In Mahayana Buddhism, a bodhisattva (Sanskrit: a personSattva who is bent on and striving for EnlightenmentBodhi) has the compassionate determination to aid all beings on their quest for the highest state of development, full enlightenment of a Buddha. This type of motivation is known as Bodhicitta.
Remaining in this world of uncontrolled rebirth (cf. Wheel of Life), this individual has taken the bodhisattva vows not to pass into Parinirvana until all other beings have achieved Nirvana.
According to the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism, on his/her way to becoming a Buddha, the bodhisattva proceeds through ten (sometimes fourteen) grounds or bhumi.
Before a bodhisattva arrives at the first ground, he or she first must travel the first two of the five paths (marked also with the syllables from the heart sutra that represents each path):
the path of accumulation (gate)
the path of preparation (gate).
The ten grounds of the bodhisattva then can be grouped into the next three paths
Bhumi 1 the path of insight (paragate)
Bhumi 2-7 the path of meditation (parasamgate)
Bhumi 8-10 the path of no more learning (bodhi)
Great Joy
It is said that being close to enlightenment and seeing the benefit for all sentient beings, one achieves great joy, hence the name. In this bhumi the bodhisattvas practice all virtues (paramita), but especially emphasizing generosity.
Stainless
In accomplishing the second bhumi, the bodhisattva is free from the stains of immorality, therefore, this bhumi is named 'Stainless'. The emphasized virtue is moral ethics.
Radiant
The third bhumi is named 'Radiant', because, for a bodhisattva who accomplishes this bhumi, the light of Dharma is said to radiate from the bodhisattva for others. The emphasized virtue is patience.
Luminous
This bhumi is called 'luminous', because it is said to be like a radiating light that fully burns that which opposes enlightenment. The emphasized virtue is perseverance.
Very difficult to train
Bodhisattvas who attain this bhumi strive to help sentient beings attain maturity, and do not become emotionally involved when such beings respond negatively, both of which are difficult to do. The emphasized virtue is meditative concentration.
Obviously Transcendent
"By depending on the perfection of wisdom awareness, he [the bodhisattva] does not abide in either samsara or nirvana, so it is 'obviously transcendent'". The emphasized virtue is wisdom.
Gone afar
Particular emphasis is on the perfection of skillful means, or upaya-kaushalya, [to help others].
Immovable
The emphasized virtue is aspiration.
This, the 'Immovable' bhumi, is the bhumi at which one becomes able to choose his/her place of rebirth.
Good Discriminating Wisdom
The emphasized virtue is strength.
Cloud of dharma
The emphasized virtue is the practice of primordial wisdom.
Buddhahood
After the ten bhumis, according to Mahayana Buddhism, one attains complete enlightenment and becomes a Buddha.
According to Mahayana tradition, Arhats have purified their stains and all emotional afflictions, but have not yet attained complete, unsurpassable enlightenment, or buddhahood.
The list of ten bhumis and their descriptions are from The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, a treatise by Gampopa, an influential character of the Kagyu tradition.
A bodhisattva practices several virtues, called the paramitas. These are often listed as the perfection of:
giving
ethics
patience
joyous effort
concentration
wisdom
When becoming liberated from uncontrolled rebirth, the bodhisattva becomes like an Arahant (sometimes spelled Arhat), but rather than moving into Nirvana, remains in the world to lead other beings to liberation and enlightenment.
In Theravada Buddhism, the Bodhisattva (Pali) is an aspirant striving for Enlightenment, so that once Awakened, he or she may efficiently aid other beings with the expertise of supreme Enlightenment. In the holy Tipitaka, Siddhattha Gotama's life experience as a bodhisattva before Buddhahood is recorded in the texts of the Jataka. Lay Buddhists of Theravada seek inspiration in Gautama's skill as a good layman in these texts (which account not only tells of his historical life, but many previous lives). Believed by some to be presently acting as a bodhisattva, is Maitreya (Pali: Metteyya), known as the future Buddha to be who is said to be currently residing in the Tusita world awaiting rebirth.
