The Bodhisattva Doctrine in Buddhist Sanskrit Literature c11.2

c11.2

The life of Gautama Buddha is the basis and starting-point of all the doctrines and theories of Buddhism. The supposed events of his past lives as a *bodhisattva* have been related in the *avadānas* (stories) devoted to that inspiring theme. The doctrine of a *bodhisattva's* career was also promulgated in order to explain and interpret the historic fact of his marvellous virtue and wisdom. In Buddhist philosophy and history, all roads lead to Gautama Buddha. The real and imaginary important incidents of his life have been regarded as the necessary experiences of all advanced *bodhisattvas* in their last lives, during which they attain Enlightenment. All such *bodhisattvas* must be born and must live in the same manner. Gautama Buddha's life is regarded as a concrete instance of the general law relating to a *bodhisattva's* last earthly existence, which he at last reaches after three *asaṅkhyeyas* of aeons.