9.1 The Bodhisattva path and vows

The Bodhisattva path represents a core ideal in Mahayana Buddhism. It centers on enlightened beings who delay their own liberation to help others achieve enlightenment, embodying compassion and wisdom in their tireless efforts to guide others.

This path contrasts with the Arahant path of early Buddhism, which focuses on individual liberation. Bodhisattvas take vows and progress through ten stages, each cultivating specific perfections to develop the qualities needed for Buddhahood and to benefit all beings.

The Bodhisattva Path

Concept of Bodhisattva

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• Enlightened being postpones own final liberation (parinirvana) to help all sentient beings attain enlightenment
• Embodies compassion, wisdom, and skillful means
• Works tirelessly to guide others towards the path of liberation (Buddha, Avalokiteśvara)
• Considered the highest spiritual ideal in Mahayana Buddhism
• Emphasizes benefiting others and interconnectedness of all beings
• Ultimate goal is attaining Buddhahood for the sake of all sentient beings

Bodhisattva vs Arahant paths

• Arahant path in early Buddhism focuses on individual liberation from suffering (dukkha) and cycle of rebirth (samsara)
  • Arahants strive to attain Nirvana for themselves
  • Not primarily concerned with liberation of others (Śāriputra, Mahākāśyapa)
• Bodhisattva path in Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes helping all beings attain enlightenment
  • Bodhisattvas postpone own final liberation to work for benefit of others
  • Cultivate compassion (karuna) and wisdom (prajna) to skillfully guide sentient beings (Mañjuśrī, Samantabhadra)

Bodhisattva Vows and Stages

Significance of Bodhisattva vows

• Set of commitments made by aspiring Bodhisattvas to guide spiritual practice and conduct
• Serves as framework for cultivating qualities and actions necessary to attain Buddhahood for benefit of all beings
• The Four Great Vows of a Bodhisattva:
  1. Vow to save numberless sentient beings
  2. Vow to end inexhaustible delusions
  3. Vow to enter boundless Dharma gates
  4. Vow to attain unsurpassable Buddha Way
• Taking vows signifies deep commitment to path of compassion
• Willingness to work tirelessly for liberation of all beings

Stages of Bodhisattva path

• Divided into ten stages (bhūmis), each associated with cultivation of specific perfection (pāramitā)
  1. The Joyous (Pramuditā): Cultivates generosity (Dāna)
  2. The Stainless (Vimalā): Cultivates moral discipline (Śīla)
  3. The Luminous (Prabhākarī): Cultivates patience (Kṣānti)
  4. The Radiant (Arciṣmatī): Cultivates diligence (Vīrya)
  5. The Difficult to Conquer (Sudurjayā): Cultivates meditation (Dhyāna)
  6. The Manifest (Abhimukhī): Cultivates wisdom (Prajñā)
  7. The Far-Going (Dūraṃgamā): Cultivates skillful means (Upāya)
  8. The Immovable (Acalā): Cultivates vow (Praṇidhāna)
  9. The Good Intelligence (Sādhumatī): Cultivates power (Bala)
  10. The Cloud of Dharma (Dharmameghā): Cultivates knowledge (Jñāna)
• Cultivating perfections at each stage helps develop necessary qualities and insights
• Progresses Bodhisattvas along path to Buddhahood (Vimalakīrti, Sudhana)