Bodhisattva literally means one who is conscious of other living beings, aware of their joy and suffering. The Bodhisattva is a ‘potential Buddha in training’, embarking on a long journey of cultivating supreme compassion and wisdom. Through benevolent service to living beings and learning from keen observation, a Bodhisattva will one day attain perfect enlightenment and become a Buddha. A Bodhisattva vows to put helping others ahead of his or her own liberation from the cycles of birth and death. Anyone who has this aspiration and practices the Six Paramitas can become a Bodhisattva.