Sanskrit = enlightenment-being
Term often used to refer to the Buddha before he attained supreme enlightenment...more generally used to describe any being destined for enlightenment (prajna) or on a path to enlightenment.
Mahayana Buddhism's central teaching is the spiritual path of the bodhisattva via arousing the "mind of enlightenment".
The monk takes a vow to attain supreme enlightenment for the "sake of all beings", postponing his shot at Nirvana in an act of supreme benevolence.
Very cool...