Bodhisattva意思

"Bodhisattva" is a term from Buddhism that refers to a being who has attained a high level of enlightenment but delays final nirvana in order to help others attain enlightenment as well. The word comes from the Sanskrit language and is composed of two parts: "bodhi," which means enlightenment, and "sattva," which means being or essence.

A bodhisattva is someone who has made a compassionate vow to save all sentient beings from suffering and to help them achieve liberation. Unlike a Buddha, who has reached full enlightenment and entered nirvana, a bodhisattva remains in the cycle of rebirth to assist others on their path to enlightenment.

The most famous bodhisattva is Avalokiteshvara, who is known for his compassion and is often depicted with multiple arms, symbolizing his ability to help beings in many different ways. Other well-known bodhisattvas include Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom, and Vajrapani, the bodhisattva of power and integrity.

In Mahayana Buddhism, the path of the bodhisattva is seen as the highest and most noble path, and many practitioners aspire to become bodhisattvas themselves. The concept of the bodhisattva is an important part of the Mahayana tradition and is central to the teachings on compassion and altruism found in Buddhism.