Define the terms love, compassion and wisdom as used in Mahayana Buddhism.
In Mahayana Buddhism, love, compassion, and wisdom are considered the three essential qualities of a Bodhisattva, or an enlightened being.
- Love (Sanskrit: Maitri): Unconditional love and friendliness towards all beings. It is the ability to wish happiness and well-being to others without any expectation of personal gain or reward. This kind of love arises from the recognition of the fundamental interdependence and unity of all beings.
- Compassion (Sanskrit: Karuna): The ability to empathize with the suffering of others and to feel a deep desire to alleviate their suffering. It is the wish to help others overcome their pain and difficulties, without any judgment or attachment. Compassion arises from the understanding that all beings are subject to suffering, and that this suffering is caused by ignorance and delusion.
- Wisdom (Sanskrit: Prajna): The understanding of the ultimate nature of reality, which is free from all concepts, dualities, and limitations. It is the direct realization of the interconnectedness and emptiness of all phenomena. Wisdom allows one to see beyond the illusion of a separate self, and to recognize the true nature of existence. It is the supreme goal of all Buddhist practices, and the ultimate source of liberation and enlightenment.
What is bodhichitta?
Bodhichitta is a Sanskrit term that can be translated as "awakened mind" or "enlightened heart". In Mahayana Buddhism, bodhichitta is the aspiration to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, out of a deep sense of love and compassion.
Bodhichitta is considered the motivation that propels one on the path of the Bodhisattva, who is committed to the welfare and liberation of all sentient beings. It is the recognition that one's own liberation is interconnected with the liberation of others, and that ultimately there is no distinction between self and other.
Bodhichitta is often divided into two types: relative and ultimate. Relative bodhichitta is the intention to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, and to engage in activities that lead to their well-being and liberation. Ultimate bodhichitta is the direct realization of the true nature of reality, which allows one to overcome all obstacles on the path to enlightenment.
In Mahayana Buddhism, the development of bodhichitta is considered the most important aspect of spiritual practice, as it embodies the altruistic and compassionate ideals of the path.