Bodhisattva

Bodhisattva is a term in Sanskrit, a compound of two words 'Bodhi' and 'Sattva'. Bodhi is literally 'perfect knowledge' and Sattva is essence. Thus, bodhisattva, literally is 'a person whose essence is perfect knowledge'. In Mahayana Buddhism, the term bodhisattva is applied for a person who is able to attain nirvana, but goes on delaying one's own nirvana due to compassion for other beings who are suffering. A bodhisattva thus delays one's nirvana for saving others from their sufferings.

In Buddhism, it also denotes a potential Buddha or the one who is likely to be born once or twice before he becomes a perfect Buddha, the enlightened one.

The term is derived from the Jatakas, the stories of the former births of Lord Buddha, when he was born as Bodhisattva. Later, it was included as a technical term in Buddhist theology.

Nearby pages
Bodhran, Bodice, Bodice-ripper, Bodkin, Bodmin, Bodoni