bodhisattva
nounUK /ˌbɒdɪˈsatvə/ · /boʊ̯diːˈsʌtvə/
Etymology Borrowed from Sanskrit बोधिसत्त्व (bodhisattva, “enlightened existence”).
1
Buddhism, Lifestyle, Religion A person who has taken specific lay or monastic vows and who is on the road to perfect knowledge; specifically, one who foregoes personal nirvana in order to help others achieve enlightenment.
- Kimi was a true bodhisattva, and her English skills were excellent.2021, Ruth Ozeki, The Book of Form and Emptiness, Canongate Books (2022), page 414:
2
Buddhism, Lifestyle, Religion An enlightened being existing in a form of existence beyond the ordinary forms of physical reality understood and acknowledged by scientific thought, resembling the Western notion of angels, but with a wealth of its own nuances and expectations. These include the compassionate working for enlightenment of all sentient beings.
- Synonyms
- mahasattva
- Derived terms
- bodhisattva vows