Bodhisattva, << `boh` dee SAHT vuh, >> in the Buddhist religion, is a person who strives to become a Buddha. Buddhists believe that Buddhas have developed certain moral and religious perfections, and have reached a state of complete enlightenment and peace called nirvana. Bodhisattvas vow to reach nirvana, but to delay entering it in order to work for the salvation of others. To achieve this goal, a bodhisattva follows Buddhist ways of life called the Middle Way, the Noble Eightfold Path, and the Bodhisattva Path.
Various branches of Buddhism differ in their interpretation of who may become a bodhisattva. For example, followers of the Mahayana branch are expected to take bodhisattva vows. Many of these followers worship various celestial bodhisattvas who they believe are gods. Many Mahayana rulers have identified themselves with one or more of these gods. For example, the Dalai Lamas of Tibet have traditionally claimed to be reincarnations of a bodhisattva named Avalokitesvara. Members of the Theravada branch and related branches regard few people as bodhisattvas.
See also Buddha ; Buddhism ; Dalai Lama .
