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bodhisattva Definition

bo·dhi·sattva (bō′di sutvə, -sät-)

noun

Buddhism a person who has achieved great moral and spiritual wisdom and is a potential Buddha, esp. such a person who rejects nirvana in order to assist suffering mankind

Etymology: Sans, lit., one enlightened in essence < bodhi, enlightenment (< IE base *bheudh-, to be alert, recognize > OE beodan, to command: see bid) + sattva, being, existence (< IE *sent-, part. stem of base *es-, be > is)

bodhisattva Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • compassion: The Dalai Lama, for example, is believed to be an emanation of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.

Possessives

  • anger: A novice bodhisattva's anger at a mature bodhisattva, for instance, will not de-commission her, but it will impede her development.

Converse of object

  • become: From the moment anyone undertakes the Vow, he becomes a fledgling bodhisattva.

Adjective modifier

  • mature: A novice bodhisattva's anger at a mature bodhisattva, for instance, will not de-commission her, but it will impede her development.
  • great: One might argue that Vimalakirti, the great householder bodhisattva, does not quite belong in this august company.

Modifies a noun

  • ideal: The figure offers an exceptionally compelling image of the bodhisattva ideal.
  • path: Or, perhaps, has Williams come up with a better, presumably more rational approach to the bodhisattva path?
  • practice: But I and others will also turn to it for direction and inspiration in our personal bodhisattva practice.
  • way: The Lotus Suutra emphasizes consequences and the practice of the bodhisattva way for the purpose of saving living beings.

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