The Complete Book of Buddhist Buddhas and Bodhisattvas' Great Compassion Forms and Sacred Mantras - Shakyamuni Buddha · Medicine Buddha · Guanyin · Ksitigarbha · Manjushri · Green Tara
A comprehensive collection of the eighteen great Buddhist Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, wealth deities, and Vajra protectors: Shakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata, Thousand-Hand Guanyin, Ksitigarbha King of Great Vows, Manjushri of Great Wisdom, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Tara, and Yellow Jambhala. Explore the original vows of Buddhist scriptures, mantra mandalas, and methods of merit cultivation.
Buddhas of the Three Times and the Wisdom of the Dharma Realm's Essential Nature
Lord of the Saha World and Original Teacher of Enlightenment
Original Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha (Lord Shakyamuni)
ŚākyamuniEarth-touching mudra to subdue demons, seated peacefully on the Vajra seat of Bodhi, realizing dependent origination and emptiness, opening the source of the true Dharma in the Saha World.
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Lord of the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss
Amitabha Buddha
AmitābhaImmeasurable Light and Immeasurable Life; both hands form the meditation mudra and hold a nectar bowl, and he made forty-eight great vows to guide sentient beings of the ten directions who recite the Buddha's name to be reborn in the Pure Land.
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Lord of the Eastern Pure Lapis Lazuli World
Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata (Medicine Buddha)
BhaiṣajyaguruWith a lapis lazuli azure body, holding a myrobalan medicine branch in the right hand and a nectar medicine bowl in the left, he made twelve great vows to relieve sentient beings' physical and mental suffering.
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Central Dharmakaya Buddha among the Five Dhyani Buddhas of Esoteric Buddhism
Mahavairocana Vairochana Buddha (Vairochana)
VairocanaManifested from the wisdom of the essential nature of the Dharmadhatu, forming the Dharmachakra mudra, as the source Dharmakaya of all Tathagatas, illuminating the great trichiliocosm without obstruction.
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Great Compassion Bodhisattvas and the Mother of All Buddhas
Bodhisattva of Great Compassion and Mercy Who Saves Beings from Suffering and Peril
Guanyin Bodhisattva (Avalokiteshvara)
AvalokiteśvaraHears cries and relieves suffering; answers every prayer in a thousand places; holds a pure vase and willow branch; manifests in thirty-two responsive forms to deliver countless sentient beings.
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Foremost Dharma Prince of Great Wisdom and Insight
Manjushri Bodhisattva (Manjushri)
MañjuśrīBody like gold, wielding a flaming sword of wisdom, holding a blue lotus and sutra scroll, riding a blue-haired lion, cutting off all ignorance and afflictions.
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Foremost Bodhisattva of Great Practice and Great Vows
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (Samantabhadra)
SamantabhadraRiding a six-tusked white elephant and holding the wish-fulfilling auspicious lotus, he made the Ten Great Vows to guide beings back to Ultimate Bliss; he is a symbol of supreme practical power and great practice.
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Lord of the Netherworld Who Removes Sins through Great Vows
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Ksitigarbha)
KṣitigarbhaHolding a tin staff, he breaks open the gates of hell; a bright pearl illuminates the darkness of the great chiliocosm. 'Until hell is empty, I vow not to attain Buddhahood'—his supreme vow of filial piety and compassion.
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Bodhisattva of Great Diligence, Wisdom, and Divine Power
Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva (Mahasthamaprapta)
MahāsthāmaprāptaA jeweled vase atop his head gathers the light of wisdom; when he lifts his foot, it shakes the three thousand great thousand worlds; with the mind of Buddha-recollection, he naturally attains the opening of the mind and enters samādhi.
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Future Buddha of the One-Life-Dedicated Stage
Maitreya Bodhisattva (Maitreya)
MaitreyaResides in the Inner Court of Tushita, cultivates the Consciousness-Only samadhi of loving-kindness; his big belly can tolerate what the world finds hard to tolerate, and his ever-smiling face welcomes the vast chiliocosm.
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Swift Savioress of All Buddhas' Activities
Green Tara
ŚyāmatārāWith an emerald-green sacred countenance, her right foot extended downward, ever ready to come to the rescue, holding a blue lotus, she specializes in saving beings from the sixteen great perils and urgent crises, including the perils of lions, elephants, and fire.
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Holy Mother Deity Who Extends Life and Removes Obstacles
White Tara
SītātārāHer skin is white as the autumn moon; with seven eyes in total—two eyes plus the brow center, palms, and soles—she perceives all suffering and grants deathless longevity and wisdom.
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Great Holy Honored One, Mother of Seven Koṭi Buddhas
Cundi Bodhisattva
CundīWith three eyes and eighteen arms, each holding a ritual implement or precious seal, seated upright on a jeweled throne upheld by the dragon king of the lotus pond, majestic yet benevolent, perfectly blending exoteric and esoteric teachings.
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Demon-Subduing Vidyarajas, Vajra Protectors, and Wealth Deities
Great Dharani of the Power of All Buddhas
Vajrapani Bodhisattva (Vajrapani)
VajrapāṇiDeep blue and fierce, with wrathful vajra eyes, he raises in his right hand a five-pronged blazing vajra, trampling all demons and evil spirits to dust, representing the indestructible divine power of all Buddhas.
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Chief of the Five Jambhalas
Yellow Jambhala
JambhalaGolden-yellow in body, his right foot steps on a conch and a precious jewel, his left arm holds a treasure-spitting mongoose; treasures gush forth like rain. He is the supreme leader of the five Jambhalas of Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism.
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Wrathful Subduer of Demons of Mahavairocana
Acala / Fudo Myoo
AcalaSeated amid flames on a rock, his right hand holds the Kurikara Dragon Sword, his left holds a vajra noose; grinding his teeth and glaring angrily, he vows never to retreat until he subdues all heavenly demons.
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Great Invisible Heavenly Worthy of the Bright Sun
Marici Bodhisattva (Marici)
MārīcīGolden chariot with seven pigs, majestically standing before the sun disc, able to hide behind sunlight; no one can see, no one can bind, no one can harm.
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Great General of the True Dharma, Responsive Across the Three Continents
Skanda Bodhisattva
SkandaGolden helmet and golden armor, divine weapon and precious vajra, standing behind the monastery's Hall of Heavenly Kings. Responsive across the three continents, his might overawes evil demons, who prostrate and submit.
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Buddhist Essential Teachings and Practice Fundamentals
What is the fundamental difference between Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma-protecting deities?
A Buddha is one who has attained perfect liberation; a Bodhisattva is an awakened being who does not depart from the world and universally benefits sentient beings; a Dharma-protecting Wisdom King manifests a fierce form, protecting practitioners from Mara's obstacles and the afflictions of laziness and bad habits. All three are emanations of different aspects of self-nature awakening.
How can daily practice resonate with the energy frequency of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas?
Through seated meditation, chanting holy names and mantra mandalas (Mantra), and, in conjunction with doing one good deed a day, recording merit and virtue in the YuanYu merit journal, one aligns one's words and actions with the compassionate great vows of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and can thereby receive pure blessings and protection.