Email this article Characteristics of the Term Bodhisattva in the Saddhar-mapuṇḍarīka: Bodhi-saTTva vs Bodhi-saTvan
- Authors: Lee Y.1
-
Affiliations:
- Kokoro Institute for Essential Buddhist Studies, Komazawa University
- Issue: Vol 11, No 1 (2025)
- Pages: 25-52
- Section: Articles
- Published: 18.08.2025
- URL: https://journals.eco-vector.com/2410-0145/article/view/682896
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.55512/wmo682896
- ID: 682896
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Abstract
In his Glossary of Dharmarakṣa’s Translation of the Lotus Sutra [Saddharmapuṇḍarīka], Seishi Karashima describes a 開士 (kāi-shì) as “a man, who is on the way to enlightenment”. The term 開士 (kāi-shì) is generally accepted to be an older translation of 菩薩 (pú sà; Bodhisattva). The question remains as to why the words 開士 and 菩薩 are distinguished in Dharmarakṣa’s version, even though both meanings are Bodhisattva. How was a Bodhisattva understood when Dharmarakṣa made his translation in 286 CE? In this study, I will present the characteristics associated with these usages, and examine the differences between Sanskrit manuscripts (Central Asian manuscript SI P/5 and Gilgit manuscript No. 44 in Delhi collection) and manuscripts in other languages, such as Tibetan. Then, I will present my hypothesis that the root of the difference is related to the rendering of Bodhi-saTTva as Bodhi-saTvan.
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About the authors
Youngsil Lee
Kokoro Institute for Essential Buddhist Studies, Komazawa University
Author for correspondence.
Email: yslee102618@gmail.com
PhD, Researcher
Japan, TokyoReferences
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