Buddhism, Mahayana

The Bodhisattva Ideal

The most important Mahayana innovation was perhaps the bodhisattva ideal. Literally “awakened being,” the bodhisattva is a Buddha-in-waiting, who vows to postpone entry into nirvana (freedom from desire or attachment) until all living beings are saved. This voluntary sacrifice for the sake of others presents a sharp contrast to the Theravada ideal of the arahant, or “worthy one.” The latter is also enlightened, but attends to his or her own pursuit of sainthood and seeks nirvana just for him- or herself. What the bodhisattva wants is universal salvation. Much as the bodhisattva merits nirvana, he or she chooses to remain in the realm of samsara (endless cycle of birth and rebirth) to help people awaken to the impermanence of human existence, transcend the temptation of desires and wants, and be relieved of sufferings.

Central to the bodhisattva ideal are wisdom and compassion. In addition, the bodhisattva vow involves a pledge of commitment to the perfections of morality, patience, vigor, and meditation. The bodhisattva is the name for a group of celestial beings who perform acts of incredible generosity, bring hope to lay as well as monastic Buddhists, and are worshipped alongside the Buddha.

Trikaya, or Threefold Nature

Another Mahayana innovation was the notion that the Buddha had trikaya, or three bodies: a Manifest Body (Nirmanakaya), a Body of Bliss (Sambhogakaya), and a Body of Dharma (Dharmakaya). According to this doctrine, the historical Siddhartha Gautama was only the Manifest Body of a universal, spiritual being known as the Buddha. Underneath his external manifestation, the Buddha is at once eternal with his Body of Bliss and absolute with his Body of Dharma.

Out of the three-body doctrine grew the notion of a deity: The Buddha is divine and has transcendent power. His Body of Dharma is that which provides the universal ground of being and, therefore, constitutes the Absolute. His Body of Bliss is capable of assuming various transformations, including Maitreya (Buddha of Future) and the five cosmic Buddhas: Vairocana, Aksobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, and Amoghasiddhi. Indeed, Mahayana Buddhism embraces a pantheon of Buddhas, whereas Theravada Buddhism [Page 114]professes faith in the teachings of Gautama Buddha solely.

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