Material: Embroidered brocade thangka - Samantabhadra

Size: Approximately 70 x 75 cm

Description:

The influence and status of Samantabhadra in Tibetan Buddhism

Samantabhadra (Tibetan: ཀུན་ཏུ་བཟང་པོ, Kun-tu bzang-po, Sanskrit: Samantabhadra) has a very high status in Tibetan Buddhism and is regarded as a symbol of the wisdom and great deeds of all Buddhas. Together with Manjushri (wisdom) and Vajrapani (power), he constitutes the "Three Protectors" and is one of the important deities in Tibetan Buddhism. Samantabhadra represents the "Samantabhadra's vows", that is, the boundless vows and merits of the Bodhisattva, especially the "Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra" he made in the "Avatamsaka Sutra", which has a profound influence on the practice of Tibetan Buddhism.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Samantabhadra is not only a separate deity, but also appears in the form of "Samantabhadra Tathagata" or "Vajradhara", especially in the Nyingma school, where he is regarded as the original Buddha (Adi Buddha, Tibetan: Kun-tu bzang-po), symbolizing the original purity and ultimate wisdom of the universe. This status makes him play a central role in the teachings and rituals of Tibetan Buddhism, especially in the Dzogchen teachings, where Samantabhadra Tathagata is considered the root Buddha who teaches the Dzogchen teachings.

The image of Samantabhadra in Tibetan Buddhism is usually blue or white, naked and unadorned, symbolizing the pure and immaculate nature. He often enters into meditation in pairs with Samantabhadri (Tibetan: Kun-tu bzang-mo), symbolizing the union of wisdom and emptiness. This double-body image is particularly important in Tantra, reflecting the Tibetan Buddhist philosophy of transcending duality.

The influence of Samantabhadra is also reflected in the art and culture of Tibetan Buddhism. His thangka image often appears in temples and places of practice as an object of meditation and observation for practitioners. In addition, his ten great vows are widely used in daily prayers and vow ceremonies, emphasizing the bodhisattva practices such as giving, keeping precepts, and forbearance, becoming a guide for Tibetan Buddhists to practice.

Mythology and Origin of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva

The myth of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva mainly originates from Mahayana Buddhist scriptures, especially the Avatamsaka Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, and is further enriched and deepened in Tibetan Buddhism. The following are his main mythological origins:

1. ** Samantabhadra's Vows in the Avatamsaka Sutra**:

- In the Avatamsaka Sutra, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva is an important bodhisattva in the Huazang World, assisting Vairocana Buddha together with Manjusri Bodhisattva. He is famous for his "Ten Great Vows", including paying homage to all Buddhas, praising the Tathagata, making extensive offerings, repenting of karma, and rejoicing in merits, etc. These vows have become the core guide for Mahayana Buddhists to practice.

- In mythology, Samantabhadra rides a white elephant, symbolizing his great aspiration and compassion, which can carry sentient beings to the path of Buddhahood. His image is often compared with Manjusri (lion mount), symbolizing the mutual complementation of wisdom and aspiration.

2. **Samantabhadra Tathagata in Tibetan Buddhism**:

- In the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva is promoted to "Samantabhadra Tathagata" and is regarded as the original Buddha of the universe. He is not the historical Sakyamuni Buddha, but the Dharmakaya Buddha who transcends time and space, representing the original purity of all phenomena.

- According to the legend of the Nyingma school, Samantabhadra Tathagata appeared in the Dharma Realm as his own nature before the beginningless kalpa, and taught the Great Perfection teachings to the Five Buddhas and other Buddhas. Later, these teachings were introduced to the human world through ancestors such as Padmasambhava. The dual-cultivation image of Samantabhadra Tathagata and Samantabhadra Buddha Mother symbolizes the perfect fusion of wisdom and compassion in the Dharma Realm.

3. **The incarnations and legends of Samantabhadra**:

- In Tibetan Buddhist mythology, Samantabhadra is believed to have incarnated many times to save sentient beings. For example, he may appear in different forms in the Pure Land of Buddhas or in the human world to guide sentient beings in their practice. His incarnation stories are often related to the display of compassion and wisdom, such as using Bodhisattva practices to influence evil people or saving suffering sentient beings with supernatural powers.

- In some legends, Samantabhadra is also associated with Mount Wutai (the dojo of Manjushri Bodhisattva). Although his main dojo is considered to be Mount Emei in Sichuan in Chinese Buddhism, in Tibetan Buddhism, his influence is more extensive, covering all the Pure Lands of Buddhas.

4. **Symbolism in Tantric Buddhism**:

- In Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, the image and mantra of Samantabhadra (such as "Om Ah Hum") are used in meditation and rituals, especially in the practice of purifying karma and opening up primordial wisdom. His blue body and naked image symbolize the immaculate Dharmakaya, inspiring practitioners to transcend worldly attachments and realize the original purity.

Summary

In Tibetan Buddhism, Samantabhadra is not only the representative of Mahayana Bodhisattvas, but also the supreme primordial Buddha "Samantabhadra Tathagata" in the Nyingma school, symbolizing the fundamental purity and wisdom of the universe. His ten great vows have influenced the practice of Tibetan Buddhism, and his mythology has evolved from the image of a Bodhisattva in the Avatamsaka Sutra to the Dharmakaya Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism that transcends time and space. His dual-body image and the inheritance of the Great Perfection teachings have given him a unique and lofty position in the philosophy, art, and rituals of Tibetan Buddhism.