Bodhisattva
lit. “enlightenment-being”
An enlightened being who postpones full nirvana to help others reach it.
Origin
The central ideal of Mahayana Buddhism (the dominant form in China, Japan, Korea, Tibet, and Vietnam). Rather than the early Buddhist arhat who escapes alone, the bodhisattva vows to remain in samsara, life after life, until every being is liberated. Famous bodhisattvas include Avalokiteshvara (compassion — known in China as Guanyin, in Japan as Kannon), Manjushri (wisdom), and the future Buddha Maitreya. The vow itself is something any Mahayana practitioner can take.
Modern usage
Used in Buddhist circles in the West and in interfaith writing for selfless devotion to others' welfare — 'a bodhisattva of code review' echoes the same template as 'samurai of code review'. The word retains more religious weight than karma or zen and isn't fully pop-culture casual yet.
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