Bodhisattva

=== In Theravada ===
While the veneration of bodhisattvas is much more widespread and popular in the Mahayana Buddhist world, it is also found in Theravada Buddhist regions. Bodhisattvas which are venerated in Theravada lands include Natha Deviyo ([[Avalokiteśvara|Avalokiteshvara]]), [[Maitreya|Metteya]] (Maitreya), [[Upulvan]] (i.e. [[Vishnu]]), [[Saman (deity)|Saman]] (Samantabhadra) and [[Pattini]].<ref name=":17">Holt, John Clifford (1991). ''Buddha in the Crown: Avalokitesvara in the Buddhist Traditions of Sri Lanka'', pp. 53-55. Oxford University Press.</ref><ref name=":18">Obeyesekere, Gananath (1987). ''The Cult of the Goddess Pattini,'' pp. 60, 313. Motilal Banarsidass.</ref><ref>Holt, J. (2000). ''[https://arts.ucalgary.ca/sites/default/files/teams/2/CLARE/Numata%20Chair/2000_holt.pdf The Hindu Buddha and the Buddhist Visnu: Religious Transformations in Indian and Sri Lanka.]'' University of Calgary.</ref> The veneration of some of these figures may have been influenced by Mahayana Buddhism.<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":18" /> These figures are also understood as [[Deva (Buddhism)|devas]] that have converted to Buddhism and have sworn to protect it.<ref name=":18" />

The recounting of Jataka tales, which discuss the bodhisattva deeds of Gautama before his awakening, also remains a popular practice.<ref name=":17" />