Question

considerthe following statements :
1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.
3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer 1

(b) The concept of Bodhisattva is central to the Mahayana doctrines of Buddhism. The term ‘bodhisattva’ literally means ‘one who has enlightenment as his/her essence’. Abodhisattva is a being who is destined for enlightenment rather than one who has gained it already. A bodhisattva is also normally thought of as consciously working towards enlightenment: you can’t call someone a bodhisattva just because they might be enlightened in the future if they haven’t started making an effort yet. For this reason, the earliest use of the term ‘bodhisattva’ refers to Siddhartha Gautama before he gained enlightenment, and also in his previous lives.