Question

What role does a bodhisattva play in Budhism?

Answer 1

Mahāyāna Buddhism encourages everyone to become bodhisattvas and to take the bodhisattva vows.  A bodhisattva is one who has a determination to free sentient beings from samsara and its cycle of death, rebirth and suffering.

Answer 2

The word bodhisattva means "enlightenment being." Very simply,bodhisattvas are beings who work for the enlightenment of all beings, not just themselves. They vow not to enter Nirvana until all beings enter Nirvana together. The bodhisattva is the ideal of all Mahayana Buddhists.