Difference between revisions of "Bodhisatta"
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| − | The [[word]] '''[[bodhisatta]]''' ([[Pali]]), [[bodhisattva]] ([[Sanskrit]]) is a compound made up of the [[Sanskrit]] words [[bodhi]] meaning ‘[[enlightenment]]’ and ÷akta meaning ‘[[attached]] to.’ Thus a [[bodhisattva]] is a being who has dedicated his or her [[self]] to [[attaining]] [[enlightenment]]. In the [[Tipitaka]] the [[word]] [[bodhisatta]] is used exclusively for the [[Buddha]] before his [[enlightenment]]. The [[Jàtaka]] stories are, according to [[tradition]], accounts of the [[Buddha’s]] [[life]] and [[deeds]] as a [[bodhisatta]]. In the [[Theravada]], it represents a being on the way to [[enlightenment]] whereas in the [[Mahayana]] it has come to mean a being vowing to stay in [[samsara]] to help all [[beings]] to [[enlightenment]], to the point of foregoing [[nibbana]] ([[nirvana]] in [[Sanskrit]]). [[Mahayana Buddhism]] recognises many [[bodhisattvas]], the most important being [[Maitriya]] and [[Avalokiteshvara]]. According to [[Mahayana]], these and other [[bodhisattvas]] have taken a [[vow]] to attain [[complete enlightenment]] and been [[reborn]] in a [[heavenly realm]] from where they often respond to people’s [[prayers]] for help. | + | |
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| + | The [[word]] '''[[bodhisatta]]''' ([[Pali]]), [[bodhisattva]] ([[Sanskrit]]) is a compound made up of the [[Sanskrit]] words [[bodhi]] meaning ‘[[enlightenment]]’ and ÷akta meaning ‘[[attached]] to.’ Thus a [[bodhisattva]] is a being who has dedicated his or her [[self]] to [[attaining]] [[enlightenment]]. In the [[Tipitaka]] the [[word]] [[bodhisatta]] is used exclusively for the [[Buddha]] before his | ||
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| + | [[enlightenment]]. The [[Jàtaka]] stories are, according to [[tradition]], accounts of the [[Buddha’s]] [[life]] and [[deeds]] as a [[bodhisatta]]. In the [[Theravada]], it represents a being on the way to [[enlightenment]] whereas in the [[Mahayana]] it has come to mean a being vowing to stay in [[samsara]] to help all [[beings]] to [[enlightenment]], to the point of foregoing [[nibbana]] ([[nirvana]] in | ||
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| + | [[Sanskrit]]). [[Mahayana Buddhism]] recognises many [[bodhisattvas]], the most important being [[Maitriya]] and [[Avalokiteshvara]]. According to [[Mahayana]], these and other [[bodhisattvas]] have taken a [[vow]] to attain [[complete enlightenment]] and been [[reborn]] in a [[heavenly realm]] from where they often respond to people’s [[prayers]] for help. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | *''[[Buddha's Lists|The Complete Book of Buddha's Lists -- Explained]]''. [[David N. Snyder]], Ph.D., 2006. | + | *''[[Buddha's Lists|The Complete Book of Buddha's Lists -- Explained]]''. [[David N. Snyder]], [[Ph.D]]., 2006. |
*http://www.thedhamma.com/ | *http://www.thedhamma.com/ | ||
*http://www.BuddhismA2Z.com/ | *http://www.BuddhismA2Z.com/ | ||
Latest revision as of 22:56, 2 January 2024
The word bodhisatta (Pali), bodhisattva (Sanskrit) is a compound made up of the Sanskrit words bodhi meaning ‘enlightenment’ and ÷akta meaning ‘attached to.’ Thus a bodhisattva is a being who has dedicated his or her self to attaining enlightenment. In the Tipitaka the word bodhisatta is used exclusively for the Buddha before his
enlightenment. The Jàtaka stories are, according to tradition, accounts of the Buddha’s life and deeds as a bodhisatta. In the Theravada, it represents a being on the way to enlightenment whereas in the Mahayana it has come to mean a being vowing to stay in samsara to help all beings to enlightenment, to the point of foregoing nibbana (nirvana in
Sanskrit). Mahayana Buddhism recognises many bodhisattvas, the most important being Maitriya and Avalokiteshvara. According to Mahayana, these and other bodhisattvas have taken a vow to attain complete enlightenment and been reborn in a heavenly realm from where they often respond to people’s prayers for help.
References
- The Complete Book of Buddha's Lists -- Explained. David N. Snyder, Ph.D., 2006.
- http://www.thedhamma.com/
- http://www.BuddhismA2Z.com/
- The Bodhisattva Idea in Buddhist Sanskrit Literature. H. Dayal, 1932.
see also: Bodhisattva
