What does "Bodhisattva" mean?

 　
    In Taiwanese modern Buddhist groups, people are often referred to as "Bodhisattva" because they do difficult work in Buddhism, or older believers are often referred to as "Old Bodhisattva". What is the original meaning of "Bodhisattva"? We're going to discuss it today.
　
    The word "菩薩 (pú sà  Bodhisattva)" is the abbreviation of the Sanskrit "Bodhisattva", which in Chinese should be translated as "to enlighten sentient beings", which means "to make all sentient beings enlightened". Why say so? Because the "Bodhisattva" has vowed not only to be enlightened and become a Buddha himself, but also to make all sentient beings enlightened and become a Buddha. Therefore, in the perception of all living beings, "Bodhisattvas" are all compassionate.
　
    The bodhisattva in Buddhist scriptures usually refers to the "entered-stages-bodhisattva", that is, the bodhisattva who has entered the "ten stages of bodhisattva’s practice"; but broadly speaking, a Buddhist practitioner who has vow to liberate himself and liberate all sentient beings can be called a Bodhisattva.
　
    In Chinese Buddhism, the most famous and widely known Bodhisattva is "Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva"; according to folklore, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva will "relieve suffering by hearing the voice", thus he will go to relieve the suffering beings when he hears the suffering beings chant his name. There is a reason for this folklore, because Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva once vowed that he will not become a Buddha until all sentient beings are liberated and become Buddhas. So he continuously librerate sentient beings in the world in order to achieve the big wish he had vowed. 
　
    There is another Bodhisattva, "Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva", who also made a similar vow: If hell is not empty (and there are sentient beings suffering in it), he will not become a Buddha. That is to say, he can not become a Buddha, Until he liberates all the sentient beings suffering in hell.
　
    However, why did they make such a big vow to put their own benefit of liberation below the benefit of all sentient beings? Because when the Bodhisattva was practicing, he saw sentient beings floating and sinking in the sea of ​​suffering, but there was nothing they could do. The Bodhisattva could not bear that all beings keep on suffering the pains in samsara, so he generated a great compassion and he wanted that he would not get happiness until all sentient beings get happiness.
　
    This compassionate mind of “not only benefiting oneself, but also benefiting others'' is one of the characteristics of Mahayana Buddhism, which is the so-called "Bodhisattva Path". What is the specific content of the Bodhisattva Path? It is the so-called six paramitas: generosity (giving), precepts, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom.
　
    "Giving" means giving benefits to all beings. "Wealth Giving" means giving wealth to those in need to solve their problems in life; "Dharma Giving" means spreading the Dharma to those who need it, so that they can gradually get rid of suffering and gain happiness; "Fearless Giving" means “to comfort and protect sentient beings who are terrified by disasters, and make their minds feel safe”. Giving without asking for anything in return is the highest state of giving.
　
    "Keeping the precepts" is: vigilantly demanding that one's actions and thoughts not violate the precepts. The simplest precepts are the "Five Precepts": don't kill all life, don't steal things without the owner's permission, don't have sex with people other than your partner, don't tell lies, don't drink or use drugs. In fact, the purpose of "keeping the precepts" is to protect oneself, so that one's mind will not be too scattered and out of control.
　
    "Patience (Endurance)" is; when insulted, ask yourself to endure without getting angry. Bodhisattvas must cultivate their own compassion and treat those who insult them equally like others; if a person can forgive his enemies and not be angry with them, he is truly practicing the Bodhisattva Path.
　
    "Diligence" is: continuous practice without slack, no matter what obstacles you encounter, they cannot stop you from practicing. Do your best to overcome factors such as time, fatigue, and other people's interference, and continue to practice in order to obtain achievement.
　
    "Meditation" is: to bring one's mind into a calm, stable state so that one can think clearly about the Dharma. Meditation usually occurs during sitting meditation; meditation needs to be practiced frequently, so that the mind will not be scattered and it will be conducive to practice.
　
    "Wisdom" is: to understand "the truth of life and the universe that the Buddha enlightened", which is also the ultimate goal of the Bodhisattva Path. After a long period of accumulation, the Bodhisattva who is practicing will eventually attain enlightenment and become a Buddha, obtain wisdom, accomplish the entire journey of life cycle, and enter into No-remain Nirvana.
　
    "Those who want to achieve should also do the same things as a successful one", all sentient beings have the potential to become Buddhas, and make a vow for yourself: “In the future, I will also practice the Bodhisattva Path, and then become a Buddha”; I believe that this little seed will gradually grow strong in your mind, become a big tree, and bear sweet fruit!
　

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