Major Figures In Buddhism - The Four Great Boddhisattvas

 By: ryan    9:04 AM  Buddhism   No comments

Usually in most Buddhist temples or monastery, these four great Bodhisattvas are surely to be found. Mainly in Mahayana and Vajrayana sect, because becoming a Bodhisattva is the goal in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. So what is Bodhisattva and who are them?

Bodhisattva is a human being committed to the attainment of enlightenment for the sake of others. In other words, before a person can be a Buddha or fully enlighten, he or she will goes through many lives as Bodhisattva to accumulate merits till the last birth, he will be the Buddha. (You may notice why I put He instead of She. When someone is going to be a Buddha, meaning the last birth, he/she will be rebirth as a He. This is because women suffers more in terms of having menstrual and giving births)

Among all of the Boddhisattvas, Boddhisattvas Avalokitesvara, Manjusri, Samanthabratha and Ksitigarbha are the Bodhisattvas most being the objects of devotion. So how to spot them? Here are their iconography

Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara
- most famous and well known compares to the other three Boddisattva. He is embodies with the great compassion and has made great vows to listen to the difficulties of all sentient beings.
-  always holding a vase
- Sutra associates : Heart Sutra, Lotus Sutra and The Great Compassion Mantra

Bodhisattva Manjusri
- He is embodies with the great and transcendent wisdom. He is consider the oldest and most significant Bodhisattva in history.
- He is always holding a sword with his right hand (cuts down ignorance and duality) while the left hand holding the sutra scroll (dharma)
- Normally seated on the left side of Buddha 
- Manjusri often riding a lion which representing he uses the wisdom to tame the mind.

Bodhisattva Samantabhadra
- He is embodies with the associates with Buddhist practice and meditation. The protector of Lotus Sutra.
- He is always carrying a lotus leaf and seated right to the Buddha
- He is riding an elephant with three pairs of tusks.
- Well known for his ten vows (view here)

Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha
- The only Bodhisattva in male and monk form.
- He is embodies with his great vows to take responsibilities for all beings (within the era between the death of Siddhartha till the rise of Maitreye).
- He vows for not to achieve Buddhahood until the hell are emptied.
- He always carries a staff to open the gates of hells and a fire-jewel to lighten the darkness.
- Usually this Bodhisatva will be in standing positions because he is always ready to help the needy.

Well now you will easily differentiate who's who. (The Bodhisattva is compassionate enough even if their name is wrongly called). Spot them during Wesak float procession or your next visit to Buddhist temple.