Bodhisattva

=== Entering the bodhisattva path ===
[[Image:Ajanta Padmapani.jpg|thumb|Mural of bodhisattva [[Padmapani]] in [[Ajanta Caves]]. India, 5th century]]
[[Image:The Buddhist Goddess Shyama Tara (Green Tara) Attended by Sita Tara (White Tara) and Bhrikuti LACMA M.84.32.1a-d.jpg|thumb|right|[[Tara (Buddhism)|Green Tara]] attended by [[Tara (Buddhism)|White Tara]] and Bhrikuti, India, Madhya Pradesh, Sirpur, c. 8th century]]
According to David Drewes, "Mahayana sutras unanimously depict the path beginning with the first arising of the thought of becoming a Buddha (''prathamacittotpāda''), or the initial arising of ''[[bodhicitta]]'', typically aeons before one first receives a Buddha's prediction, and apply the term bodhisattva from this point."<ref name=":0" /> The ''[[Ten Stages Sutra]]'', for example, explains that the arising of bodhicitta is the first step in the bodhisattva's career.<ref name="auto2">Dayal 1970, p. 50.</ref> Thus, the arising of bodhicitta, the compassionate mind aimed at awakening for the sake of all beings, is a central defining element of the bodhisattva path.<ref>Dayal 1970, pp. 60-61.</ref><ref>Williams, Paul (2008). ''Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations'', p. 195. Routledge.</ref>

Another key element of the bodhisattva path is the concept of a bodhisattva's ''[[Bodhisattva vow|praṇidhāna]]'' - which can mean a resolution, resolve, vow, prayer, wish, aspiration and determination.<ref>Dayal 1970, p. 64.</ref> This more general idea of an earnest wish or solemn resolve which is closely connected with bodhicitta (and is the cause and result of bodhicitta) eventually developed into the idea that bodhisattvas take certain formulaic "[[bodhisattva vow]]s."<ref name=":4">Dayal 1970, p. 65.</ref> One of the earliest of these formulas is found in the ''{{IAST|[[Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra]]}}'' and states:<blockquote>We having crossed (the stream of samsara), may we help living beings to cross! We being liberated, may we liberate others! We being comforted, may we comfort others! We being finally released, may we release others!<ref name=":4" /> </blockquote>Other sutras contain longer and more complex formulas, such as the ten vows found in the ''[[Ten Stages Sutra]].''<ref>Dayal 1970, pp. 65-66.</ref>

Mahayana sources also discuss the importance of a Buddha's prediction (''vyākaraṇa'') of a bodhisattva's future Buddhahood. This is seen as an important step along the bodhisattva path.<ref>Dayal 1970, p. 67.</ref>

Later Mahayana Buddhists also developed specific rituals and devotional acts for which helped to develop various preliminary qualities, such as faith, worship, prayer, and confession, that lead to the arising of ''bodhicitta.''<ref name="auto2"/> These elements, which constitute a kind of preliminary preparation for bodhicitta, are found in the "seven part worship" (''saptāṇgapūjā'' or ''saptavidhā anuttarapūjā'').<ref>Dayal 1970, p. 54.</ref> This ritual form is visible in the works of [[Shantideva]] (8th century) and includes:<ref>Dayal 1970, pp. 54-57.</ref>
* ''Vandana'' (obeisance, bowing down)
* ''[[Puja (Buddhism)|Puja]]'' (worship of the Buddhas)
* ''Sarana-gamana'' (going for [[Refuge (Buddhism)|refuge]])
* ''Papadesana'' (confession of bad deeds)
* ''Punyanumodana'' (rejoicing in merit of the good deeds of oneself and others) 
* ''Adhyesana'' (prayer, entreaty) and ''yacana'' (supplication) – request to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to continue preaching Dharma
* ''Atmabhavadi-parityagah'' (surrender) and ''[[Transfer of merit|pariṇāmanā]]'' (the transfer of one's Merit to the welfare of others)

After these preliminaries have been accomplished, then the aspirant is seen as being ready to give rise to bodhicitta, often through the recitation of a [[bodhisattva vow]].<ref>Dayal 1970, p. 59.</ref> Contemporary Mahāyāna Buddhism encourages everyone to give rise to bodhicitta and ceremonially take bodhisattva vows. With these vows and precepts, one makes the promise to work for the complete enlightenment of all [[Sentient beings (Buddhism)|sentient beings]] by practicing the transcendent virtues or [[Pāramitā|paramitas]].<ref>''The Bodhisattva Vow: A Practical Guide to Helping Others'', pp. 4–12, [[Tharpa Publications]] (2nd. ed., 1995) {{ISBN|978-0-948006-50-0}}</ref>

In Mahāyāna, bodhisattvas are often not Buddhist monks and are former lay practitioners.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Storm |first=Rachel |title=Myths & Legends of India, Egypt, China & Japan |publisher=Lorenz Books |year=2011 |editor-last=Sudell |editor-first=Helen |edition=2nd |location=Wigston, Leicestershire |pages=114}}</ref>