noun
or bod·dhi·satt·va ˌbōdə̇ˈsatwə ; also bo·dhi·satta -tə
( -s )
Etymology: Sanskrit bodhisattva one whose essence is enlightenment, from bodhi enlightenment + sattva being, essence — more at sattva
Buddhism : a being that compassionately refrains from entering nirvana in order to save others : a future Buddha ; specifically : one worshiped as a deity in Mahayana Buddhism