In short: in the early texts a bodhisattva is the Buddha-to-be, the being devoted to awakening. In Mahayana Buddhism it also means anyone who vows to reach awakening for the benefit of all beings. Bodhisattvas practise the six perfections: generosity, ethics, patience, effort, meditation and wisdom.
Two meanings
- Early texts: the Buddha before his awakening, as in the Noble Search (MN 26).
- Mahayana: an ideal for anyone. See what is Mahayana?
Well-known bodhisattvas
- Avalokitesvara, compassion (Guanyin in China, Kannon in Japan).
- Manjushri, wisdom.
- Ksitigarbha, vowing to help beings in difficulty.
The practice
Generosity · patience · effort · concentration. Related: loving-kindness, compassion meditation.
Also: who was the Buddha? · schools of Buddhism
Mantra: Om Mani Padme Hum
Questions people ask
What does bodhisattva mean?
Bodhisattva means being devoted to awakening. In the early texts it describes the Buddha before his awakening; in Mahayana it is anyone on the path who vows to awaken to help all beings.
Who are famous bodhisattvas?
Avalokitesvara (compassion, called Guanyin in China and Kannon in Japan), Manjushri (wisdom), Samantabhadra and Ksitigarbha are among the best known.
Can a normal person be a bodhisattva?
In Mahayana teaching, yes. Anyone who gives rise to the aspiration to awaken for the sake of all beings and practises generosity, ethics, patience, effort, meditation and wisdom is on the bodhisattva path.