Bodhisattwa

/ˌboʊdhɪˈsɑtvə/ noun

Definition

An alternate spelling of bodhisattva; in Buddhism, an enlightened being who foregoes nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment.

Etymology

Variant transliteration of Sanskrit bodhisattva using 'w' instead of 'v' to represent the final sound. This reflects different romanization conventions for Sanskrit texts in English.

Kelly Says

Different transliterations of Sanskrit words (like bodhisattva vs. bodhisattwa) show how translation creates multiple 'correct' spellings—a reminder that spelling is less important than understanding across cultures.

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