Bodhicitta, Bodhi-citta: 13 definitions

Introduction
In Buddhism
Languages
1. Sanskrit
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Introduction:

Bodhicitta means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

Alternative spellings of this word include Bodhichitta.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Google Books: The Crystal Mirror of Philosophical Systems

Bodhicitta (बोधिचित्त) (Sanskrit; in Tibetan: byang chub sems) — (lit. “Awakening mind”) — In Mahayana, a state of mind cultivated by a bodhisattva . The conventional awakening mind is the vow to attain enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings; the ultimate awakening mind is the empty nature of all dharmas, including the enlightened mind

Source: archive.org: The Indian Buddhist Iconography

Bodhicitta (बोधिचित्त) refers to the “mind” of the “worshipper” (bodhisattva) in Vajrayāna or Tantric Buddhism.—In the realisation of the deity, there are thus three elements, the worshipper, the deity and their connection or identity. These are named in the Tantric works as the Bodhicitta, the Mantrapuruṣa (Mantra body) and the Ahaṃkāra (identity). The worshipper is called the Bodhisattva (Bodhi essence), and, his mind is known as the Bodhicitta (Will to Enlightenment). [...]

The Vajrayāna conception of the Bodhi mind (bodhicitta) appears to be the same as advocated in Yogācāra, an idea of which can be gained by a reference to the Tattvasaṅgraha of Śāntarakṣita. The Bodhi mind is like a continuous stream of consciousness which changes every moment, the consciousness of the previous moment giving rise to or causing the consciousness of the succeeding moment. The chain of momentary consciousness which is without a beginning or an end, operating in unison with the all powerful act-force leads it either to degradation or to emancipation according as the actions done are good or bad. The Bodhi mind (bodhicitta) is by nature surcharged with impurities such as desire, memory, existence, non-existence, subject, object and the rest which are all unreal. To purify this chain of consciousness is the sole aim of the Bodhisattva, but so long as impurities are not removed, it will be subject to a series of transmigrations either in the world of gods or men, or of animals, birds, ghosts and demons.

When the Mantra becomes powerful the vibrations let loose by the Bodhi-mind (boddhicitta) react on the universal Śūnya which explodes in consequence in the divine form of the deity and appears before his mind sky. According as the calling signal is different in different cases the deity becomes different, and thus its number increases. The deities are nothing but the forms created by the force of word or letter vibrations, and by continuous practice anyone can visualise the deity. The Mantra idea is not only logically correct but also philosophically profound.

Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

Bodhicitta (बोधिचित्त) refers to an “enlightened mind”, according to the Guru Mandala Worship (maṇḍalārcana) ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “Until awakening I seek refuge, in the highest assembly of Buddha dharma, I hasten to accomplish awakened mind, for the success of self and others. I raise the highest enlightened mind (bodhicitta), I invite all beings to this place, Following the wisest conduct desired, becoming a Buddha for the world”.

Source: De Gruyter: Himalayan Anthropology: The Indo-Tibetan Interface

Bodhicitta (बोधिचित्त) refers to the “sacred semen” (which emanates the transferable amṛta—ambrosia), according to William Stablein’s A Descriptive Analysis of the Content of Nepalese Buddhist Pujas as a Medical-Cultural System (with References to Tibetan Parallels).—The tshog shin (sacred tree) is also mentally visualized.—[...] The Vajra body (vajradeha) is the model system of three nerves: lalanā, rasanā, and avadhūtī, which are located in the left, right, and middle parts of the body respectively. With these nerves there are five cakra [circular arrangements within the head, throat, heart, stomach, and genitals]. The main function of this unit is the sacred procreation, i.e., the creation of the bodhicitta [sacred semen]. This in turn emanates the transferable amṛta [ambrosia]. This is the salient feature of the perfect concentration pūjā (samādhipūjā). Symbolic of this pūjā is the double triangle in the shape of a six-pointed star that one will find in almost every monastic courtyard, standing for the union upāya [means] and prajñā [insight].

Note: Professor Bharati writes that, “Anthropomorphically the bodhicitta is the mind of each living Buddha, as of each enlightened person” (Bharati 1970:293). The rendering “sacred semen” fits the actual function of the unit. The non-hierophants, both Newar and Tibetan, do not understand citta (Tibetan sems) as having anything to do with semen; however, the hierophants (vajrācārya) have no qualms about making the analogy. The amṛta [curing ambrosia] is dependent upon the creation of the bodhicitta [sacred semen].

