WIKIPEDIA:

In Buddhist thought, a bodhisattva (Sanskrit) or bodhisatta (Pali) Thai: โพธิสัตว์ phothisat) is a being who is dedicated to attaining Nirvana. Bodhisattva literally means "enlightenment ('bodhi') being ('sattva')" in Sanskrit; it also refers to the Buddha himself in his previous lives.

In Mahayana philosophy, Bodhisattvas take an extra vow of not attaining Enlightenment (Nirvana) before all sentient beings have achieved complete Buddhahood. This is not present in Theravada philosophy, where indeed the majority of Enlightened Beings are Arahants, not Buddhas.

The meaning of Bodhisatta in the Pali Canon and the Theravada tradition does not imply that a Bodhisatta made the vow not to become enlightened until everybody else is enlightened: this is a Mahayana innovation. Therefore, the 'Bodhisatta' and the 'Bodhisattva' are quite different in nature.

The Bodhisattva is honored in many famous artworks, including one of the highest sculptures of the Bodhisattva at the Chinese Puning Temple, built in 1755.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramita

Pāramitā or Pāramī (Sanskrit and Pāli respectively): "Perfection" or "Transcendent". In Buddhism & Jainism, the Paramitas refer to the perfection or culmination of certain practices. These practices are cultivated by Bodhisattvas for crossing from sensuous life (Samsara) to Enlightenment (Nirvana). In the Mahayana tradition, bodhisattva is understood specifically as referring to those following the path to full Buddhahood only, and the perfections as a standard formulation of their practice. In the Theravada tradition, the perfections are required to attain even ordinary arahantship, and so are to be practised by everyone. However, Mahayana urges everyone to follow the path to full Buddhahood, so the end result is the same.

Post Edited (PotOnWheel) : 6/8/2007 11:38:12 AM (GMT-5)

Something that DOES have to do with my salvation:

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/d/a/daybyday.htm

Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day, the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
He Whose Name is Counselor and Power;
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
Ever to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.