Bodhisattva
Bodhisattva (byang chub sems dpa')
- A spiritual trainee dedicated to the cultivation of an enlightened attitude (cittotpāda) or the altruistic enlightened mind, who is on the path to full enlightenment, gradually traversing the five bodhisattva paths (pañcamārga) and ten bodhisattva levels (daśabhūmi). The Sanskrit term bodhisattva, which is defined as "awakening hero" or "spiritual warrior of enlightenment," denotes a courageous individual whose entire being is dedicated towards a single goal, i.e. to bring about the welfare of all sentient beings. An essential element of this commitment to work for others is the determination purposely to remain within cyclic existence instead of simply seeking freedom from suffering for oneself. Philosophically, the bodhisattva is said to have fully realised the two aspects of selflessness, with respect to dissonant mental states and the nature of all phenomena. For a detailed description of the bodhisattva ideal, refer to Paul Williams, Mahāyāna Buddhism, pp. 185-214; and NSTB, pp. 231-7. GD (from the Glossary to Tibetan Elemental Divination Paintings)
Bodhisattva (byang chub sems dpa'): One who through compassion strives to attain the full enlightenment buddhahood for the sake of all beings. [MR]
bodhisattva (T: byang chub sems dpa') One who has committed oneself to the Mahayana path of compassion and the practice of the six paramitas. The bodhisattva's vow, taken in the presence of one's spiritual friend (S: kalyanamitra), is one of relinquishing one's personal enlightenment to work for all sentient beings, The vow is continually renewed in order to work for all sentient beings. The vow is continually renewed in order to mix one's being with the Mahayana mind of bodhichitta. Bodhisattva deities represent qualities of enlightened mind active in our life. Rain of Wisdom
Bodhisattvas (byang chub sems dpa') are beings who have realized the empty nature of phenomena and the non-existence of individual self. They are free from the klesas, or ordinary emotions. There are ten bodhisattva levels or bhumis. The eleventh bhumi is that of consummate buddhahood, which is realized when both obscurations, that of the klesas and that which veils total wisdom, have been cleared in an irreversible way. In a broader sense a bodhisattva is a being engaged in practicing the mahayana teachings. [MR]
bodhisattva (byang chub sems dpa'). Someone who has developed bodhichitta, the aspiration to attain enlightenment in order to benefit all sentient beings. A practitioner of the Mahayana path; especially a noble bodhisattva who has attained the first level.[RY]
See also: