What is a Bodhisattva?

Compassion by John Pitre

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What is a Bodhisattva?

"A Bodhisattva is an ordinary person who takes up a course in his or her life that moves in the direction of Buddha. You and I, actually, anyone who directs their attention, their life, to practicing the way of life of a Buddha is a Bodhisattva....

The life that flows through each of us and through everything around us is actually all connected. To say that, of course, means that who I really am cannot be separated from all the things that surround me. Or, to put it another way, all sentient beings have their existence and live within my life. So needless to say, that includes even the fate of all mankind—that, too, lies within me. Therefore, just how mankind might truly live out its life becomes what I aim at as my direction. This aiming or living while moving in a certain direction is what is meant by vow.

In other words, it is the motivation for living that is different for a Bodhisattva. Ordinary people live thinking only about their own personal, narrow circumstances connected with their desires. In contrast to that, a Bodhisattva, though undeniably still an ordinary human being like everyone else, lives by vow. Because of that, the significance of his or her life is not the same. For us as Bodhisattvas, all aspects of life, including the fate of humanity itself, live within us. It is with this in mind that we work to discover and manifest the most vital and alive posture that we can take in living out our life."

~Kosho Uchiyama

(from the article What is a Bodhisattvas)

My thoughts:

I think the ideas in the article above can apply to all of us who want and work for decent living conditions for all living beings. Whether you call us Bodhisattvas, Spiritualists, Religious or just a Band of Do Gooders, we must realize that the world NEEDS us. We all must awaken to the awareness that we are all connected and that our actions in this world have an effect on all of us as a whole. 

The more people who take up the mission to add more good in the world by helping others, the more power the good will have in overcoming the bad. There will always be suffering as it is part of the human condition, but there is suffering that is caused by the systems invented by humankind and that suffering can and must be eliminated so that all living beings can Live happier, healthier, fuller Lives. 

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As I read the quote below, I replace the word Bodhisattvas with Do Gooders  - people who make it their their mission to improve the lives of all living beings by helping others, thus adding more good in the world.

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"What the world needs more than anything is Bodhisattvas, active servants of peace, “clothed,” as Longchenpa said, “in the armor of perseverance,” dedicated to their Bodhisattva vision and to the spreading of wisdom into all reaches of our experience. We need Bodhisattva lawyers, Bodhisattva artists and politicians, Bodhisattva doctors and economists, Bodhisattva teachers and scientists, Bodhisattva technicians and engineers, Bodhisattvas everywhere, working consciously as channels of compassion and wisdom at every level and in every situation of society; working to transform their minds and actions and those of others, working tirelessly in the certain knowledge of the support of the Buddhas and enlightened beings for the preservation of our world and for a more merciful future."

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My Thoughts:

Whoever you are. Whatever you do. Wherever you live. Just whatever! Let's add more good to the world by helping those around us. Do something good for others today and tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow!