Bhumis literally mean the "grounds" or levels of Bodhisattvas in which the qualities of their training unfold. With the attainment of the tenth Bhumi, one arrives at and eventually reaches perfection at complete enlightenment. 

Many schools of Buddhism describe some kind of path of development. Often, these are extensions of the Eightfold Path. Since this is a description of the progress of a Bodhisattva, much of the list below promotes the turning from concern for oneself to concern for others. 

In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva is the ideal of practise. This is an enlightened being who vows to remain in the world until all other beings realise enlightenment.

Here is a standard list taken from the Dashabhumika-sutra, which is taken from the larger Avatamsaka, or Flower Garland Sutra.

In the Ten Bhumis of the Dasabhumika Sutra. It refers to the following ten Bhumis:

1. The stage of joy, in which one rejoices at realising a partial aspect of the truth. 
2. The stage of freedom from defilement, in which one is free from all defilement.
3. The stage of the emission of light, in which one radiates the light of wisdom.
4. The stage of glowing wisdom, in which the flame of wisdom burns away earthly desires. 
5. The stage of the Difficult to Master. (Sanskrit: sudurjaya), in which one surmounts the illusions of darkness, or ignorance as the Middle Way. 
6. The stage of the sixth Bhumi, the manifest (Sanskrit: Abhimukhī) in which supreme wisdom begins to manifest.   
7. The stage of  the seventh Bhumi, the Gone Afar (Sanskrit: Duramgama), in which one rises above the states of the two vehicles. 
8. The eighth bhumi, the immovable (Sanskrit: acala), in which one dwells firmly in the truth of the Middle Way and cannot be perturbed by anything. 
9. The ninth Bhumi, the Good Intelligence (Sanskrit: sādhumatī), in which one preaches the Law freely and without restriction. 
10. The tenth Bhumi, the Cloud of Doctrine (Sanskrit: Dharmamegha), in which one benefits all sentient beings with the Law (Dharma), just as a cloud sends down rain impartially on all things. 

Maitreya-natha Bodhisattva / 彌勒菩薩

The tenth Bhumi, the Cloud of Doctrine

On the tenth Bhumi, Bodhisattvas overcome the subtlest traces of the afflictions. Like a cloud that pours rain on the earth, these Bodhisattvas spread the dharma in all directions, and each sentient being absorbs what it needs in order to grow spiritually. Thus, Nagarjuna Bodhisattva states that:

The tenth is the cloud of Dharma because
The rain of excellent doctrine falls.
The Bodhisattva is consecrated.
With light from the Buddhas.

At this stage, Bodhisattvas enter into progressively deeper meditative absorptions and develop limitless powers with regard to magical formulas. They cultivate the perfection of exalted wisdom, which, according to Asaṅga, enables them to increase their exalted wisdom. This, in turn, strengthens the other perfections. As a result, they become established in the joy of the doctrine.

They acquire perfect bodies, and their minds are cleansed of the subtlest traces of their afflictions. They manifest in limitless forms for the benefit of others and transcend the ordinary laws of time and space. They are able to place entire world systems in a single pore without diminishing them or increasing the size of the pore. When they do this, the beings inhabiting the worlds feel no discomfort, and only those who are advanced Bodhisattvas even notice.

Bodhisattvas on this level receive a form of empowerment from innumerable Buddhas. This is called "great rays of light", because the radiance of these bodhisattvas shines in all directions. This empowerment helps them remove the remaining obstructions to omniscience and gives them added confidence and strength. At the final moment of this stage, they enter into a meditative state called vajralike meditative stabilisation,, in which the subtlest remaining obstacles to Buddhahood are overcome. They arise from this concentration as Buddhas.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva / 地蔵菩薩

As part of the Bodhisattva path

Passage through the grounds and paths begins with Bodhicitta, the wish to liberate all sentient beings. Aspiring Bodhicitta becomes engaged Bodhicitta upon actual commitment to the Bodhisattva vows. With these steps, the practitioner becomes a Bodhisattva and enters the paths.

Before attaining the ten grounds, the bodhisattva traverses the first two of the five Mahayana paths:

1. The path of accumulation
2. The path of preparation

The ten grounds of the bodhisattva are grouped within the three subsequent paths:

1. Bhumi 1: The Path of Seeing
2. Bhumi 2-7: The Path of Meditation
3. Bhumi 8-10: The path of no more learning 
   
   Donations for our Buddhist research and development

   Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?

   
   

   We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in 2008, we have been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 14 years. We have exceptionally constrained support and do not receive subsidies or funding from people in general.

    

   Please help us develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you but all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us enhance our work and accomplish more for a better and brighter future.

