bodhicittot-pada
Quick Summary
In Buddhism, bodhicittot-pada refers to the aspiration to achieve awakening, or bodhi. This concept is central to Mahayana Buddhism, where it signifies the commitment to becoming a Buddha. Unlike earlier Buddhist thought, which primarily applied the term bodhisattva to Siddhartha Gautama's past lives, Mahayana teaches that anyone can aspire to awakening and thus become a bodhisattva.123
The ultimate goal is enlightenment, which ends the cycle of rebirth and leads to Nirvana. This is achieved by following the Eightfold Path and overcoming false beliefs and passions. Mahayana Buddhism particularly values the compassion of the bodhisattva, who postpones their own enlightenment to help all sentient beings achieve salvation.3
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