bodhicitta; aspiration for enlightenment; aspiration for Buddhahood
A Buddhist term referring to the mind that aspires to attain enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings. Used in Mahayana contexts.
Bodhisattvas arouse bodhicitta and devote themselves to practice.
From Sanskrit bodhicitta, via Chinese 菩提心 (pútíxīn). 菩提 (bodhi, 'enlightenment') + 心 (citta, 'mind').