No abstract given. Here are the first relevant paragraphs:
When we look at the history of Buddhism we find that in the Mahayana scriptures two concepts are the most profound, sublime and influential. These are the concepts of Bodhisattva and Sunyata. According to the ‘Vajrachedika Prajna Paramita Sutra the ideal of Bodhisattva is, “Never abandon all beings and to see into the truth that all things are empty.” The Bodhisattva ideal evolved from the Bodhisattva concept of the Pali Nikaya and gradually spread to a large part of Asia, particularly China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. This form of Mahayana Buddhism influenced the people of these countries in almost every fields of life such as religion, politics, economics, sociology, psychology and culture. It has been rightly pointed out by Edward Conze that the two most noteworthy contributions of the Mahayana doctrine are the creation of the Bodhisattva ideal and the elaboration of the doctrine of Emptiness.
According to Har Dayal, the Bodhisattva doctrine originated probably in the 2nd century B.C. He says,” We may regard the second century B.C. as the chronological starting point for the development of the Bodhisattva.” According to N. Dutta it was around 2nd or 1st century B.C.[1]
Most religions teach us that the communication between the followers and God or Creator is based on an absolute belief in Him. If they have God’s favour they will find luck and happiness in the present and future. But the Buddha differed from this view. He is with the opinion that morality, concentration and purification of mind are necessary for ultimate liberation. The Buddha also exhorted people to stay away from evil not because of the fear of punishment from God but from a sincere wish for the welfare of all beings. He urged people to cultivate good qualities and develop the powers inherent within us with self confidence.
Santideva was a famous Buddhist philosopher saint. Though his life cannot be actually dated from references to him as found in historically datable sources we can infer that he lived in India during the last part of the seventh century and the first part of the eighth century. He followed the Mahayana tradition and has attained everlasting fame by composing Bodhicarayavatara and the Siksasamuccaya. These two books as a whole give a splendid account of Indian Mahayana thought on the theory and conduct of a Bodhisattva. The name of Santideva is associated above all with two extant texts the Bodhicaryavatara and the Sikshasamuchaya. (Sumanapal Bhikkhu, introductory remarks, 1)
Notes
- Dutta, N, Mahayana Buddhism, Sri Satguru Publication, (New Delhi, 1978, p. 1. see also, Bhikkhuni Gioi Hiong, Bodhisattva and Sunyata, Eastern Book Linkers, New Delhi, 2005, p. 125.
