In Buddhist thought, a bodhisattva (Chinese: 菩萨; Pinyin: púsà; Japanese: bosatsu) is a being who is dedicated to assisting all sentient beings achieve complete Buddhahood. Conventionally, the term is applied to hypothetical beings with a high degree of enlightenment. Bodhisattva literally means a "wisdom ("bodhi") being ("sattva")" in Sanskrit. Bodhisattva - Bodhisattvas in Theravada Buddhism. In Th ...

Including:

• Bodhisattva - Bodhisattvas in Theravada Buddhism
• Bodhisattva - Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism
• Bodhisattva - Partial list of bodhisattvas

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Bodhisattva - N,H

A being who has supposedly earned the right to enter into Nirvana or into illumination, but instead voluntarily turns back from that state in order to aid humanity in attaining the same goal. The Christ is said to be a Bodhisattva.

(See also: Bodhisattva, New Age, Body mind and Soul)

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), the Bodhisattva has taken the bodhisattva vow to achieve Buddhahood as quickly as possible and thereby be most able to te ...

See also:

Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva - Bodhisattvas in Theravada Buddhism, Bodhisattva - Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism, Bodhisattva - The 10 Grounds of Buddhism, Bodhisattva - Partial list of bodhisattvas, Bodhisattva - Bodhisattva in popular culture

Read more here: » Bodhisattva: Encyclopedia II - Bodhisattva - Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism

Buddhist mythology is a mythology within the Buddhism belief system. It is a relatively broad mythology, as it was adopted and influenced by several diverse cultures. As such, it includes many aspects taken from other mythologies of those cultures (for instance, Japanese kami are considered to be local bodhisattvas by many Japanese Buddhists). See also. Hindu mythology Bön Chinese mythology Japanese mythology ...

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After the ten bhumis, according to Mahayana Buddhism, one attains complete enlightenment and becomes a Buddha. Various traditions within Buddhism believe in certain specific bodhisattvas. Some bodhisattvas appear across traditions, but due to language barriers may be seen as separate entities. For example, Tibetan Buddhists believe in Chenrezig, who is Avalokitesvara in India, Kuan Yin (other spellings: Guan Yin, Kwan Yin, Quan Yin) in China, and Kannon in Japan. A modern bodhisattva for many is the 14th Dalai Lama, considered by many ...

See also:

Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva - Bodhisattvas in Theravada Buddhism, Bodhisattva - Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism, Bodhisattva - The 10 Grounds of Buddhism, Bodhisattva - Partial list of bodhisattvas, Bodhisattva - Bodhisattva in popular culture

Read more here: » Bodhisattva: Encyclopedia II - Bodhisattva - The 10 Grounds of Buddhism

In the Bodhisattva vows (sometimes called the Bodhisattva Precepts) of Mahayana Buddhism, the bodhisattvas take vows stating that they will not realize or attain Nirvana until all sentient beings have done so. This four-part vow is made out of compassion and the bodhisattva devotes his/her powers to helping others attain Nirvana. Buddhist lay persons may take the bodhisattva vows in order to initiate their spiritual journey. The following table of the four ...

Including:

• Bodhisattva vows - Brahma Net Sutra
• Bodhisattva vows - Asanga's Bodhisattvabhumi

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The Bodhicaryavatara, sometimes glossed as A Guide of to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life, is a famous Buddhist text written by Shantideva, around year 700. It has ten chapters dedicated to the development of an enlightened mind through the so called six perfections. The book also describes the benefits of the wish to reach enlightenment. A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way Of Life - Chapter summary. Chapter one: the benefits of the wish to reach full enlightenment for others Including:

• A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way Of Life - Chapter summary
• A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way Of Life - Translations available

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The term bodhimandala (Sanskrit for "buddha position" or "buddhahood"), in its original meaning, is the achievement of enlightenment, or the meditative posture adopted by a Buddhist to that end. By metonymy, the term bodhimandala is also (perhaps more frequently) used to describe a place, often a city, monastery, or temple, where a particular bodhisattva is believed to have achieved buddhahood, taught Dharma, or performed some other significant function. Ningbo, for example, is regarded by many Pure Lan ...

Including:

• Bodhimandala - Partial List of Bodhimandalas with respective Bodhisattvas

Read more here: » Bodhimandala: Encyclopedia - Bodhimandala

Karuna (originally a Pali word; also regarded as a Sanskrit word) is the Jainist concept of love. It is also translated as "compassion," a key concept of Mahayana Buddhism (see Bodhisattva and Avalokitesvara). As mercy, it is the special kindness shown to those who suffer. It is considered the indispensable complement to enlightened wisdom, Prajña. Compassion is important in all schools of Buddhism. Other related archivesAvalokitesvara, Bodhisattva, Buddhism, Jainist, Mahayana, Pali,

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Akasagarbha Bodhisattva (Chinese: 虛空藏菩薩) is one of the eight great bodhisattvas. His name can be translated as "boundless space treasury," as his wisdom is boundless as space itself. In Japan he is known as Kokuzo. Kukai (Kobo Daishi), the founder of Shingon Buddhism, is said to have chanted a mantra of Akasagarbha Bodhisattva that enhanced his wisdom and memory. Other related archivesJapan, Shingon Buddhism, bodhisattvas, mantra, memory, wisdom

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Apocatastasis is a Greek word that means: 1) Restoration, re-establishment, renovation 2) Return to a previous condition 3) (Astronomy) Return to the same apparent position, completion of a period of revolution. Apocatastasis has a special meaning in the Christian theology: it is the doctrine of the ultimate reconciliation of good and evil. Apocatastasis maintains that all moral creatures -- angels, humans, and devils -- will eventually come to a harmony in God's kingdom. It is based on the ...

