Bodhisattva

“For as long as space endures

And for as long as living beings remain,

Until then may I too abide

To dispel the misery of the world.”

Becoming a Bodhisattva is a huge step in helping not only yourself, but also every other sentient being, both seen and unseen. Most people are self-motivated and work primarily to solve their own problems, keeping others a distant second. Should someone do an act of kindness, repayment is generally expected whether in the form of a thank you and/or further praise.


A Bodhisattva is motivated by pure compassion and love. Their goal is to achieve the highest level of being: that of a Buddha.

Bodhisattva is a Sanskrit term which translates as: Bodhi [enlightenment] and sattva [being]. And their reason for becoming a Buddha is to help others. The Bodhisattva will undergo any type of suffering to help another sentient being, whether a tiny insect or a huge mammal. In Shakyamuni Buddha’s 'Perfection of Wisdom in 8,000 Lines' it states: “I will become a savior to all those beings, I will release them from all their sufferings.” If this sounds familiar to anyone not acquainted with Buddhism, then you only need to think of the example of Jesus Christ, a true Bodhisattva.

---

Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism

In Mahayana Buddhism, a bodhisattva has the compassionate determination to aid all beings on their quest for the highest state of development, full enlightenment of a Buddha. This type of motivation is known as bodhicitta. Remaining in this world of uncontrolled rebirth (samsara), this individual has taken the bodhisattva vows not to pass into nirvana until all other beings have likewise achieved enlightenment.

---

The Bodhisattva Ideal - Buddhism and the Aesthetics of Selflessness

---

Partial list of bodhisattvas

• Akasagarbha (Ch. 虛空藏　Xu Kong Zang, Jp. Kokuzo)
• Avalokitesvara (Ch. 觀音　Guan Yin, Jp. Kannon, Tib. Chenrezig)
• Ksitigarbha (Ch. 地藏　Di Zang, Jp. Jizo)
• Mahasthamaprapta (Ch. 大勢至 Da Shì Zhì, Jp. Seishi)
• Maitreya (Ch. 彌勒　Mi Le Jp. Miroku)
• Manjusri (Ch. 文殊　Wen Shu, Jp. Monju, Tib. Jampal Yang)
• Padmasambhava (Tib. Padma Jungne or Guru Rinpoche)
• Samantabhadra (Ch. 普賢　Pu Xian, Jp. Fugen, Tib. Kuntu Zangpo)
• Vajrapani (Ch. 金剛手 Jin Gang Shou, Jp.Shukongojin, Tib. Channa Dorje)

---