Source: WikiPedia: Tibetan Buddhism

Bodhicitta (बोधिचित्त) refers to “awakened mind” and corresponds to the Tibetan [byang chub kyi sems].—Semde [sems sde] texts (one of the scriptural divisions of Dzogchen) are mostly said to be translations by figures of the early transmission (7th–9th centuries) of Buddhism to Tibet like Shri Singha, Vairotsana and Vimalamitra. These texts emphasize the "awakened mind" (Tibetan: byang-chub-kyi sems; Sanskrit: bodhicitta), which is the true nature of the mind and is essentially pure and perfect, just like Buddha-hood.

context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Bodhicitta (बोधिचित्त) refers to the “mind of (supreme) bodhi”, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 46.—Accordingly, “Beings who hear these exhortations are ‘established in the perfection of exertion’. [...] Speaking to beings, the Bodhisattva again tells them: Buddha activity being like that, you must produce the mind of supreme bodhi (anuttara-bodhicitta). By diligently practicing exertion and by acting in accordance with the Dharma, you will attain it without any difficulty. [...]”.

Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Bodhicitta (बोधिचित्त) refers to the “thought of awakening”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly: “Śāriputra asked: ‘Son of good family, how long will the thought of awakening (bodhicitta) be continued after having been generated by you?’ Gaganagañja answered: ‘It is known by the knowledge of the Tathāgata’. The Śāriputra the Elder addressed himself to the Lord: ‘O Lord, how long the thought of awakening will be continued after the Bodhisattva Gaganagañja produced it?’ The Lord said: ‘If the Tathāgata teaches this subject, all of the world including the gods will be confused’”.

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Buddhism

Bodhicitta:—The mind of enlightenment.

Source: Buddhist Door: GlossaryThe mind of enlightenment. It is with this initiative that a Buddhist begins his path to complete, perfect enlightenment.Source: WikiPedia: Buddhism

In Buddhism, bodhicitta (Jp:. bodaishin, Tibetan: jang chub sem) is the wish to attain complete enlightenment (that is, Buddhahood) in order to be of benefit to all sentient beings - beings trapped in cyclic existence (samsara) and have not yet reached Buddhahood. One who has bodhicitta as the primary motivation for all of his or her activities is called a bodhisattva.

Source: Buddhism Tourism: Glossary of Buddhist Terms

A Mahayana technical term meaning "thought of enlightenment". Bodhicatta is believed to be the prerequisite to actual entry onto bodhisattva path.

Source: Shambala Publications: General

Bodhichitta Skt., lit., “awakened mind”; the mind of enlightenment, one of the central notions of Mahāyāna Buddhism. In the Tibetan tradition it is seen as having two aspects, relative and absolute. The relative mind of enlightenment is divided again into two phases

the intention and wish, nurtured by limitless compassion, to attain liberation (nirvāna) for the sake of the welfare of all beings and
actual entry into meditation, the purpose of which is the acquisition of the appropriate means to actualize this wish.

The absolute mind of enlightenment is viewed as the vision of the true nature of phenomena. The various methods for arousing the mind of enlightenment stem primarily from Atīsha and entered into all schools of Tibetan Buddhism through him.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Bodhicitta (बोधिचित्त).—nt., thought of enlightenment, the mental attitude which aspires to Buddhahood or Bodhisattvahood; Mahāvyutpatti 2351; Lalitavistara 8.18; 34.17; and passim; especially Gaṇḍavyūha 494.1, where begins a passage glorifying it, cited with abbrevia- tions Śikṣāsamuccaya 5.20 ff.

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Relevant text

Search found 34 books and stories containing Bodhicitta, Bodhi-citta; (plurals include: Bodhicittas, cittas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

2a) The general explanation of arising and entering < [Part 2 - The essence]

3c) Afterwards, as for the short teaching of exertion in the two bodhicittas < [Part 3 - The liturgy of receiving]

A. Meditating on the root of all dharmas, the two bodhicittas < [Chapter VIII - Bodhicitta, the Mind Focused on Complete Enlightenment]

+ 54 more chapters / show preview

1.3. (iv) The Undifferentiated Suchness < [Chapter 3 - Tantric Doctrine in Hevajra Tantra]

3.2. The Completion Stage < [Chapter 3 - Tantric Doctrine in Hevajra Tantra]

Preface

+ 14 more chapters / show preview

Comparative Readings

Chapter 2 - Mulapattayah Sthulapattayah (mulapatti / sthulapatti) < [Sanskrit texts of the Advayavajra-samgraha]

Chapter 6 - Caturmudra < [Sanskrit texts of the Advayavajra-samgraha]

+ 1 more chapters / show preview