Encyclopaedia of Buddhism: A World Faith, Volume 14: Bodhisattva and Selflessness

The introductory sections establish the Bodhisattva as the central organizing principle of the volume. Chitkara defines a Bodhisattva as one who has developed the Awakening Mind (bodhicitta) and dedicates his or her life to Buddhahood for the sake of all sentient beings. The Bodhisattva ideal is therefore grounded in universal compassion and the refusal to separate one’s own spiritual welfare from that of others.

The Foreword stresses selfless service, compassion and the Bodhisattva’s willingness to remain involved in the suffering of the world rather than seeking an isolated personal liberation. It also connects the Bodhisattva ideal with the development of the Awakening Mind and the practice of the Pāramitās. 

The Preface develops this argument philosophically. It emphasizes that the Bodhisattva does not distinguish sharply between “self” and “other”; the suffering of another is understood as inseparable from one’s own sphere of ethical responsibility. Selflessness is therefore not merely a metaphysical doctrine but a mode of life expressed through compassionate action.

The extensive opening chapter further connects Bodhisattva doctrine with bodhicitta, compassion, creativity, the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, the scope of the indriyas, Samantabhadra, Avalokiteśvara, Mañjuśrī and Kṣitigarbha, establishing the doctrinal framework for the chapters that follow.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Buddhist’s Bhakti & Adoration of the Bodhisattvas

3. Altruistic Purification and the Yajna

4. Attributes of Buddha

5. Becoming a Bodhisattva in the Human Realm

6. Way of Living

7. Bodhicaryavatara

8. Bodhicitta: The Essence of Teachings

9. Bodhipakshya Dharma: Common to Both Hinayana & Mahayana

10. Bodhisattva and the World of Suffering

11. Bodhisattva, Destined to Achieve Enlightenment

12. Luxury and Asceticism

13. Bodhisattva, The Goal of Arahants

14. Bodhisattva: Accessible to Both Man & Women

15. Bodhisattva: The Sage of Silence

16. Bodhisattvas Engage Themselves in the Selfless Service

17. Bodhisattvas: The Practitioners of Sadharmapundarika

18. Lotus Sutra, The Philosophy of Life

19. Bodhisattva: Works in Wisdom, Compassion & Love

20. Buddha Nature

21. Buddha, The Fully Enlightened

22. Buddhist Triad: Sila Samadhi & Prajna

23. Actions Culminate Inevitable Consequences

24. Mahamudra: Gesture of the Ultimate Essence

25. Mara & The Bodhisattva

26. Paramitas: The Highest Perfection for Bodhisattva

27. Sanskrit Treatises: Essentially Helpful for the Doctrine of Bodhisattva

28. Self and Selflessness

29. Society & The Bodhisattvas

30. The Bodhisattva Tradition, Deeds & Ideal

31. The Bodhisattva’s Enlightenment

32. The Great Wisdom: Manjusri

33. Bodhisattva: A Characteristic of Mahayana Buddhism

34. Appraisal & Summing Up

Bibliography
Index