Final answer:
In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is someone who aims to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings and deliberately chooses to stay in samsara to assist others.
Step-by-step explanation:
Difference Between a Bodhisattva and an Arhat
The terms bodhisattva and arhat are both significant in Buddhism but entail different paths and commitments towards the attainment of enlightenment.
A bodhisattva is someone who has generated a spontaneous wish and a compassionate mind to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings.
They refrain from entering nirvana despite having reached enlightenment, deciding instead to remain in the cycle of birth and death (samsara) until all beings are saved. For example, Maitreya, depicted in historical Buddhist scriptures, is a bodhisattva waiting to become a Buddha to teach the dharma.
On the other hand, an arhat is a person who has achieved enlightenment as well and has thereby liberated themselves from the cycle of samsara.
However, unlike bodhisattvas, arhats do not necessarily take vows to postpone their own entrance into nirvana to help others to achieve enlightenment. Their path focuses on personal liberation rather than the universal salvation emphasized by bodhisattvas.
The two paths thus reflect different ideal responses to suffering: bodhisattvas aim for universal salvation, while arhats for personal liberation.
Both paths, however, are deeply rooted in the key Buddhist doctrines, such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which are guides to leading a moral life and achieving liberation from suffering.