The Resolve to Become a Buddha

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*'''Chapter Eight: Traditional Classifications of ''Bodhicitta'' '''
*'''Chapter Eight: Traditional Classifications of ''Bodhicitta'' '''
*{{i|1. Introductory Remarks|235}}
*{{i|1. Introductory Remarks|235}}
*{{i|2. ''Bodhicitta'' as a Fusion of ''Śūnyatā''/''Prajñā'' and ''Karūṇā''/ ''Upāya''|235}}
*{{i|2. ''Bodhicitta'' as a Fusion of ''Śūnyatā''/''Prajñā'' and ''Karūṇā''/ ''Upāya''|235}}
Line 176: Line 177:
**{{i|(e) Union of Emptiness and Compassion: A Tibetan Controversy|245}}
**{{i|(e) Union of Emptiness and Compassion: A Tibetan Controversy|245}}
**{{i|(f) Three Positions on the Fusion of ''Śūnyatā''/''Prajñā'' and  ''Karūṇā''/ ''Upāya''|245}}
**{{i|(f) Three Positions on the Fusion of ''Śūnyatā''/''Prajñā'' and  ''Karūṇā''/ ''Upāya''|245}}
3. SubclassifYing Bodhicitta into Praflidhicitta and Prasthiinacitta........................... 246
*{{i|3. Subclassifying ''Bodhicitta'' into ''Praṇidhicitta'' and ''Prasthānacitta''|246}}
(a) The Locus Classicus of the Classification..................................................... 246
**{{i|(a) The Locus Classicus of the Classification|246}}
(b) The Possible Historical Development of the Subclassification.... ... ..... ........ 248
**{{i|(b) The Possible Historical Development of the Subclassification|248}}
(c) The Pervasiveness of the Classification........................................................ 248
**{{i|(c) The Pervasiveness of the Classification|248}}
(d) Distinctions, Interpretations, and Controversies........................................... 249
**{{i|(d) Distinctions, Interpretations, and Controversies|249}}
4. SubclassifYing Bodhicitta into Conventional and Absolute................................... 251
*{{i|4. Subclassifying ''Bodhicitta'' into Conventional and Absolute|251}}
(a) Two Strands of the Conventional-Absolute Classification........................... 252
**{{i|(a) Two Strands of the Conventional-Absolute Classification|252}}
(b) Textual Sources of the Conventional-Absolute Classification..................... 253
**{{i|(b) Textual Sources of the Conventional-Absolute Classification|253}}
(c) The Relative Chronology of the Conventional-Absolute Classification....... 255
**{{i|(c) The Relative Chronology of the Conventional-Absolute Classification|255}}
(d) Two Different Perceptions of Conventional and Absolute Bodhicitta......... 256
**{{i|(d) Two Different Perceptions of Conventional and Absolute ''Bodhicitta''|256}}
(e) Can Absolute Bodhicitta be Generated Ritually? A Tibetan Controversy.... 258
**{{i|(e) Can Absolute ''Bodhicitta'' be Generated Ritually? A Tibetan Controversy|258}}
5. Leading to the Goal and Not Leading to the Goa1................................................. 261
*{{i|5. Leading to the Goal and Not Leading to the Goal|261}}
6. A Stable One and an Unstable One........................................................................ 262
*{{i|6. A Stable One and an Unstable One|262}}
7. Twofold Classifications of Cittotpiida in the ViniscayasarrzgrahalJf..................... 263
*{{i|7. Twofold Classifications of ''Cittotpāda'' in the ''Viniścayasaṃgrahaṇī''|263}}
(a) Samiidiinasiirrzketika and Dharmatiipratilambhika....................................... 263
**{{i|(a) ''Samādānasāṃketika'' and ''Dharmatāpratilambhika''|263}}
(b) The One That Is Uncertain and the One That Is Certain. .... .... .... ... ........... .... 264
**{{i|(b) The One That Is Uncertain and the One That Is Certain|264}}
(c) The One That Is Impure and the One That Is Pure...... .... .............. ........ ... .... 264
**{{i|(c) The One That Is Impure and the One That Is Pure|264}}
(d) The One That Is Weak and the One That Is Strong...................................... 265
**{{i|(d) The One That Is Weak and the One That Is Strong|265}}
(e) The One That Has Yielded the Ultimate Result and the One
**{{i|(e) The One That Has Yielded the Ultimate Result and the One That Has<br>Not yet|265}}
That Has Not yet........................................................................................... 265
*{{i|8. Undistinguished and Distinguished ''Cittotpāda''|266}}
8. Undistinguished and Distinguished Cittotpiida...................................................... 266
*{{i|9. The One Characterised by ''Karuṇā'' and the One Characterised by ''Prajñā''|266}}
9. The One Characterised by Karuflii and the One Characterised by Prajfzii............ 266
*{{i|10. Ongoing and Non-Ongoing ''Cittotpāda''|267}}
*{{i|11. A Threefold Classification: King-like, Boatman-like, and Herdsman-like|267}}
**{{i|(a) Some Indian Precursors of the Classification|268}}
**{{i|(b) Assessments by Some Tibetan Scholars|269}}
*{{i|12. A Fourfold Classification|271}}
*{{i|13. Subclassifying ''Bodhicitta'' into Ten Types|273}}
*{{i|14. Twenty-Two Kinds of ''Cittotpāda''|273}}
**{{i|(a) Sources of the Twenty-Two Kinds of ''Cittotpāda''|273}}
**{{i|(b) A Historical Sketch|274}}
*{{i|15. Concluding Remarks|275}}
 
