The etymological meaning of the Tibetan term for bodhicitta, sem kye, is "to enhance one's courage or mental attitude." Therefore, bodhicitta is an altruistic state of mind that aspires to attain the completely enlightened state for the benfit of all other sentient beings.

His Holiness The Dalai Lama, The Path to Bliss by His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Christine Cox, editor