One can come across the ideals of Boddhisattva in the Jataka tales, which speak of the previous divine births of Gautama Buddha. Special emphasis has been given to the ideals and paradigms of Boddhisattva in the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. This has led to the establishment of the ideals of Boddhisattva as the ideals of humanism.

Acharya Pragnyakar mati has mentioned the meaning of the word Boddhisattva in the book Bodhicharyavtaar.

BAUDHO JNANE SATVAM ABHIPRAYO ASYETI BODHISATVA||

Bodhi fundamentally means attainment of knowledge of the ultimate, eternal, unchanging truth (Parmarth Jnana), that itself is Boddhisattva.

Mahakaruna (Total compassion) has been ascribed a lot of importance in the Bodhi Karak religion. It has as a result emerged as the (Prathamcharya) primary feature of the Bodhisattva.