Including:

• Apocatastasis - Apocatastasis in popular culture

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Mahāsthāmaprāpta (Ch 大勢至 Da Shì Zhì, Jp. 勢至 Seishi) is a Buddhist bodhisattva that represents the power of wisdom and is often depicted in a trinity with Amitabha and Avalokitesvara. In Chinese Buddhism, he is usually portayed as a woman, with a likeness similar to Kuan Yin. He is also one of the Japanese Thirteen Buddhas. Unlike many of the bodhisattvas of Buddhism, Mahasthamaprapta has not gained as much popularity as many of the bodhisattvas that are usually mentioned. It is said in the Shurangam ...

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Ksitigarbha, or Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (地藏菩薩), often known in its Japanese name Jizō (地蔵) or Chinese name Dizang (地藏 Dìzàng), is a popular Mahayana Buddhist Bodhisattva, usually depicted as a monk. The name Jizo or Dizang may be translated as "Earth Treasury", "Earth Store", "Earth Matrix", or "Earth Womb." Statues of Ksitigarbha can be found throughout Japan, especially in cemeteries, since he is believed to be the protector of people condemned to Hell. He is also a ...

Including:

• Ksitigarbha - History
• Ksitigarbha - As Sacred Girl
• Ksitigarbha - Iconography
• Ksitigarbha - Traditional iconography
• Ksitigarbha - Misconceptions
• Ksitigarbha - Popular iconography in Japan
• Ksitigarbha - Akasagarbha

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In Mahayana Buddhism, Avalokitesvara or Avalokiteshvara (Sanskrit: Avalokiteśvara) is a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. Avalokitesvara is likely the bodhisattva most widely revered among Buddhists; this is especially true considering the distinctively East Asian form known as Guan Yin or Kannon, which is covered in a separate article. In Vajrayana Buddhism Avalokitesvara is also known as Padmapāni, the Holder of the Lotus. In Theravada Southeast Asia, Avalokitesvara is known ...

Including:

• Avalokitesvara - Avalokitesvara and the thousand arms
• Avalokitesvara - Origin of the concept
• Avalokitesvara - Tibetan Buddhism
• Avalokitesvara - Mantras
• Avalokitesvara - Manifestations

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In Buddhism, Maitreya Bodhisattva is the future Buddha. Maitreya is a bodhisattva who some Buddhists believe will eventually appear on earth, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma. Maitreya Bodhisattva will be the successor of the historic Sakyamuni Buddha. He is predicted to be a “world-ruler,” uniting those who he rules over. The prophecy of the arrival of Maitreya is accepted by the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions. Maitreya - Characteristics. One of the earliest menti ...

Including:

• Maitreya - Characteristics
• Maitreya - General description
• Maitreya - Maitreya's Tusita Heaven
• Maitreya - The arrival of Maitreya
• Maitreya - Origins
• Maitreya - Maitreya claimants
• Maitreya - Non-Buddhist views

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Butsu Zone (仏ゾーン Butsu Zōn) is a manga by Hiroyuki Takei. The series highlights the adventures of Senju, an emissary of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, who has to find and protect an incarnation of the Buddha Miroku. The manga hints that the savior Senju and company are seeking to find and protect may be the Shaman King. The Butsu Zone character Anna Kyōyama also appeared in Itako no Anna and Shaman King. ...

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Mañjuśrī (Ch: 文殊 Wenshu or 文殊師利 Wenshushili; Jp: Monju; Tib: Jampelyang (Wylie "'jam dpal dbyangs")), also written Manjushri, is the bodhisattva of keen awareness in Buddhism. A disciple of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, he represents wisdom, intelligence and realisation, and is one of the most popular Bodhisattvas following Avalokitesvara (Ch: Guan Yin). Together with Shakyamuni and fellow disciple Samantabhadra he forms the Shakyamuni trinity (Jp: Sanzon Shaka). Manjusri is ...

Including:

• Manjusri - Manjusri Mantra
• Manjusri - Iconography
• Manjusri - Manchu

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Samantabhadra (also Viśvabhadra, 普賢 Chinese: Pǔxián; Japanese: Fugen) is the Lord of the Truth (理) in Buddhism, who represents the practice and meditation of all Buddhas. Together with Shakyamuni and fellow disciple Manjusri he forms the Shakyamuni trinity. He is the patron of the Lotus Sutra and, according to the Avatamsaka Sutra, made the ten great vows which are the basis of a bodhisattva. Samantabhadra is most commonly described as a bodhisattva himself, although some es ...

Including:

• Samantabhadra - Iconography

Read more here: » Samantabhadra: Encyclopedia - Samantabhadra

Buddhist mythology is a mythology within the Buddhism belief system. It is a relatively broad mythology, as it was adopted and influenced by several diverse cultures. As such, it includes many aspects taken from other mythologies of those cultures (for instance, Japanese kami are considered to be local bodhisattvas by many Japanese Buddhists). See also. Hindu mythology Bön Chinese mythology Japanese mythology ...

Read more here: » Buddhist mythology: Encyclopedia - Buddhist mythology

In Buddhist thought, bodhicitta (Ch. 菩提心, pudixin, Jp. bodaishin) is the motivation of a bodhisattva. Etymologically, this is the combination of the words Bodhi or enlightenment, and Citta - mind, and is sometime translated as mind of enlightenment. Bodhicitta is invariably taught to be selfless determination, as the purpose of enlightenment is not for ones-self, but for the benefit of all beings. According to the teachings of Shantideva and his followers, there are two aspirations of Bodhicitt ...

Read more here: » Bodhicitta: Encyclopedia - Bodhicitta