2C Flashcards
1: Joyous
In this stage, the bodhisattva concentrates on developing a high level of selfless generosity by giving away possessions or even family for the benefit of others
2: Stainless
The bodhisattva aims to perfect their moral virtues so that their behaviour is totally pure
3: Luminous
The bodhisattva now tries to develop perseverance as they try to fully understand the Dharma
4: Radiant
The bodhisattva develops more energy as their desire to help others and their compassion increases. This is often the stage where the follower of the path becomes a monk or nun.
5: Difficult to conquer
This stage is named ‘difficult to conquer’ as it is beyond the demon Mara to conquer the bodhisattva through temptations. The bodhisattva focuses on perfecting their meditation technique and the highest jhanas.
6: Approaching
Here the bodhisattva fully understands the concepts of paticca samuppada and anicca. As they attain perfect widsom, the previous five perfections become fully complete. The bodhisattva could enter final nirvana but they delay this out of compassion.
7: Gone afar
The bodhisattva becomes a transcendent being who is able to help beings in many worlds
8: Immovable
The bodhisattva has now reach the point at which Buddhahood is inevitable. Their knowledge expands so they are able to understand things which are impossible for the unenlightened to grasp.
9: Good intelligence
The bodhisattva perfects the powers they have developed and gains insight into the character of others so that they can fully understand how to teach them in an appropriate way.
10: Cloud of Dharma
The bodhisattva attains a heavenly body and dwells with Maitreya in the heavens. They have perfect knowledge and are ready for Buddhahood.
Arhat
A Buddhist who has attained enlightenment through the teachings of the Buddha
Avalokiteshvara
‘He who hears the cries of the world’. Dedicated to freeing the world of all suffering, he is one of the most popular celestial bodhisattvas
Bhumis
The bodhisattva path is divided into eight stages, on each of which specific qualities are perfected
Bodhichitta
The mind of enlightenment; the development of the bodhichitta distinguishes a bodhisattva from other types of Buddhist practitioner
Bodhisattva
A person who aims to reach enlightenment or Buddhahood in order to save all beings out of compassion (karuna)
Buddhist history
After the Buddha died, his teachings were preserved through oral tradition, as very few people could read or write
Characteristics of the arhat
An arhat has fully developed the seven factors of awakening: mindfulness, investigation of dharma, vigour, joy, tranquility, mental unification and equanimity (mental calmness, composure and evenness of temper)
Mahayana Buddhism
‘The greater vehicle’. Common in China, Japan and Tibet. They believe in bodhisattvas rather than arhats and are less concerned with the exact teachings of the historical Buddha and more with the whole notion of enlightenment.
Manjushri
The bodhisattva of infinite wisdom. He carries a flaming sword in his right hand and a lotus flower with a book of the Buddha’s teachings in his left.
Paramitas
The qualities which are perfected on the bodhisattva path are called paramitas
The bodhisattva path
The path begins with the arising of the bodhichitta - the aspiration to seek enlightenment for its own sake ad for the good of others. Then a person must develop four measureless states through meditation: loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity.
The bodhisattva vow
‘For as long as space exists and sentient beings endure, may I too remain to dispel the misery of the world’
The Four Stages of Awakening
At each stage, the Buddhist gains for sustained glimpses into enlightenment.
1 - a ‘stream winner’ will gain arhat status in less than seven lifetimes
2 - a ‘once returner’ will gain arhat status in one more lifetime
3 - a ‘never returner’ will not be reborn as a human but will reach enlightenment in a higher dimension
4 - an ‘arhat’ reaches enlightenment in their present life, as Buddha’s followers did
The Ten Stages of the Bodhisattva Path
Stages - Perfections 1; Joyous - Generosity 2: Stainless - Moral Virtue 3: Luminous - Endurance 4: Radiant - Vigour 5: Difficult to conquer - Meditation 6: Approaching - Wisdom 7: Gone afar - Skillful means 8: Immovable - Determination 9: Good intelligence - Power 10: Cloud of dharma - Gnosis (knowledge)
Theravada Buddhism
‘The Way of the Elders’. Found mainly in Thailand, Sri Lanka and Bruma. They believe in arhats rather than bodhisattvas
The three main realms of existence in Theravada tradition
The samsaric realm of desire, the realm of forms and the formless realm