*'''Chapter Nine: Causes and Conditions pertaining to ''Bodhicitta'' '''
 
*{{i|1. Introductory Remarks|277}}
*{{i|2. Causes and Conditions pertaining to ''Bodhicitta'' in the ''Sūtra'' Sources|277}}
*{{i|3. Causes and Conditions pertaining to ''Bodhicitta'' in the ''Bodhisattvabhūmi''|279}}
*{{i|4. Causes and Conditions pertaining to ''Bodhicitta'' in the ''Mahāyānasūtrālaṃkāra''|283}}
*{{i|5. Causes and Conditions pertaining to ''Bodhicitta'' as Discussed Elsewhere|284}}
*{{i|6. Compassion as the Root Cause of ''Bodhicitta''|285}}
*{{i|7. Concluding Remarks|289}}
 
*'''Chapter Ten: The Mahāyāna Observances and the Maintenance of ''Bodhicitta'' '''
 
*{{i|1. Introductory Remarks|291}}
*{{i|2. The Model of the Four Cardinal Transgressions (''mūlāpatti'')|292}}
*{{i|3. Pledges and the Maintenance of ''Bodhicitta'' in the ''Kriyātantras''|295}}
**{{i|(a) The ''Vairocanābhisaṃbodhitantra''|296}}
**{{i|(b) The ''Guhyatantra''|298}}
**{{i|(c) The ''Susiddhikaratantra''|300}}
**{{i|(d) The ''Subāhuparipṛcchātantra''|303}}
*{{i|4. Pledges and Maintenance of ''Bodhicitta'' in the ''Yogatantras''|305}}
**{{i|(a) The ''Durgatipariśodhanatantra''|305}}
**{{i|(b) The ''Vajraśikharatantra''|307}}
**{{i|(c) The ''Śrīparamādyatantra''|310}}
**{{i|(d) The ''Tattvasaṃgrahasūtra''|312}}
*{{i|(5. Pledges and the Maintenance of ''Bodhicitta'' in the ''Mahāyoga'' System|313}}
**{{i|(a) The ''Buddhasamāyogatantra''|319}}
**{{i|(b) The ''Kṛṣṇayamāritantra'' and ''Guhyasamājābhiṣekavidhi''|320}}
**{{i|(c) The ''Guhyendutilakatantra''|328}}
**{{i|(d) The *''Guhyagarbhatantra''|329}}
**{{i|(e) Padmasambhava's Categories of Pledges|329}}
*{{i|6. All Mahāyāna Precepts Relating to the Maintenance of ''Bodhicitta''|330}}
*{{i|7. Concluding Remarks|331}}
 
*'''Chapter Eleven: The Relapse and Restoration of ''Bodhicitta'' '''
 
*{{i|1. Introductory Remarks|333}}
*{{i|2. Impairment to or Loss of ''Bodhicitta''|334}}
*{{i|3. Causes of the Partial or Total Breach of Vows|337}}
*{{i|4. Causes of Impairment to or Loss of ''Bodhicitta''|338}}
*{{i|5. The Abandonment of ''Bodhicitta'' as the Severest Transgression|346}}
*{{i|6. The Types of Setbacks|348}}
*{{i|7. The Restorability of ''Bodhicitta''|351}}
*{{i|8. Retaking and Restoring ''Bodhicitta''|352}}
*{{i|9. The Four Strengths|355}}
*{{i|10. Concluding Remarks|356}}
 
*'''Appendix A: A Critical Edition of the Sanskrit Text of ''Bodhisattvabhūmi'' 1.2'''
 
