What is a Bodhisattva?

On home altars, devotees gather to venerate the serene figure of Kuan Yin, “she who hears the cries of the world” or the flaming-sword-wielding Manjushri. Along roadsides in Japan, small stone statues of Jizo, a diminutive bald man carrying a staff, dot the landscape. They say that he protects the souls of children and travelers.

These beloved figures are part of the pantheon of Buddhist bodhisattvas. The term itself—combining “bodhi” (enlightenment) and “sattva” (being)—refers to one who has vowed to attain complete enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. These enlightened beings choose to delay their own liberation, instead remaining present in the cycle of rebirth to guide others toward awakening.

The Dharma of the Bodhisattva

Within Buddhist dharma (teachings), the bodhisattva represents the ultimate expression of compassion—the willingness to remain in the world of suffering until all beings achieve liberation. According to the Mahayana tradition, a bodhisattva begins their journey by taking the bodhisattva vow, pledging to liberate all sentient beings from suffering before entering final nirvana themselves.

The bodhisattva path involves cultivating six perfections (paramitas): generosity, ethical conduct, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom. Through these practices, a bodhisattva gradually accumulates merit and wisdom across countless lifetimes. What distinguishes the bodhisattva ideal from other spiritual paths is its radical selflessness—the bodhisattva’s enlightenment is not pursued for personal salvation but is wholly dedicated to relieving others’ suffering.

Prominent Bodhisattvas of Buddhism

Buddhism recognizes many bodhisattvas, each embodying different virtues. While their names and forms vary across cultures, they all share the goal of aiding beings on the path to enlightenment. Below are some of the most well-known bodhisattvas, revered for their unique roles in Buddhist traditions.

Jizo: Protector of Children and Travelers

The bodhisattva Jizo (Ksitigarbha in Sanskrit) holds special significance in East Asian Buddhism, particularly in Japan. He is especially renowned as a protector of children, including those who died before birth, guiding their souls through the underworld. With his monk’s staff and wish-fulfilling jewel, Jizo statues—often adorned with red bibs and children’s toys—can be found throughout Japan at temples, cemeteries, and along roadsides, offering protection to travelers on both physical and spiritual journeys.

Kuan Yin: Embodiment of Compassion

Kuan Yin (Avalokiteshvara), perhaps the most widely revered bodhisattva in East Asia, represents infinite compassion. Often depicted with multiple arms and heads to symbolize her ability to hear the cries of suffering beings everywhere, Kuan Yin’s name literally means “she who hears the cries of the world.” In China, she evolved into a feminine form (though originally male in Indian Buddhism), becoming the “Goddess of Mercy” who responds to prayers with boundless compassion.

Manjushri: Personification of Wisdom

The Bodhisattva Manjushri embodies prajna (transcendent wisdom). In one hand he wields a flaming sword to cut through ignorance. In the other, he holds a lotus supporting the Prajnaparamita sutra.

Traditionally depicted as a golden-skinned youth of sixteen, Manjushri represents clarity of thought and penetrating insight. His practice is particularly associated with developing sharp intelligence and the ability to discriminate between truth and falsehood. In Zen traditions, Manjushri occupies a special place beside the Buddha in monastery meditation halls, inspiring practitioners to develop wisdom through meditation.

Buddhist Perspectives on Bodhisattvas

Mahayana Buddhism

Mahayana (“Great Vehicle”) Buddhism—prevalent in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam—places the bodhisattva ideal at the center of its practice. In this tradition, all practitioners are encouraged to take the bodhisattva vow, embodying bodhicitta, working toward enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.

Theravada Buddhism

Theravada (“Doctrine of the Elders”) is the oldest existing Buddhist school. It is primarily practiced in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. Practitioners emphasizes the arhat ideal—the enlightened disciple who achieves liberation. The bodhisattva path is recognized as noble but exceedingly rare, typically reserved for those destined to become future Buddhas. In Theravada, the term “bodhisattva” primarily refers to Siddhartha Gautama in his previous lives before becoming the Buddha.

Vajrayana Buddhism

Vajrayana (“Diamond Vehicle”) is practiced predominantly in Tibet, Nepal, and Mongolia. The practice adds distinctive elements such as deity yoga, where practitioners visualize themselves as bodhisattvas. It also recognizes human incarnations of bodhisattvas known as tulkus (the Dalai Lama being the most famous example).

A note on our sources:

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