An Analytical Study of Bodhisattvas in Theravada and Mahayana Philosophy

Abstract

The objectives of this thesis were: 1) to study Bodhisattvas in Theravada Buddhist philosophy; 2) to study Bodhisattvas in Mahayana philosophy; 3) to analytically study Bodhisattvas in Theravada and Mahayana philosophy. This study was carried out by means of documentary research by studying the primary information from the Tipitaka and secondary information from academic textbooks, documents, and related research. The obtained data were interpreted by descriptive analysis based on the inductive method.
The research results were as follows:
1. The Bodhisattvas in Theravada Buddhist philosophy are those who perfectly practice the Eight Dhammasamodhāna and Ten Pāramī with the ultimate goals of eradication of one's own suffering and helping the others out of suffering as being in the Arahantabhumi, divided into two types: Aniyata-bodhisattvas, not predicted by the Buddha to the Buddha in the future; Niyata-bodhisattvas, prophesied by the Buddha to be the Buddha in the future.
2. Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Philosophy are those who practice the Bodhisattvañāṇa, including the Four Mahāpaṇidhāna and Six Pāramī, without the aim to attain the Arahantship as that of the Bodhisattvas in Theravada Buddhist philosophy. They have great compassion for all beings to liberate themselves from all kinds of suffering and have the ultimate goal of attaining Buddha-Bhumi.
3. Based on analysis results, the Bodhisattvas in Theravada Buddhist philosophy are those who perfectly practice the Eight Dhammasamodhāna and Ten Pāramī with the ultimate goals of making oneself out of suffering and also helping others out of suffering, as being in the Arahantabhumi, divided into two types: Aniyata-bodhisattvas, not predicted by the Buddha to the Buddha in the future; Niyata-bodhisattvas, prophesied by the Buddha to be the Buddha in the future. Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Philosophy are those who practice the Bodhisattvañāṇa, including the Four Mahāpaṇidhāna and Six Pāramī, without the aim to attain the Arahantship as that of the Bodhisattvas in Theravada Buddhist philosophy. They have great compassion for all beings to liberate themselves from suffering.