菩薩

• Reading: ぼさつ
• Romaji: bosatsu
• Kanji breakdown: 菩 (bo) — transliteration of Sanskrit bodhi | 薩 (satsu) — transliteration of Sanskrit sattva, being
• Pronunciation: /bo.sa.tsɯ/

Meaning

Bodhisattva; an enlightened being who delays nirvana out of compassion to guide others toward salvation.

In Mahayana Buddhism, a 菩薩 is a being who has attained enlightenment but chooses to remain in the cycle of existence to save all sentient beings. Famous bodhisattvas venerated in Japan include 観音菩薩 (Kannon/Guanyin, goddess of mercy) and 地蔵菩薩 (Jizō, protector of children and travellers). The term is also used colloquially to describe someone of saintly patience and kindness.

Examples

1. 観音菩薩は慈悲の象徴として、古くから日本人に深く信仰されてきた。 Kannon Bodhisattva has been deeply venerated by the Japanese people since ancient times as a symbol of compassion.
2. あの人はどんな無理難題にも怒らない。まるで菩薩のような人だ。 That person never gets angry no matter how unreasonable the demand. They are like a bodhisattva.
3. お寺の境内に安置された菩薩像は、長年にわたり参拝者を見守ってきた。 The bodhisattva statue enshrined in the temple grounds has watched over worshippers for many years.

Usage Guide

Context: Buddhism, religion, colloquial praise

Tone: reverent

Origin & History

From Sanskrit bodhisattva, transliterated into Chinese as 菩提薩埵 (bodhi = enlightenment, sattva = being), then abbreviated to 菩薩. Entered Japanese via Chinese Buddhist texts from the 6th century onward.

Cultural Context

Era: Asuka–Present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal