What is the concept of bodhisattva in Mahayana and Theravada?

What is the concept of bodhisattva in Mahayana and Theravada?

In Buddhism, a bodhisattva (/ˌboʊdiːˈsʌtvə/ BOH-dee-SUT-və) is any person who is on the path towards Buddhahood. In Mahayana 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.

What is a bodhisattva in Theravada Buddhism?

bodhisattva, (Sanskrit), Pali bodhisatta (“one whose goal is awakening”), in Buddhism, one who seeks awakening (bodhi)—hence, an individual on the path to becoming a buddha.

What is the ideal Buddhist of Theravada Buddhism?

The ideal of Theravada Buddhism is the arhat (Pali: arahant), or perfected saint, who attains enlightenment as a result of his own efforts. The role of the layman and monk are clearly differentiated by the Theravadins, who do not consider it possible to attain enlightenment while one is living the life of a layman.

What is the role of the bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism?

However, the most distinctive feature of Mahāyāna is the role played by bodhisattvas (“wisdom beings”). A bodhisattva is a devout Buddhist who vows to aid others, postponing his/her own awakening until all beings attain enlightenment. Bodhisattvas share their merit with all beings.

What are the similarities and differences of Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism?

Similarities Between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism According to the BBC: Theravada and Mahayana are both rooted in the basic teachings of the historical Buddha, and both emphasise the individual search for liberation from the cycle of samsara (birth, death, rebirth…).

What is the difference of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism?

Mahayana Buddhists believe they can achieve enlightenment through following the teachings of the Buddha . Whereas Theravada Buddhists strive to become Arhats and gain freedom from the cycle of samsara, Mahayana Buddhists may choose to stay in the cycle of samsara out of compassion for others.

Is Dalai Lama a bodhisattva?

The Dalai Lama is considered a living Buddha of compassion, a reincarnation of the bodhisattva Chenrezig, who renounced Nirvana in order to help mankind. The title originally only signified the preeminent Buddhist monk in Tibet, a remote land about twice the size of Texas that sits veiled behind the Himalayas.

What is the similarities of Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism?

What was the biggest difference between Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism?

The main difference between these ‘2’ Buddhist groups were their views on the Laity’s possibility of enlightenment. Theravada claimed that only monks could achieve Nirvana; and Mahayana claimed that both monks and Laity could achieve nirvana. Theravāda and the Mahāyāna are the two major schools of Buddhism.