Character-type
character-type (gotra, 種性). The Sanskrit word gotra means family. According to the Garland Sūtra (T24n1485), Bodhisattvas are classified into five character-types, corresponding to the middle five of the seven stages of the Bodhisattva Way:
(1) the learning character-type (習種性) is developed through the ten levels of abiding;
(2) the nature character-type (性種性) is developed through the ten levels of action;
(3) the bodhi character-type (道種性) is developed through the ten levels of transference of merit;
(4) the holy character-type (聖種性) is developed through the Ten Grounds;
(5) the virtually perfect enlightenment nature (等覺性) is developed when a Bodhisattva attains enlightenment that nearly equals a Buddha’s. At the seventh stage, a Bodhisattva becomes a Buddha, whose perfect enlightenment nature (妙覺性) is fully revealed. Besides, those with affinity for the Voice-Hearer Vehicle are called the voice-hearer character-type; those with affinity for the Pratyekabuddha Vehicle are called the Pratyekabuddha character-type (see Two Vehicles).
