Development of Bodhisattva in Buddhism By Somboon Phanna, PhD Graduate School, MCU.
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Development of Bodhisattva in Buddhism By Somboon Phanna, PhD Graduate School, MCU
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Transcript of Development of Bodhisattva in Buddhism By Somboon Phanna, PhD Graduate School, MCU.
Development of Bodhisattva in Buddhism
BySomboon Phanna, PhDGraduate School, MCU
Walpola Rahula stated that the bodhisattva ideal has traditionally been held to be higher than the state of a śrāvaka not only in Mahayana but also in Theravada Buddhism.
He also quotes an inscription from the 10th Century king of Sri Lanka, Mahinda IV (956-972 CE), who had the words inscribed "none but the bodhisattvas will become kings of a prosperous Lanka,"
Introduction to Bodhisattva
There is a wide-spread belief, particularly in the West, that the ideal of the Theravada, which they conveniently identify with Hinayana, is to become an Arahant while that of the Mahayana is to become a Bodhisattva and finally to attain the state of a Buddha. It must be stated that this is incorrect.
This idea was spread by some early Orientalists at a time when Buddhist studies were beginning in the West, and the others who followed them accepted it without taking the trouble to go into the problem by examining the texts and living traditions in Buddhist countries.
But the fact is that both the Theravada and the Mahayana unanimously accept the Bodhisattva ideal as the highest.
Introduction to Bodhisattva
Definitions of “Bodhisattva”
The word “Bodhisattva” comes from two Sanskrit words (Pali: Bodhisatta): \
-Bodhi = Enlightenment, Knowledge -Satta = Being
Bodhisattva: “the one committed to enlightenment.” Bodhisattva: “the one who seeks Enlightenment for the sake of
all beings” Bodhisattva = “a being (sattva) who aspires to enlightenment
(bodhi) Bodhisattva = “a being who is destined for enlightenment.” Bodhisattva = “a being who is well on the way to becoming a
Buddha.”
Meanings of BodhisattvaIn early Buddhism, bodhisattva refers to “the
previous lives of a (or the) Buddha.”In Mahayana Buddhism, bodhisattva refers to a
human being committed to the attainment of enlightenment for the sake of others. Becoming a bodhisattva is the goal of Mahayana Buddhism.
Bodhisattva may also refer in Mahayana Buddhism to archetypal bodhisattvas: mythical beings such as Avalokiteshvara and Manjushri, who are objects of devotion.
The word bodhisattva therefore originally meant something like “a being who is well on the way to becoming a Buddha.”
The previous lives of the bodhisatta Sakyamuni are told in the Jataka (birth stories) that illustrate the Buddha-to-be’s development of good qualities such as patience, generosity, and compassion.
Meanings of Bodhisattva
Meanings of Bodhisattva The Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra
contains a simple and brief definition for the term bodhisattva, which is also the earliest known Mahāyāna definition. This definition is given as the following:
“Because he has enlightenment as his aim, a bodhisattva-mahāsattva is so called.”
The word “bodhisatta” appears in the Pali canon to refer to: (a) The historical Buddha, Shakyamuni,
before his enlightenment, and (b) The current life or lives of the
Buddha-to-come, Maitreya (Pali Metteya).
Bodhisattva in Early Buddhism
Bodhisattva in Early Buddhism In Theravada Buddhism, the term bodhisatta is used to refer to
Gautama Buddha in his previous lives and as a young man in his current life in the period during which he was working towards his own liberation. \
When, during his discourses, he recounts his experiences as a young aspirant, he regularly uses the phrase "When I was an unenlightened bodhisatta..."
The term therefore connotes a being who is "bound for enlightenment", in other words, a person whose aim is to become fully enlightened.
In the Pāli canon, the bodhisatta is also described as someone who is still subject to birth, illness, death, sorrow, defilement, and delusion.
In later Theravada literature, the term "bodhisatta" is used frequently in the sense of someone on the path to liberation.
The later tradition of commentary also recognizes the existence of two additional types of bodhisattas: the paccekabodhisatta, who will attain Paccekabuddhahood, and the savakabodhisatta, who will attain enlightenment as a disciple of a Buddha.
Bodhisattva in Theravada Buddhism
Kings of Sri Lanka were often described as bodhisattvas, starting at least as early as Sirisanghabodhi, who was renowned for his compassion, who took vows for the welfare of the citizens, and was regarded as a mahāsatta.
Many other kings of Sri Lanka from the 3rd century until the 15th century were also described as bodhisattvas and their royal duties were sometimes clearly associated with the practice of the Ten Pāramitās.[
Bodhisattva in Theravada Buddhism
The Mahayana seems to have arisen at least in part because of a perception that Buddhist practitioners in certain schools (which they pejoratively dubbed the “Hinayana,” or “Lesser Vehicle”) had too narrow a conception of the Buddhist path, seeing it purely in terms of liberating oneself from suffering without regard to the wellbeing of others.
Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism
This self-centered orientation was in conflict with the Buddha’s original emphasis that his disciples “go forth for the welfare of the many” and with his own untiring concern with the wellbeing of others.
Mahayanists therefore looked back to the Buddha’s own life for inspiration. Prior to his own enlightenment, the Buddha-to-be, or Bodhisattva, was said to have spent countless lifetimes cultivating the perfection of compassion and generosity.
Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism
Mahāyāna Buddhism encourages everyone to become bodhisattvas and to take the bodhisattva vows.
With these vows, one makes the promise to work for the complete enlightenment of all sentient beings by practicing the six perfections
Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism
Bodhisattva vowA Bodhisattva vow is found at the end of the Avatamsaka
Sutra by Samantabhadra. In the Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra, Shantideva explains that the Bodhisattva vow is taken with the following famous two verses from Sutra:
Just as all the previous Sugatas, the BuddhasGenerated the mind of enlightenmentAnd accomplished all the stagesOf the Bodhisattva training,So will I too, for the sake of all beings,Generate the mind of enlightenmentAnd accomplish all the stagesOf the Bodhisattva training.[
