Buddhism
The path of the bodhisattva

WJEC EDUQAS

Match up the correct descriptor with the correct stage. Once you have done this, put the ten bhumis in the correct order and check against the background notes.

Stage

Descriptor

  • Delight and joy
  • Purity
  • Brightness
  • Inflammation
  • Very difficult to conquer
  • Manifest
  • Going far away
  • Immovable
  • Good intelligence
  • Clouds of dharma
  • At this stage the perfection of generosity (dana) is generated for the benefit of others. Merit accumulated is to be invested in the future aspiration of Buddhahood for himself and others.
  • At this stage all actions are spontaneously pure and moral virtue (sila) is perfected. Heavenly Buddhas are visualised in meditations.
  • Patience (ksanti) is perfected at this stage through meditation on compassion. Patience helps one to persist in fathoming the profound dhamma.
  • Here the purifying bodhi is said to consume all remains of ignorance and vigour (virya) is perfected. It is at this stage that a practitioner can become ordained and follow the seven categories of virtues. The seventh category is the 8-fold path.
  • At this stage insight is highly advanced and meditative trances (dhyana) are perfected; as Suzuki writes, “the Bodhisattva has developed an intellectual power to penetrate deep into the system of existence.”
  • Wisdom (prajna) is perfected and the bodhisattva has an ability to see into the very fabric of existence and identify its true nature as ‘empty’ of essence. It is at this crucial stage that the bodhisattva, now equal to an arhat, makes the decision to return to samsara for the sake of other beings.
  • At this stage skilful means (upaya kausalya) is applied and the bodhisattva is able to project himself into different worlds to help and teach others. He tirelessly practises the ten virtues of perfection.
  • A bodhisattva cannot fall away from this stage. It is at this stage that all desire and aspiration for Buddhahood are removed from the consciousness.
  • The Bodhisattva acquires four complete and comprehensive knowledges: the nature of things as empty; their individual characteristics as subject to rebirth; their indestructible nature beyond duality; and, their eternal order and intrinsic value.
  • Here knowledge (jnana) is complete. The bodhisattva is surrounded by lesser bodhisattvas and Buddhas offer blessings in preparation for final Buddhahood.