Bodhisattva

Bodhisattva (. Sanskrit, m, बोधिसत्त्व, bodhisattva; Bodhi [" enlightenment " or "awakening" ] and sattva [" nature " ] ) means " enlightenment being" ( Pali: Bodhisatta ).

In Mahayana Buddhism, Bodhisattvas are considered to be striving for the highest knowledge of beings on the path of "virtue perfection " (Sanskrit: paramita ) the " Buddhahood " aim or realize itself in order to use them for the salvation of all living beings. This initial motivation is called " mind of enlightenment " ( bodhicitta ). Practitioners of various traditions of Mahayana bodhisattva vows and recite thereby proclaim its willingness to go that way yourself.

Core of the bodhisattva philosophy is the idea not only to get himself and for himself alone enlightenment and thus enter into Nirvana, but instead to help above all other beings, also out of the endless cycle of reincarnation ( samsara ) to free.

Bodhisattvas are in their classic representation typical sambhogakaya ( " joy body " ) forms.

The Eight Great Bodhisattvas of Mahayana

In Mahayana Buddhism, in particular, the " Eight Great Bodhisattvas " of importance:

• Manjushri the " Bodhisattva of Wisdom"
• Vajrapani ( from Sanskrit: Vajra - holder )
• Padmapani ( from Sanskrit: Lotus Holder)
• Maitreya (From the Sanskrit maitri - " universal love " )
• Ksitigarbha ( Japanese: Jizō )
• Nirvanaviskambin
• Akashagarbha
• Samantabhadra ( Sanskrit: " The All- Good " )

A distinction is made between earthly and celestial Bodhisattvas. The former are standing in the world life people of kindness ( maitri ) and compassion ( karuna ) supported that use their services for the benefit of all compassionate beings (humans and animals). The latter are supernatural ( transcendent ) beings who assist the beings in the same way and assist them on the path of liberation.

The best-known transcendent bodhisattvas are:

• Avalokiteshvara (also Lokeshvara, Guanyin, Kannon, spyan Ras gzigs / " Chenresi " )
• Manjushri ( Wen Shu also, Monju, Jampelyang )
• Maitreya (also Metteyya Mí le pho, Byam -pa, Miroku ).

More Bodhisattvas are among other:

• Prajnaparamita, also haramitsu, Hannya Bosatsu Dai Hannya, Shes -rab - pha - rol - phyin, Bilig -un Chinadu Kichaghar -a -sen Kürük
• Tare

Bodhisattvas in Theravada

The doctrine of the Bodhisattva is also the Theravada Buddhism, the oldest and only surviving school of Hinayana known. However, the Theravada teaches next to the attainment of Bodhi with the help of a bodhisattva primarily the attainment of " enlightenment ", the " awakening ", by his own efforts. This ideal of the arhat, the " saints" of overcoming the cycle of reincarnation ( samsara see also ) seeks in its own effort, is not understood by the Mahayana a full exemption. The only known Bodhisattva in Theravada is the next Buddha Maitreya.

Bodhisattvas in Japanese Buddhism

Soon after his arrival, saw Buddhism in Japan exposed the need for the indigenous deities ( kami ) to involve in his teaching traditions. So an iridescent kami - Buddhist syncretism ( Shinbutsu - shugo ) of the Kami, inter alia, as manifest traces of Buddha and Bodhisattva pointed or both identified with each other evolved over the period of many centuries. In this way, the ideas of Japanese gods as well as the entire Shinto have a lasting impact.

Reception in Anthroposophy

In the Western world, the concept was brought by Rudolf Steiner in accordance with Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. He called Bodhisattva with great spiritual leaders and teachers of mankind. In total there are 12 facing the Christ, the divine- spiritual beings, of which only one appears to the world in human form. The term was only in anthroposophical circles known, but where the so-called Bodhisattva question is discussed again and again: who is the current bodhisattva is namely.