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MAHAKARUNA
A question is posed in the famous Mahayana sutra 'Aryagayashirsh': "O, Manjushri, how did the charya (inception of work) of the Bodhisattva begin? How did it get established and what are the reasons?
Manjushri replied: "O Son of Gods! The inception of the work of Bodhisattvas begins with Mahakaruna and because the souls live in sorrow and misery, it is (karma) enforced or incepted".
It is mentioned in the Mahayana sutra named 'Aryadharma sangeet' that excessive knowledge of religion is of less importance to the Bodhisattva. A Bodhisattva has to imbibe just one religion or way and merely by doing so, he shall encompass the Buddha Dharma in totality. The inclination of the Buddha Dharma is directly related to the inclination of Mahakaruna.
For instance, others senses shall be activated only if Prana remains in the human body. In the same way, Mahakaruna determines the course of the Bodhipakshik religion.
The ultimate aim of a Bodhisattva is the welfare of all living beings. And to do so, it is committed even by going to the extent of self-sacrifice. It is written in the Mahayana shastra that Avalokiteshwara and Manjushri are till date present as Bodhisattvas who are helping people to move on the path of liberation. Until the sorrows of the meanest creatures are eliminated, the Bodhicharyavatar and Shiksha Samuccharyan has comprehensively narrated the ideals and Sadhana of Bodhisatvas with depth and profoundity. Accordingly, Mahamaitri and Mahakaruna are the primary exigencies of Boddhisattva. Acharya Shantideva has said of Mahamaitri and Mahakaruna that -
KATMA BODHISATVANAM MAHAMAITRI? AHAYATKAYA
JEEVITAM CHA SARVAKUSHAL MULAM CHA SARVA
SATVANAM NIRYATTANTI, NA CHA PRATIKARAM KANGSHATI|
KATMA BODHISATVANAM MAHAKARUNA? YATPOORUVATARAM SATVANAM BODHIMICHCHANTI NATMAN ITI||
-----------(SHIKSHA SAMUCHCHYAM)
What is the friendship of Mahamaitri like? Those who develop this friendship within themselves, want to sacrifice everything they posses i.e. are their body, life, and always do good to the world. And expect nothing in return.
What is the compassion of Mahakurana like? They firstly pray for the Bodhi (salvation) of all the living creatures, not for themselves.
They do not fear for any type of natural happiness, fame, wealth, beauty and success. On the contrary, they are ready to sacrifice everything for the benefit of other creatures.
Speaking about the love towards all the living beings, it has been said -
YATHPI NAM SHRESHTHINO VA GRIHAPATERVA
EK MUTRA KE GUNAVATI MAJJAGATAM PREM EKMEV MAHAKARUNA
PRATILABHDASYA BODHISATVASYA SARVA SATVESHU
MAJJAGATAM PREMETI|
----------(SHIKSHA SAMUCCHAYAM)
In the same way as the guardian or a father has immense love for his talented son, the Mahakarunik Bodhisattva (Bodhisattva having a lot of compassion) has tremendous love for all living beings.
He has to undergo limitless suffering and ostracism with patience and peace for others' emancipation.
MAYA SARVASATVAHA PARIMOCHYITAVYAHA MAYA SARVAJAGAT SAMUTTARYITAVYAM|
JATI KANTARAT JARA KANTARAT VYADHI KANTARAT SARVAPATTIKANTARAT
SARVAPAYA KANTARAT, AGYANSAMUTITH
KANTARAT MAYA SARVA SATVAHA SARVAKANTAREBHYAHA PARI MOCHYITAVYAHA||
-------(SHIKSHA SAMUCHAYAM 16)
We shall have to liberate all the creatures, shall have to emancipate the entire world from death, life, disease, senility, evil and sin, destruction, from ignorance, everything that is difficult, unfathomable and unfavourable.
These Bodhisattvas have taken a resolution to emancipate the world, but for how much time or duration? (Bodhicharyavatar) 3/12)
AEVAMAKASHNISHTHASYA SATVAGHATORANEKDHA
BHAVEYA UPJEEVYO AHAM YAVAT SARVE NA NIRVRITAHA||
Until all the creatures and living beings present in the Jeeva loka (Earth) are not emancipated, Bodhisattva shall serve and liberate all.
How the Bodhisattvas consider their salvation secondary to that of others? How and from where do they accumulate energy to do so?
MUCHYAMANESHU SATVESHU YETE PRAMODYASAGARAHA
TAIREVE NANU PARYAPTAM MOKSHENARASIKEN RIM||
When a life is liberated from this cycle of birth and death, the Bodhisattva attains the highest level of happiness in his heart which is filled with love and affection. This itself is enough. What is the use of salvation that lacks happiness and beauty?
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