Samantabhadra Bodhisattva: The Embodiment of Great Vows and Deeds in Mahayana Buddhism
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (普贤菩萨) is one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism and is often referred to as the “King of Vows.” Representing infinite great deeds and profound vows, he symbolizes the essence of Mahayana Bodhisattva practices. He is known as the "Great Action Samantabhadra Bodhisattva," a revered figure embodying wisdom, virtues, and compassion, alongside Manjushri Bodhisattva (文殊菩萨), who represents wisdom and virtue. Together with Vairocana Buddha(毗卢遮那如来), they form the “Three Saints of Huayan” (华严三圣).
For centuries, Samantabhadra has been among the most beloved Bodhisattvas in China and Southeast Asia. His vows are boundless, as vast as space itself, and his teachings encourage individuals to refrain from all evil and cultivate virtue. He represents the culmination of all Buddhas’ virtuous qualities and the ideal of the Mahayana Bodhisattva path.
The First Mention of Samantabhadra in China
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva was first introduced to China during the Western Jin dynasty (265-316 CE) when Nie Daozhen (聂道真) translated the Samanthabadra Bodhisattva Sutra (《三曼陀跋陀罗菩萨经》). His influence grew further when the great translator Kumarajiva (鸠摩罗什) rendered the Lotus Sutra (《妙法莲华经》) in the Yao Qin dynasty (384-417 CE). The final chapter of the Lotus Sutra, "Encouraging the Deeds of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva" (《普贤菩萨劝发品》), vividly depicts Samantabhadra riding a six-tusked white elephant and vowing to protect sentient beings. This image helped spread his reputation throughout China and East Asia, where he gained widespread devotion.
Samantabhadra's Vows and Symbolism in Mahayana Texts
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva’s name and vows are also found in the Sutra of the Buddha’s Name (《悲华经》), a text that recounts how the Bodhisattva made his vows countless aeons ago. The sutra describes an ancient time when a world called “Shantilan” (删提岚) existed, presided over by a Buddha named “Treasure Store Tathagata” (宝藏如来). During that time, a holy king named “Uncontentious Thought” (无诤念) had eight sons, including Avalokiteshvara (观世音菩萨), Mahasthamaprapta (大势至菩萨), and Manjushri Bodhisattva. The eighth prince, named “Mintu” (泯图), would later become known as Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. Before the Buddha, he vowed to practice the Bodhisattva path tirelessly and purify countless worlds, guiding sentient beings toward enlightenment.
In the Great Sun Sutra (《大日经疏》), Samantabhadra is described as embodying "universal virtue" (普贤). The name Samantabhadra, “普贤,” translates as “universal” (普) and “virtuous” (贤), reflecting his infinite deeds of body, speech, and mind that extend throughout the universe. His teachings are a model for Bodhisattvas to cultivate deep compassion and wisdom.
Samantabhadra’s Iconography: The Six-Tusked White Elephant
Samantabhadra’s symbolic white elephant with six tusks carries profound meaning. The six tusks represent the Six Perfections (六波罗蜜) or "Paramitas": generosity, morality, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom. The white elephant, a symbol of power and purity, represents the Bodhisattva's unstoppable resolve and virtue.
In the Samantabhadra Contemplation Sutra (《普贤观经》), the six tusks symbolize the Six Paramitas, while the four feet represent the Four Immeasurables (四无量心)—loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. His head is often depicted with three figures holding a vajra, wheel, and wish-fulfilling gem, symbolizing wisdom and spiritual attainment.
Mount Emei: The Sacred Home of Samantabhadra
Mount Emei, located in Sichuan Province, China, is one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains in China and is believed to be where Samantabhadra Bodhisattva manifests to teach and protect sentient beings. The name “Emei” (峨眉) comes from the resemblance of two peaks to delicate eyebrows. The mountain’s dramatic landscape has made it a revered pilgrimage site for devotees seeking the blessings of Samantabhadra.
Samantabhadra's Influence on Buddhist Practices and Symbols
Samantabhadra’s influence extends deeply into Buddhist practice. He is regarded as the embodiment of all virtues and merits in Mahayana Buddhism. In the Flower Garland Sutra (《华严经》), his “Samantabhadra practices” represent the Bodhisattva's boundless compassion. The text also highlights his close connection to Vairocana Buddha (毗卢遮那如来) and Manjushri Bodhisattva, representing the unity of wisdom and action.
The Avatamsaka Sutra (《华严经探玄记》) explains that Samantabhadra’s Samadhi is "free from limitations," paired with Manjushri’s prajna (wisdom), making them a complementary pair in the Bodhisattva’s path.
