The Bodhisattva ideal

Mighty Bodhisattva Warriors

The Bodhisattva is the mightiest of warriors, but his enemies are not the common foes of flesh and bone.

His fight is with inner delusions, the afflictions of self-cherishing and ego grasping, those most terrible of demons that catch living beings in the snare of confusion and cause them forever to wander in pain, frustration, and sorrow.

His mission is to harm ignorance and delusion, never living beings; these he looks upon with kindness, patience, and empathy, cherishing them like a mother cherishes her only child.

He is the real hero, calmly facing any hardship in order to bring happiness and liberation to the world.

— The 13th Dalai Lama

"May I be an island for those who seek one
And a lamp for those desiring light,
May I be a bed for all who wish to rest
And a slave for all who want a slave."
Śântideva : A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life, III:19.

The Bodhisattva, "bodhi-being" or "enlightenment being", the ideal of the Mahâyâna , seeks Buddhahood for the sake of the enlightenment of all sentient beings or Bodhicitta.

The Bodhisattva practices the perfect virtues ("pâramitâ") or Six Perfections. The sole intent for his or her skillful methods & actions is compassion supported by the wisdom realizing emptiness.

The Bodhisattva provides active help, and is ready to take the suffering of others upon himself, transferring merit to other beings. To be able to really benefit as many sentient beings as possible, he or she wants to attain full enlightenment, awakening or Buddhahood.