*{{i|1. Introduction|357}}
**{{i|(a) Extant Manuscripts, Critical Editions, and Other Related Studies on the ''Bodhisattvabhūmi''|357}}
**{{i|(b) A Brief Description of the Extant Manuscripts and Editions|362}}
**{{i|(c) Some Observations as to the Stemmatic Relation of the MSS|365}}
**{{i|(d) Method and Abbreviations Employed in the Critical Edition of the<br>Sanskrit Text|366}}
*{{i|2. The Text|368}}
 
*'''Appendix B: A Critical Edition of the Tibetan Text of ''Bodhisattvabhūmi'' 1.2'''
 
*{{i|1. Introduction|379}}
*{{i|2. The Text|382}}
 
*'''Abbreviations and Bibliography'''


10. Ongoing and Non-Ongoing Cittotpiida............................................... ................... 267
*{{i|1. Journals, Collections, Reference Books, Series, and Other Abbreviations|391}}
11. A Threefold Classification: King-like, Boatman-like, and Herdsman-like.......... 267
*{{i|2. Indian Sources|393}}
(a) Some Indian Precursors of the Classification... ..... .... .... ......... ...... ..... .... ....... 268
*{{i|3. Tibetan Sources|404}}
(b) Assessments by Some Tibetan Scholars ................................. ,..................... 269
*{{i|4. Secondary Sources|411}}
12. A Fourfold Classification....................................................................................... 271
13. SubclassifYing Bodhicitta into Ten Types.............................................................. 273
14. Twenty-Two Kinds of Cittotpiida.......................................................................... 273
(a) Sources of the Twenty-Two Kinds of Cittotpada......................................... 273
(b) A Historical Sketch...... ........... ........ ......... ......... ....... ..... ............... ........ ......... 274
15. Concluding Remarks.............................................................................................. 275
Chapter Nine: Causes and Conditions pertaining to Bodhicitta
1. Introductory Remarks.............................................................................................. 277
2. Causes and Conditions pertaining to Bodhicitta in the Sutra Sources.................... 277
3. Causes and Conditions pertaining to Bodhicitta in the Bodhisattvabhumi............ 279
4. Causes and Conditions pertaining to Bodhicitta in the MahayanasutraZa7}'lki'ira... 283
5. Causes and Conditions pertaining to Bodhicitta as Discussed Elsewhere.. ........... 284
6. Compassion as the Root Cause of Bodhicitta........................................................ 285
7. Concluding Remarks.............................................................................................. 289
Chapter Ten: The Mahayana Observances and the Maintenance ofBodhicitta
1. Introductory Remarks.............................................................................................. 291
2. The Model of the Four Cardinal Transgressions (miiZapatti).................................. 292
3. Pledges and the Maintenance of Bodhicitta in the Kriyatantras............................. 295
(a) The Vairocanabhisa7}'lbodhitantra................................................................ 296
(b) The Guhyatantra........................................................................................... 298
(c) The Susiddhikaratantra................................................................................. 300
(d) The Subahupariprcchatantra........................................................................ 303
4. Pledges and Maintenance of Bodhicitta in the Yogatantras.................................. 305
(a) The Durgatiparisodhanatantra..................................................................... 305
(b) The Vajrasikharatantra................................................................................. 307
(c) The Srfparamiidyatantra.......... ........... .... ...... ............ ..... ............................... 310
(d) The Tattvasa7}'lgrahasutra.................................................................. ........... 312
5. Pledges and the Maintenance of Bodhicitta in the Mahayoga System.................. 313
(a) The Buddhasamayogatantra ......................... ,............................................... 319
(b) The Kr$/Jayamaritantra and Guhyasamajabhi$ekavidhi............................... 320
(c) The GuhyendutiZakatantra............................................................................ 328
(d) The *Guhyagarbhatantra.............................................................................. 329
(e) Padmasambhava's Categories of Pledges..................................................... 329
6. All Mahayana Precepts Relating to the Maintenance of Bodhicitta...................... 330
7. Concluding Remarks.............................................................................................. 331
Chapter Eleven: The Relapse and Restoration of Bodhicitta
1. Introductory Remarks............................................................................................. 333
2. Impairment to or Loss of Bodhicitta...................................................................... 334
3. Causes of the Partial or Total Breach of Vows...................................................... 337
4. Causes of Impairment to or Loss of Bodhicitta...................................................... 338
5. The Abandonment of Bodhicitta as the Severest Transgression............................ 346
6. The Types of Setbacks ...................... ;.................................................................... 348


