You are currently logged-out. You can log-in or create an account to see more talks, save favorites, and more.
Bodhisattva Talks

In Buddhism, a bodhisattva (English: BOH-dee-SUT-və; Sanskrit: बोधिसत्त्व, romanized: bodhisattva; Pali: बोधिसत्त, romanized: bodhisatta) or bodhisatva is a person who is on the path towards bodhi ('awakening') or Buddhahood.
In the Early Buddhist schools, as well as modern Theravāda Buddhism, bodhisattva (or bodhisatta) refers to someone who has made a resolution to become a Buddha and has also received a confirmation or prediction from a living Buddha that this will come to pass.
In Mahāyāna Buddhism, a bodhisattva refers to anyone who has generated bodhicitta, a spontaneous wish and compassionate mind to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings. Mahayana bodhisattvas are spiritually heroic persons that work to attain awakening and are driven by a great compassion (mahākaruṇā). These beings are exemplified by important spiritual qualities such as the "four divine abodes" (brahmavihāras) of loving-kindness (maitrī), compassion (karuṇā), empathetic joy (muditā) and equanimity (upekṣā), as well as the various bodhisattva "perfections" (pāramitās) which include prajñāpāramitā ("transcendent knowledge" or "perfection of wisdom") and skillful means (upāya).
In Theravāda Buddhism, the bodhisattva is mainly seen as an exceptional and rare individual. Only a few select individuals are ultimately able to become bodhisattvas, such as Maitreya. Mahāyāna Buddhism generally understands the bodhisattva path as being open to everyone, and Mahāyāna Buddhists encourage all individuals to become bodhisattvas. Spiritually advanced bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshvara, Maitreya, and Manjushri are also widely venerated across the Mahāyāna Buddhist world and are believed to possess great magical power, which they employ to help all living beings.
Title | Speaker | |
---|---|---|
Embrace the Flow of Life Avatamsaka Sutra, Suffering, Bodhisattva |
Sep 07 2005 Unknown |
|
Transforming Suffering into Compassion Bodhisattva, Vow, Suffering |
Jan 19 2002 City Center |
|
Everyday Enlightenment Through Zen Practice Bodhisattva, Time, Buddha |
Aug 14 1994 Unknown |
|
Sunday Lecture Bodhisattva, Time, Practice |
Jan 15 1989 Green Gulch |
|
Lion's Roar Wisdom, Bodhisattva, Time |
Dec 27 1988 SFZC |
|
NgondroSerial: SF-01878 Ngondro Class - Guru Yoga Practice, Time, Bodhisattva |
Dec 20 1988 SFZC |
|
YontenzotSerial: SF-01831 "Chhoje Tulku" Bodhisattva, Compassion, Time |
Apr 24 1988 SFZC |
|
YontenzotSerial: SF-01832 "Chhoje Tulku" Bodhisattva, Time, Practice |
Apr 24 1988 SFZC |
|
Yontenzot Bodhisattva, Time, Work |
Apr 23 1988 SFZC |
|
Yontenzot Bodhisattva, Time, Work |
Apr 23 1988 SFZC |
|
Sunday Lecture Bodhisattva, Time, Compassion |
Jul 25 1987 Green Gulch |
|
The Nature of the Precepts Precepts, Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva Precepts |
Aug 03 1983 SFZC |
|
Universal Practice for Laymen and MonksSerial: SR-00175 Whatever you do is practice; be careful not to practice for the sake of the self. Zazen as a way to find realization and get used to realization. Whether priest or layperson,... Practice, Zazen, Bodhisattva, Dogen, Sixth Patriarch, Buddha Mind, Faith, Truth,... |
Jul 25 1971 Tassajara |
|
The Ten Powers Of A BodhisattvaSerial: SF-05106 Sunday Morning, August 25, 1968 Bodhisattva, Dogen, Rinzai, Soto Zen, Emptiness, Five Ranks, Attachment, Posture,... |
Aug 25 1968 Sokoji |
|
Lion's RoarSerial: SF-01904 Side A - end Lion's Roar; Side B - Q&A Time, Practice, Bodhisattva |
|