2025/11/16 Bodhisattva Way. Sunday, November 16th

The Way of the Bodhisattva

The Way of the Bodhisattva is an important concept in Zen Buddhism, arising from the Mahayana tradition. A bodhisattva is someone who aspires to enlightenment in order to help all living beings free themselves from suffering. There are several aspects to be developed in order to follow this path.

The first aspect is having deep dedication to practice, in order to help beings in the most effective way. The second is the commitment to liberate all sentient beings from suffering before oneself. And the third is to follow the path with the right attitude of learning—a beginner’s mind—and with a continuous practice without long interruptions.

The Bodhisattva Vows

However innumerable all beings are,
I vow to save them all.
However inexhaustible delusions are,
I vow to extinguish them all.
However immeasurable the teachings of the Buddha are,
I vow to study them all.
However perfect the Buddha’s Way is,
I vow to realize it.

The Six Pāramitās of the Bodhisattva Path

The Way of the Bodhisattva promotes the practice of the “Six Pāramitās” or Six Perfections—qualities and actions that bodhisattvas cultivate to attain enlightenment and help others. These six perfections are:

Dāna (generosity): selfless and altruistic giving

Śīla (ethics): maintaining moral and ethical conduct

Kṣānti (patience): developing inner peace and patience in the face of difficulties

Vīrya (energy): possessing steady dedication and energy in spiritual practice

Dhyāna (meditation): cultivating meditation and concentration to guide the mind toward enlightenment

Prajñā (wisdom): developing deep understanding and wisdom to see the ultimate truth of reality

Generating Bodhicitta

The Way of the Bodhisattva encourages practitioners to generate bodhicitta—that is, to awaken not only for their own benefit, but also for the benefit of all living beings. This philosophy emphasizes understanding the interdependence of all life, and the compassionate act of working to be free from the cycle of suffering and to bring peace and happiness to others. It is a noble and altruistic path.

Dharma Workshop on the Bodhisattva Way

Sunday, November 16th | 5:00 PM – 7:15 PM

Led by Zen teacher Lluis Nansen Salas

Single session: €20 (€10 for active members)

See full course info: Dharma Course

Enroll in this Dharma workshop