A bodhisattva is literally a living being (sattva) who aspires to be enlightened (bodhi) and in the process carries out altruistic practices. Compassion, an empathic action of sharing someone else’s feelings, is a key characteristic of a bodhisattva.
This is displayed in an incident from the Vimalakirti Sutra which concerns a prominent lay follower of the Buddha who had fallen ill. When questioned about his illness, Vimalakirti replied, “Because the beings are ill, the bodhisattva is ill. The sickness of the bodhisattva arises from his great compassion.”
The four great bodhisattva vows are summarized in the following lines -
Creations are numberless, I vow to free them.
Delusions are inexhaustible, I vow to transform them.
Reality is boundless, I vow to perceive it.
The awakened way is unsurpassable, I vow to embody it.
While many people start practicing Buddhism in order to overcome their personal obstacles or for happiness, as time passes they naturally develop a concern for the well-being of others. Being able to perceive the interconnected of life, they are able to direct their actions towards the well-being of others, including sharing with them the teachings of Buddha so that the listener can also tap into the richness of their own lives, which until now was hidden.
