The components of the term explains. Bodhi refers to "enlightenment" and Satta means "devoted to".
As such, this term can generally be used to refer to someone who is striving for enlightenment.
In a focused sense, a Bodhisatta is someone who will eventually become a Buddha.
The key characteristic of a Bodhisatta is that he/she wants the welfare and good of all satient beings in the world. Compassion is one of the great qualities embodied in him/her.
Just as a mother who would protect and provide for the well-being of her own child, a Bodhisatta, may in certain cases sacrifice his own life in order to save others from misery. A Bodhisatta is selfless.
1 Generosity
2 Morality
3 Renunciation
4 Wisdom
5 Energy
6 Patience
7 Truthfulness
8 Determination
9 Loving-kindness
10 Equanimity
One of the most well known Bodhisattva in the Mahayana tradition is Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, also known as Kuan Yin in Chinese, and some people called him the Goddess of Mercy.
Note that I use "him" in the previous sentence. For a cultivated state of mind which has achieved wisdom or enlightenment, gender becomes not relevant anymore; it is a state of mind. The reason why the Goddess of Mercy is called is that Avalokitesvara has in the past known to manisfest in female form (e.g. a motherly manifestation, as can be seen from drawings/portraits worldwide) in the course of saving satient beings.
Lastly, it should be noted that Bodhisatta is not a 'proprietary' idea of Buddhism. In a broad sense, we can find Bodhisattas around us in our daily lives, e.g. those individuals full of energy to serve the elderly and the sick. The late Mother Teresa is an example of a person who practiced the Bodhisatta ideal.
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