The highest spiritual ideal of the Theravada is the arhat (one who is worthy), who through his own effort and practice attains liberation. The early monastic Sangha was focused only on personal salvation, thinking about nirvana only in individual terms. The Mahayana put forth the ideal of the bodhisattva (bodhi, "awakened," sattva, "being"), who shares the fruits of his or her practice with all other beings. The bodhisattva is someone who, upon attaining enlightenment, vows to forgo entering nirvana until all other sentient beings—down to the very last blade of grass—are also liberated. This insight was very profound. Buddhism expressed in Mahayana terms is engaged, quite positive. and very beautiful.
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