mahāsattva ［摩訶薩・大士］ (;  makasatsu or daishi): A great being. An honorific title for bodhisattvas. The “Simile and Parable” (third) chapter of the Lotus Sutra reads: “If there are living beings who hear the Law from the Buddha, the World-Honored One believe and accept it, and put forth diligent effort, seeking comprehensive wisdom, Buddha wisdom, wisdom that comes of itself, teacherless wisdom, the insight, powers, and freedom from fear of the Thus Come One, who pity and comfort countless living beings, bring benefit to heavenly and human beings, and save them all, they shall be called [those who ride] the great vehicle. Because the bodhisattvas seek this vehicle, they are called mahāsattvas.” The term mahāsattva often accompanies bodhisattva in Buddhist scriptures, in such expressions as “the bodhisattva mahā­sattva Manjushrī” and “the bodhisattvas mahāsattva who gathered from the lands of the other directions.”