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In Buddhist thought, a Bodhisattva (Ch.: 菩薩 pú sà, Jp.: bosatsu) is a being who is dedicated to achieving complete Buddhahood. That is their reason for "being" or raison d'être. Conventionally, the term is applied to hypothetical beings with a high degree of enlightenment. Bodhisattva literally means an "enlightenment (bodhi) being (sattva)" in Sanskrit.

The following is a partial list of bodhisattvas, worshipped in Mongolian, Tibetan, Japanese and Chinese traditions.

• Akasagarbha

(Ch. 虛空藏　, Xu Kong Zang, Jp. Kokuzo) - The Bodhisattva of infinite happiness generated by helping countless numbers of sentient beings.

• Avalokitesvara

(Ch. 觀音　, Guan Yin, Jp. Kannon, Tib. Chenrezig) - The bodhisattva of compassion, the listener of the world's cries; the most universally acknowledged Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism. Known as Guan Yin in East Asia, Chenrezig in Tibet, and Migjid Janraisig in Mongolia.

• Ksitigarbha

(Ch. 地藏　, Di Zang, Jp. Jizo, Tib. Sai Nyingpo) - The bodhisattva of the Hell beings, or the bodhisattva of great vows.

• Mahasthamaprapta

(Ch. 大勢至, Da Shì Zhì, Jp. Seishi) - Represents the power of wisdom, seen on the left of Amitabha in Pure Land Buddhism.

• Maitreya

(Ch. 彌勒　, Mi Le Jp. Miroku) - The bodhisattva to be reborn and to become enlightened, thus succeeding Gautama Buddha in the future. Known for his benevolence.

• Manjusri

(Ch. 文殊　, Wen Shu, Jp. Monju, Tib. Jampal Yang) - Bodhisattva of keen awareness and wisdom.

• Nagarjuna

(Ch. 龍樹, Long Shu) - The founder of the Madhyamaka (Middle Path) school of Mahāyāna Buddhism.

• Niō

Two wrath-filled and muscular guardians of the Buddha, standing today at the entrance of many Buddhist temples in Japan and Korea under the appearance of frightening wrestler-like statues. They are manifestations of the Bodhisattva Vajrapani.

• Padmasambhava

(Ch. 蓮華生上師, Lianhuasheng Shang Shi, Tib. Padma Jungne or Guru Rinpoche) - Most associated with Tibetan Buddhism and Bhutanese Buddhism. The Nyingma school regards Padmasambhava as a second Buddha.

• Samantabhadra

(Ch. 普賢　, Pu Xian, Jp. Fugen, Tib. Kuntu Zangpo) - Represents the practice and meditation of all Buddhas.

• Sangharama

(Ch. 伽藍, Qie Lan) - Primarily worshipped in Chinese Buddhism, Sangharama refers to a group of devas who guard Buddhist monasteries and the faith, but the title is usually referring to the legendary Chinese military general Guan Yu, who became a Dharmapala through becoming a Buddhist and making vows.

• Shantideva

8th century scholar, wrote about Bodhisattvas.

• Skanda

(Ch. 韋馱, Wei Tuo) - A Dharmapala who guards the Dharma, with links to Vajrapani and is somewhat the direct forbear to Murugan, a Hindu deity. Primarily worshipped in Chinese Buddhism.

• Supushpachandra

Mentioned in Shantideva's A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way Of Life

• Suryavairocana

(Ch: 日光, Ri Guang, Jp: Nikkō) - One of two attendants of Bhaisajyaguru Buddha.

• Tara

(Ch. 度母, Du Mu) - Female bodhisattva, or set of bodhisattvas, in Tibetan Buddhism. She represents the virtues of success in work and achievements. Also a manifestation of Avalokitesvara.

• Vajrapani

(Ch. 金剛手, Jin Gang Shou, Jp.Shukongojin, Tib. Channa Dorje) - An early bodhisattva in Mahayana.

• Vasudhara

Bodhisattva of abundance and fertility. Popular in Nepal.