Council of Bodhisattvas (Sangha)

Bodhisattvas (Tib.chang-chub-sem-pai) literally meaning 'heroes of enlightenment', courageous individuals who dedicate their entire being towards a single goal, to bring about the enlightenment of all sentient beings. An essential element of this commitment to work for others is the determination purposely to remain within the cycle of existence instead of simply seeking freedom from suffering for oneself.

Bhumis (Tib.sa) literally means earth, soil, land, ground, or level. Within the context of the Buddhist path it refers to the progressive levels of realisation through which individuals pass as they journey towards full enlightenment. Mahayana literature speaks of ten such bhumis known as the 'ten bodhisattva levels or grounds' (dashabhumi), while the tantras speak of thirteen or sixteen levels adding three or six buddha levels to those of the bodhisattvas.
In order to relieve the suffering of all sentient beings most effectively Bodhisattvas work together thus forming, The Council of Bodhisattvas. The enormity of a Bodhisattva's profound wisdom and love demands they use skillful means to fulfill their momentous oath. With their esoteric view of World, national, group and individual karma, they choreograph the Plan for the salvation of all sentient beings.

Due to the variation of their attainments and qualities, according to the ten Bodhisattva stages, each with their own inherent substages, plus the stages of discipleship and of aspiration leading thereto they can also be viewed in terms of a Hierarchy of Enlightened Being. Furthermore these levels are preceded by the intelligentsia, thence the well-meaning devotee, which are derived from average humanity. The grouping of Bodhisattvas is headed by an Âdi Buddha, the five Dhyâni Buddhas, their consorts, thence the Dhyâni Bodhisattvas and consorts, the eight mahâbodhisattvas and consorts, etc. The number of beings becomes more numerous as we get lower down the list, thus forming a Hierarchical structure.

The (leaders of the) Council of Bodhisattvas are those beings who, through the wisdom gained by aeons of incarnations and spiritual development, have triumphed over the sum of the material domain (sangsara). They have achieved this goal by the same steps that all individuals must tread today on the path to Great Wisdom and Compassion. They are the elders of humanity and work in organised formation from the realm of enlightened Being (buddhi).

Also known as the Hierarchy of Love and Light, they have developed the capacity to understand the true causes of human suffering and world events from experience gained by having been born again and again into every circumstance in life imaginable. They concern themselves with all Kingdoms in Nature (and all of the Six Realms) and all energy processes and modes of transformations therein. Their executive abilities, planning, insight, resourcefulness, vigilance, patience and compassion, enable them to comprehend and work with life processes across the vastness of space and time, serving as an inspiration to us all. They can be contacted telepathically, on mental realms and above. Part of the training of our Sangha enables us to make reliable links with various members of the Council of Bodhisattvas.

Compiled by Ruth Fitzpatrick