    

   Thank you for reading. May you find peace and great bliss. With your support, it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turn the Dharma wheels in the world.

    

   Aspiration For Bodhichitta

   For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

   May it arise and not decrease.

   But increase further and further.

    

   Dedication of Merit

   By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.

   Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings

   May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

   With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

    

   *Note

   I do not own or infringe any copyright on the picture(s).

   Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and/or studios

   The picture(s) are intended for editorial use only.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

The Ten Stages of the Bodhisattva Path - Ninth Bhumi (9/10)

 

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva / 地蔵菩薩

In Buddhism, Bhumi, or stage. Every stage represents a level of attainment in that case and serves as the basis for the next one. Each level marks a definite advancement in one's training that is accompanied by progressively greater power and wisdom.

Stages, or Bhumi, is a Sanskrit word for "land" or "ground," and the list of ten Bhumis are ten "lands" a Bodhisattva must pass through on the way to Buddhahood. The Bhumis were important to early Mahayana Buddhism. A list of ten Bhumis appears in several Mahayana texts, although they are not always identical. The Bhumis are also associated with the perfections, or Paramitas.

The ten Bhumis literally mean the "grounds" or levels of Bodhisattvas in which the qualities of their training unfold. With the attainment of the tenth Bhumi, one arrives at and eventually reaches perfection at complete enlightenment. 

Many schools of Buddhism describe some kind of path of development. Often, these are extensions of the Eightfold Path. Since this is a description of the progress of a Bodhisattva, much of the list below promotes the turning from concern for oneself to concern for others. 

In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva is the ideal of practise. This is an enlightened being who vows to remain in the world until all other beings realise enlightenment.

Here is a standard list taken from the Dashabhumika-sutra, which is taken from the larger Avatamsaka, or Flower Garland Sutra.

In the Ten Bhumis of the Dasabhumika Sutra. It refers to the following ten Bhumis:

1. The stage of joy, in which one rejoices at realising a partial aspect of the truth. 
2. The stage of freedom from defilement, in which one is free from all defilement.
3. The stage of the emission of light, in which one radiates the light of wisdom.
4. The stage of glowing wisdom, in which the flame of wisdom burns away earthly desires. 
5. The stage of the Difficult to Master. (Sanskrit: sudurjaya), in which one surmounts the illusions of darkness, or ignorance as the Middle Way. 
6. The stage of the sixth Bhumi, the manifest (Sanskrit: Abhimukhī) in which supreme wisdom begins to manifest.   
7. The stage of  the seventh Bhumi, the Gone Afar (Sanskrit: Duramgama), in which one rises above the states of the two vehicles. 
8. The eighth bhumi, the immovable (Sanskrit: acala), in which one dwells firmly in the truth of the Middle Way and cannot be perturbed by anything. 
9. The ninth Bhumi, the Good Intelligence (Sanskrit: sādhumatī), in which one preaches the Law freely and without restriction. 
   
   Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva / 地蔵菩薩

The Ninth Bhumi, the Good Intelligence

From this point on, bodhisattvas move quickly towards awakening. Before this stage, progress was comparatively slow, like a boat being towed through a harbour. On the eighth through tenth bhumi, however, Bodhisattvas make huge strides towards buddhahood, like a ship that reaches the ocean and unfurls its sails. 

On the ninth level, they fully understand the three vehicles—hearers, solitary realizers, and Bodhisattvas—and perfect their ability to teach the doctrine. According to the Sutra explaining the thought.

Because of attaining faultlessness and very extensive intelligence in terms of mastery of teaching the doctrine in all aspects, the ninth level is called good intelligence."

Ninth bhumi Bodhisattvas also acquire the "four analytical knowledges"—of fundamental concepts, meaning, grammar, and exposition. Due to this, they develop wondrous eloquence and skill in presenting doctrinal teachings. Their intelligence surpasses that of all humans and gods, and they comprehend all names, words, meanings, and languages.

They can understand any question from any being. They also have the ability to answer them with a single sound, which is understood by each being according to its capacities. On this level they also cultivate the perfection of virya, which means that because of the strength of their mastery of the four analyticaIl knowledges and their meditation, they are able to develop paramitas energetically and to practice them continually without becoming fatigued. 

Donations for our Buddhist research and development

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in 2008, we have been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 14 years. We have exceptionally constrained support and do not receive subsidies or funding from people in general.

 

Please help us develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you but all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us enhance our work and accomplish more for a better and brighter future.

 

Thank you for reading. May you find peace and great bliss. With your support, it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turn the Dharma wheels in the world.

 

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease.

But increase further and further.

 

Dedication of Merit

By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

 

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright on the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and/or studios

The picture(s) are intended for editorial use only.