The Story of Shide: An Allegory of Buddhist Practice
Shide (拾得) is a fascinating figure in Chinese Chan (Zen) Buddhism, often portrayed as an eccentric but deeply enlightened monk. His story intertwines with that of his close friend, Hanshan (寒山), and together they are remembered for their unorthodox behavior, sharp wit, and profound spiritual insight. Shide is best known for his humble origins and seemingly mad actions, which concealed deep wisdom. Here is a more detailed account of Shide's life and story:
Discovery by Fenggan
Shide was first discovered as a young boy by the Chan master Fenggan (丰干禅师) of Guoqing Temple (国清寺) on Mount Tiantai (天台山). One day, while Fenggan was traveling through Chicheng Mountain (赤城山), he heard the cry of a child coming from a thicket. Upon investigating, he found a boy of about ten years old. When asked where he was from and what his name was, the boy replied that he had no home and didn’t know his name.
Fenggan, seeing something special in the boy, took him back to Guoqing Temple and named him “Shide,” meaning “found” or “picked up,” since he was essentially rescued. Shide began his life in the temple as a servant boy, working as a tea server in the kitchen, and as he grew, his responsibilities increased.
Shide’s Eccentric Behavior
As Shide matured, it became clear that he was no ordinary monk. He often displayed bizarre behavior, which caused some monks to question his sanity. For example, there is a famous incident where Shide was sitting cross-legged on the temple’s altar, facing a Buddha statue, and eating his food. He even went as far as to scold the nearby statues of Arhats (saintly monks), calling them “small saints with withered seeds.” This act was witnessed by a senior monk named Lingyi (灵熠禅师), who scolded Shide and stripped him of his duties.
Shide's unusual behavior continued in other ways. He would sometimes declare that he possessed a “bright pearl” (a metaphor for spiritual enlightenment) that was hidden in darkness, lamenting that no one could recognize its worth. His words and actions puzzled others, who often laughed at him, dismissing him as mad.
Friendship with Hanshan
Shide’s closest companion was Hanshan (寒山), a fellow eccentric who shared his unconventional lifestyle. Hanshan lived as a recluse on a nearby mountain, but the two were kindred spirits, often seen together in the kitchen of Guoqing Temple. Shide would collect leftover food from the kitchen, placing it in a bamboo tube, and then bring it to Hanshan, who appreciated the simple offering.
The two monks, known for their seemingly erratic behavior, were inseparable and often quoted cryptic verses or engaged in spontaneous debates about Buddhist philosophy. Their exchanges, often perceived as nonsensical by the monks around them, were actually profound expressions of Buddhist teachings.
Shide’s Miraculous Acts
There are several tales of Shide demonstrating supernatural powers, which further mystified the monks. One well-known story is about Shide chastising the temple’s guardian deities. When the temple kitchen was regularly disturbed by crows that would steal food, Shide became frustrated. He took a stick and went to the hall where the guardian deities were enshrined, striking their statues with his stick. He reprimanded them, saying they had failed in their duty to protect the temple from such disruptions.
That night, many monks at Guoqing Temple dreamed of the guardian deities coming to them, complaining about the beating they received from Shide. The next day, the monks inspected the guardian deity statues and were astonished to find visible marks from the beating. This incident further deepened the monks' understanding of Shide’s extraordinary abilities.
Shide’s Critique of Monastic Life
Shide’s unusual behavior also extended to his critique of the monastic order. One day, while the monks were gathered for a formal precept recitation, Shide passed by with a herd of cows and stopped to laugh at the assembly. He clapped his hands and mockingly said, “Here they are, the sentient beings caught in the endless cycle of birth and death, coming together for a meeting!”
The head monk of the temple, angered by Shide’s behavior, scolded him, accusing him of disturbing the solemn ceremony. Shide, however, responded with a sharp retort: “You all speak of keeping precepts, but the true precept is having no anger in the heart. A pure heart is the true monastic life. I am one with you in essence, yet you see a difference in form.”
The head monk, further enraged, tried to send Shide away, but Shide continued with his cryptic speech. He claimed that the cows he was tending were, in fact, the reincarnated souls of former monks who had broken their precepts in a previous life. Shide even called out the cows by name, attributing their identities to specific monks, shocking everyone present.
Shide and Hanshan’s Legacy
Despite their unorthodox behavior, Shide and Hanshan were revered as enlightened figures by those who understood the deeper meaning behind their actions. Their close friendship, simple lifestyle, and disregard for societal and monastic conventions embodied the Chan spirit of spontaneity and non-attachment. The poems attributed to Hanshan, which often reflect themes of impermanence and the foolishness of human ambition, are still celebrated today, and Shide is remembered as his playful, insightful counterpart.
Through the centuries, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva’s vows, deeds, and compassionate actions have continued to inspire followers on the Mahayana path. His image, often seen in Thangka art and jewelry, such as the Thangka Necklace, serves as a reminder of the universal virtue and boundless compassion central to Mahayana Buddhism.
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva represents the ultimate ideal of the Mahayana Bodhisattva, blending profound wisdom and compassionate action. His imagery, prominently featured in Thangka necklaces and other Buddhist jewelry, not only reflects rich Buddhist symbolism but also serves as a spiritual guide to those who seek the path of enlightenment.
