| − | In [[Buddhism]], a '''bodhisattva''' is an enlightened person who delays nirvana in order to help others reach Nirvana. [[Mahayana]] and [[Theravada]] Buddhism have different attitudes towards bodhisattvas. In the Theravada tradition, a person can achieve complete enlightenment as an individual without becoming a bodhisattva. In contrast, Mahayana take a dim view of such individuals and argue that in order to achieve true and complete Nirvana, one must become a bodhisattva. | + | In [[Buddhism]], a '''bodhisattva''' is an enlightened person who delays reaching [[Nirvana]] in order to help others reach Nirvana. [[Mahayana]] and [[Theravada]] Buddhism have different attitudes towards bodhisattvas. In the Theravada tradition, a person can achieve complete enlightenment as an individual without becoming a bodhisattva. In contrast, Mahayana take a dim view of such individuals and argue that in order to achieve true and complete Nirvana, one must become a bodhisattva. |