7. The Restorability of Bodhicitta ...................................... : ....... ;............................... 351
*{{i|'''Index'''|431}}
8. Retaking and Restoring Bodhicitta........................................................................ 352
9. The Four Strengths................................................................................................. 355
10. Concluding Remarks.............................................................................................. 356
Appendix A: A Critical Edition of the Sanskrit Text of Bodliisattvabhumi 1.2
1. Introduction............................................................................................................ 357
(a) Extant Manuscripts, Critical Editions, and
Other Related Studies on the Bodhisattvabhumi.......................................... 357
(b) A Brief Description of the Extant Manuscripts and Editions....................... 362
(c) Some Observations as to the Stemmatic Relation of the MSS..................... 365
(d) Method and Abbreviations Employed in the Critical
Edition of the Sanskrit Text.......................................................................... 366
2. The Text. ............................................................................................................... " 368
Appendix B: A Critical Edition of the Tibetan Text of Bodhisattvabhumi 1.2
1. Introduction........................................ ................ ........................... ......................... 379
2. The Text................................................................................................................. 382
Abbreviations and Bibliography
1. Journals, Collections, Reference Books, Series, and Other Abbreviations............ 391
2. Indian Sources........................................................................................................ 393
3. Tibetan Sources...................................................................................................... 404
4. Secondary Sources................................................................................................. 411
Index............................................................................................................................... 431
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Latest revision as of 15:00, 10 August 2020

The Resolve to Become a Buddha
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Book

Becoming a buddha ('Awakened One') under the Bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa) was undoubtedly the most significant event in the career of the historical Buddha, and may be considered the starting point of Buddhism. According to both Mahāyāna ('Greater Vehicle') and Hīnayāna ('Lesser Vehicle') or non-Mahāyāna, the historical Buddha had sometime in the distant past resolved to become a buddha, thereby launching out on the career of a bodhisattva, that is, a sentient being who strives to attain the highest state of awakening. A major distinction between non-Mahāyāna and Mahāyāna, however, is that for the former the status of being a bodhisattva or buddha is confined to the historical Buddha (or a few others like him), while the ultimate soteriological goal of a disciple is Arhatship (that is, the final state of a saint who has attained release from the cycle of birth and death) primarily for oneself. For the latter, by contrast, even an ordinary sentient being is capable of undertaking the long and arduous career of a bodhisattva by generating bodhicitta and finally becoming a buddha (just like the historical Buddha himself), primarily for the sake of many other sentient beings. In sum, a person who possesses or has generated bodhicitta is considered to be a bodhisattva, and the form of Buddhism concerned with the theory and practice of a bodhisattva is known as Mahāyāna. The idea of bodhicitta in the sense of the resolve to become a buddha is hence the bedrock of Mahāyāna, and is what distinguishes a bodhisattva from a śrāvaka, Mahāyāna from non-Mahāyāna. It is presupposed by all forms of Mahāyāna Buddhism including Vajrayāna ('Diamond Vehicle'), or tantric Mahāyāna.
      Multiple internal and external factors must have contributed to the formation and further development of the concept of bodhicitta. The psychological need of the Buddhists to make up in one way or another for the demise of the historical Buddha may have been one of the principal internal factors that contributed to the formation of the idea of the resolve to become a buddha. Such an idea would not have lacked the doctrinal justification or legitimisation that it needed, for the non-Mahāyāna sources seem to abound in doctrinal elements that could easily be used to underpin the concept of bodhicitta. In its early phase of development, the idea of generating bodhicitta probably meant only the initial resolve to become a buddha, a momentous decision made by an aspirant seeking Buddhahood (buddhatva). This was seen as an indispensable but not necessarily a sufficient condition for the attainment of Buddhahood. However, gradually the idea came to encompass the entire theory and practice of a bodhisattva and to be considered not only a necessary but in fact a sufficient condition for such an attainment. In the course of time, even the true reality that a bodhisattva or buddha experiences as a spiritual event, the meditative insight or gnosis by means of which the true reality is experienced, and all conceivable resources or means—be they psycho-physiological, visual, verbal, or visional impulses that could be employed for becoming a buddha—came to be regarded as bodhicitta. It is this idea as found explicated in Indian and Tibetan Mahāyāna Buddhism that the present study seeks to examine. (Wangchuk, introductory remarks, 21–22)

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Citation Wangchuk, Dorji. The Resolve to Become a Buddha: A Study of the Bodhicitta Concept in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. Studia Philologica Buddhica Monograph Series 23. Tokyo: International Institute for Buddhist Studies, 2007. https://dorjipenjore.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/the-resolve-to-become-a-buddha-a-study-of-the-bodhicitta-concept-in-indo-tibetan-buddhism.pdf.