What is a Bodhisattva or an Enlightened Being

An Introduction to Bodhisattvas, Vows and Being a Bodhisattva

Nov 7, 2009

A bodhisattva in Buddhism is regarded as an exalted being. To be a bodhisattva is the aim of Mahayana Buddhists. Learn more about being a bodhisattva, its path and vows

A bodhisattva is a person who, according to Mahayana Buddhism, is committed to selflessly helping others attain enlightenment. While Buddhism is a non-theistic religion, it does have a rich tradition of “god-like beings” or bodhisattvas.

Bodhisattvas are characterized by their selflessness, commitment to serve others, strict values and morals, as well as a profound love and compassion for all living beings.

Definition of a Bodhisattva

The word "Bodhisattva" is made up of two Sanskrit words – "Bodhi" meaning "awake" and "sattva" meaning "being." Therefore, a bodhisattva is an "awakened or enlightened being."

According to Annice Booth in The Path to Your Ascension, “… a bodhisattva is a being of bodhi, or wisdom, who is becoming a Buddha. Another definition, especially in the East, is that a bodhisattva is one who vows to help all sentient beings to attain enlightenment.”

In other words, a Bodhisattva is one who is supremely selfless and is absolutely committed to helping others attain enlightenment.

The Bodhisattva Vows

On becoming a bodhisattva, one takes the bodhisattva vows. Reb Anderson has quoted the Four Great Bodhisattva Vows as follows:

Therefore, to be a bodhisattva, one needs to commit to saving all living creatures by freeing one’s own self from delusions, by accepting and recognizing everything that occurs as a chance of learning the truth and by achieving complete enlightenment or the Buddha’s way.

Bodhisattvas in Buddhism

While Buddhism does not have Gods and Goddesses per se, bodhisattvas can be found in both Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism. However, in Buddhism, all beliefs are provisional and while these bodhisattvas with supernatural powers may be worshiped in a manner that's akin to the worship of gods, there are people who may be Buddhist without believing in them or their powers.

Joseph Campbell, in The Hero with a Thousand Faces, writes that one of the most powerful and revered Bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism is the Lotus Bearer, Avalokitesvara or “The Lord Looking Down in Pity.” It is to this bodhisattva that the most popular Tibetan Buddhist prayer of “Om mani padme hum” or “The jewel is in the lotus” is offered. Kwan Yin is a revered female Bodhisattva whose name translates into “One Who Hears the Cries of the World.”

There are also Ordinary Bodhisattvas or Bodhisattvas of the Earth who live in everyday society and, though do not have the exalted or supernatural powers, are compassionate, selfless souls devoted to making life better and happier for everyone. Nichiren Buddhism believes that everyone has the inherent Buddha nature and is a bodhisattva of the Earth with the ability to be kind, true, loving and sympathetic.

Path of Being a Bodhisattva

Becoming a bodhisattva means having the will and desire to help others and enlighten them, while living the life shown by the Buddha himself. It is important to recognize and understand that everything in life is the truth and is a step towards enlightenment. While Buddhist monks may meditate and renounce the world in order to seek enlightenment, Diana Winston, in Wide Awake, describes the path to becoming an ordinary bodhisattva as one in which one should “go where our heart is drawn.” However, that place must be one which will bring joy to others and allow one to be compassionate, kind and helpful.

Therefore, a bodhisattva could both be a supernatural being worshiped by Buddhists in order to experience enlightenment or an ordinary being who is simply leading a committed, selfless life devoted to helping others. In either case, a bodhisattva is one who is enlightened and who now exists to help other achieve that same enlightenment.

Booth, Annice. The Path to Your Ascension: Rediscovering Life’s Ultimate Purpose. Corwin Springs, MT: Summit University Press, 1999.

Anderson, Reb. Being Upright: Zen Meditation and the Bodhisattva Precepts. Berkeley, CA: Rodmell Press, 2001.

Campbell, Jospeh. The Hero with a Thousand Faces, third edition. Novato, CA: New World Library, 2008.

Winston, Diana. Wide Awake: A Buddhist Guide for Teens. New York, NY: Perigree Books, 2003.

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