List of bodhisattvas

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, respected in Mongolian, Tibetan, Japanese and Chinese traditions.

List of bodhisattvas

* Akasagarbha (Ch. 虛空藏　, "Xu Kong Zang", Kr. "Huh Gong Zang", Jp. "Kokuzo") - The Bodhisattva of infinite happiness generated by helping countless numbers of sentient beings.
* Avalokitesvara (Ch. 觀音　, "Guan Yin", Kr. "Guan Um", 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", Kr. "Ji 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", Kr. "Dae Sae Zhi", Jp. "Seishi") - Represents the power of wisdom, seen on the left of Amitabha in Pure Land Buddhism.
* Maitreya (Ch. 彌勒　, "Mi Le", Kr. "Mi Ruk", 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", Kr. "Moon Soo", 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.
* NiōTwo 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", Kr. "Bo Hyun", Jp. "Fugen", Tib. "Kuntu Zangpo") - Represents the practice and meditation of all Buddhas.
* Sangharama (Ch. 伽藍, "Qie Lan") - Only revered in Chinese Buddhism-Taoism, Sangharama refer 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.
*Sitatapatra The goddess of the White Parasol and protector against supernatural danger.
* 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", Kr. "Il 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", Kr. "Kum Kang Soo", Jp."Shukongojin", Tib. "Channa Dorje") - An early bodhisattva in Mahayana.
*VasudharaBodhisattva of abundance and fertility. Popular in Nepal.