bodhisattva

created by dem bones

(person) by option8 (?) (print) ? (I like it!) Sat Nov 13 1999 at 9:40:49

Bodhisattva The word Bodhisattva is derived from Bodhi and Sattva, the former term meaning enlightened, and the latter term meaning sentimental. Strictly speaking, a Bodhisattva should be an enlightened being, such as Arhat or even Buddha, who regards the deliverance of sentient beings as the highest aspiration. By definition, a true arhat eradicates the Three Poisons (greed, hatred and illusion) in the Three Realms (Desire, Form, Formlessness), then enters Nirvana.

(person) by dem bones (1.4 y) (print) ? (I like it!) 1 C! Fri Feb 18 2000 at 20:11:42

Sanskrit = enlightenment-being

Term often used to refer to the Buddha before he attained supreme enlightenment...more generally used to describe any being destined for enlightenment (prajna) or on a path to enlightenment.

Mahayana Buddhism's central teaching is the spiritual path of the bodhisattva via arousing the "mind of enlightenment". The monk takes a vow to attain supreme enlightenment for the "sake of all beings", postponing his shot at Nirvana in an act of supreme benevolence.

Very cool...

(person) by Wintersweet (1.2 y) (print) ? (I like it!) Fri Feb 18 2000 at 20:24:48

To elaborate just a little...Bodhisattvas have often postponed their ascendance/disappearance into Nirvana in order to stay on Earth and use their talents, whether for teaching others the path or for healing, etc., to help others. Many Mahayanans believe there are countless bodhisattvas on Earth at any moment. There is a corollary Chinese concept involving minor teacher deities who walk among humans teaching academic, artistic, or moral lessons, according to their own natures.

(idea) by riverrun (7.3 hr) (print) ? (I like it!) 2 C!s Mon May 14 2001 at 20:09:56

The Four Bodhisattva Vows

I resolve to become enlightened for the sake of all living beings.

I will cut the roots of all delusive passions.

I will penetrate the farthest gate of Dharma.

I will realize the supreme way of Buddha.

Dharma is Universal Law. The Way.

(definition) by Webster 1913 (print) Wed Apr 13 2005 at 6:31:39

Bo"dhi*sat (?), Bo`dhi*satt"va, Bo`dhi*satt"wa (?), n. [Skr. bodhisattva (perh. through Pali bodhisatto); fr. bodhi knowledge, enlightenment + sattva being, essence.] (Buddhism)

One who has reached the highest degree of saintship, so that in his next incarnation he will be a Buddha, or savior of the world. -- Bo"dhi*sat`ship, n.

printable version
chaos

Bodhi Day	How does an atheist swear a vow?	Dharma	Bodhisattvacaryavatara
Until today, it really pissed me off that I'd become this totally centered Zen Master and nobody had noticed	tapasya	Buddha	Only a simple computer program
Bodhisatta	Mahayana	Kuan Yin	ten grave precepts
Be Here Now	Maha prajna paramita hridaya sutra	Nirvana	prajna
Lacquer	Steely Dan	Guan Yin	The Way
trikaya	Pretzel Logic	Smokey the Bear Sutra	Enlightenment

Y'know, if you log in, you can write something here, or contact authors directly on the site. Create a New User if you don't already have an account.

Login
Password

remember me
password reminder
register

Everything2 Help

cooled by TheDeadGuy

The best nodes of all time:
Bait al-Hikmah
Rhubarb
Bud and Travis
American Indian Religious Freedom Act
No one is illegal
Old Bailey
Transmetropolitan
Monkey, monkey, monkey, monkey, William Shatner
West Side Story
Australian Aboriginal languages
Autobiographical Statement: Indexed by Rivers
RFID
Duty-Vans-a-Go-Go

tentative
Chances Not Taken	(idea)
Heitah
Why I love Everything2	(person)
trixingee
Dungeon Mastering for the first time	(idea)
Netrat0
It's Called Subtext, Honey	(person)
eyeofthebeholder
The Dragon	(idea)
Heitah
consist, comprise, constitute, or compose	(idea)
Meezzio
Gotlandssnus	(thing)
argv
Astral Plane	(idea)
Madara
One Winged Angel	(fiction)
Tom Rook
Talk is cheap	(poetry)
shaogo
Adelle Davis	(person)
Aerobe
race car g sfjsgsd	(poetry)
Binah
Dream Log: July 5, 2008	(dream)
StrawberryFrog
Forgotten things in space	(idea)
antigravpussy
velvet revolution fairy tale	(idea)

E2 is a by-product of the existence of The Everything Development Company