Developing Compassion in Mahayana Buddhism

A Bodhisattva is a person who is dedicated to attaining enlightenment. A Buddha is a being who has attained enlightenment. In the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism, Bodhisattvas take vows to work for the complete enlightenment of all sentient beings. A Bodhisattva strives to become fully enlightened as a Buddha. Developing compassion to help other beings and taking vows, instead of entering Nirvana, is the work of a Bodhisattva.

Compassionate determination to aid all beings on their quest for the highest state of development, Buddhahood, is what Bodhisattvas possess. This type of motivation is known as bodhicitta. Bodhi means "enlightened" and citta means "mind" in Sanskrit. There are ten ways a Bohisattva uses to develop compassion.

Bodhisattvas practice ten virtues. These ten virtues are cultivated as a way of purifying the self, building good merit, and helping the aspirant to live an unobstructed life. The ten paramita's are:

1. virtue
2. patience
3. energy
4. renunciation
5. transcendental wisdom
6. compassion
7. determination
8. power
9. generosity
10. truthfulness

Bodisattvas should have moral discipline. Buddha says, "Even if everyone else is not doing good, I alone will. Even if everyone else is doing wrong, I alone will not." Practicing the five precepts is a good start to developing moral discipline, which results in compassion. The first precept is not to steal. This shows compassion to others property. Second precept is not to lie, and displays compassion in words. The third precept is to not harm any being, which is considered the ultimate form of compassion. Fourth precept is to refrain from sexual misconduct, and shows compassion to your loved one. The fifth precept is not taking in intoxicants, and displays compassion toward oneself.