Glossary · Buddhist Philosophy & Practice

Bodhisattva

A Bodhisattva (Sanskrit: बोधिसत्त्व; Tibetan: བྱང་ཆུབ་སེམས་དཔའ, Jangchub Sempa, 'Hero of Awakening') is an individual cultivating Bodhicitta—the altruistic motivation to attain enlightenment for the liberation of all beings.

Origins and Canonical Sources

This term is rooted in canonical sutras and traditional commentaries of Mahayana and Tibetan Buddhism, understood as a rigorous contemplative technology for mind training.

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Tara: the technology against fear and anxiety Tara Fear, anxiety and courage Avalokiteshvara: the technology against attachment Avalokiteshvara Attachment, love and compassion Manjushri: the technology against mental confusion Manjushri Mental confusion, clarity and decision Vajrasattva: the technology against guilt Vajrasattva Guilt, error and purification Vajrapani: the technology against powerlessness and anger Vajrapani Anger, fear and conscious strength