Bodhisattva facts for kids

Buddhism
Basic terms
Three Jewels Four Noble Truths Dukkha Samudaya Nirodha Marga Noble Eightfold Path Buddhahood Enlightenment Nirvana
People
Gautama Buddha Dalai Lama Bodhisattva Sangha
Schools
Theravada Mahayana Zen Vajrayana Nyingma Kagyu Sakya Gelug
Practices
study Dharma Meditation Metta

A bodhisattva is a Buddhist who is on their way to become a Buddha. They have attained a certain level of enlightenment, but decide not to enter Nirvana so that they can continue helping living beings in the world.

The word Bodhisattva can also refer to certain specific bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri and Vajrapani.

Many bodhisattvas made a special vow that defines their personality or method of helping people. For example, Kshitigarbha vowed not to attain enlightenment until there were no more beings in hell. Some Buddhas, such as Amitabha, made certain vows when they were bodhisattvas. He became a Buddha when these vows were fulfilled.

Related pages

• Buddha

Images for kids

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  Bodhisattva of Gandhara, Pakistan, 1st-3rd century

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  Bronze statue of the bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. Sri Lanka, c. 750 CE.

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  A silver figure of youthful Manjushri bodhisattva, Sailendra art early 9th century Central Java, collection of the National Museum.

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  Gandharan relief depicting the bodhisattva (future Gautama Buddha) taking a vow at the foot of Dipankara Buddha, Art Institute of Chicago.

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  Probable early image of a bodhisattva (Bimaran casket, 50 CE).

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  Modern depiction of the bodhisattva resolution (praṇidhāna) in front of Dipankara.

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  Mural of Padmapani in Ajanta Caves. India, 5th century

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  Wood carving of Avalokiteśvara. Liao China, 907–1125

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  Mural of bodhisattvas. China, Tang Dynasty, 7th–9th century.

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  Standing bodhisattva. Gandhāra, 2nd–3rd century.

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  Standing bodhisattva. Gandhāra, 2nd–3rd century.

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  Boddhisattva Vajrapani. Mendut near Borobudur, Central Java, Indonesia. Sailendran art c. 8th century.