Ksitigarbha – the Bodhisattva Who Saves
Standing Ksitigarbha (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Ksitigarbha, Buddha Amitabha and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Standing Ksitigarbha (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Dizangwang Pusa (Chinese)
Ksitigrabha is widely worshipped in East Asian Buddhism in the form of a Mahayana Buddhist monk. His name Kṣitigarbha literally means ‘Earth-store’, ‘Earth Treasury’ or ‘Earth Womb’. He is widely known for his incredible vow to liberate all sentient beings in the six realms between the time of the current Buddha Shakyamuni and the coming of the future Buddha Maitreya, as well as his vow not to achieve Buddhahood until all hells are emptied. That is why he is often regarded as the Bodhisattva of suffering hell-denizens. In Japanese Buddhism, he is also known as the guardian of children as well as the patron deity of deceased children and aborted foetuses. He is commonly depicted in East Asian Buddhism as a fully ordained monk with a halo around his shaved head and carries a monk’s staff to force open the gates of hells, and a wish-fulfilling jewel.
Deity: Buddha Amitabha (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Amituofo (Chinese)
Amitabha practice is very strong both in Tibet and China. In China there are many schools of Amitabha practice and the practice is known to be very efficacious. Chinese Buddhists, when meeting or parting with another person will salute each other by saying ‘Namo Amituofo’ which means ‘Praise to Amitabha’. This is to constantly recognise the inherent nature of Amitabha in all beings they encounter. Buddha mentioned clearly all of us have the seed of enlightenment and we have to recognise this. Reciting the sutra and mantra of Amitabha diligently with great faith combined with certain layman’s vows will create the causes of taking birth in what is known as the ‘Western Paradise’ of Amitabha. Practitioners of this path are said to have no fear at the time of death as Amitabha with an entourage will escort the practitioner personally to his pure land.
Deity: Dorje Shugden (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Vajra Rudra (Sanskrit)
Dorje Shugden is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri. He took the form of a Dharma Protector in order to safeguard the Buddha’s teachings, especially the important teachings on the Middle Way View. Reminiscent of Manjushri’s form, Dorje Shugden carries a meandering sword and rides a snowlion that represents the fearlessness of a fully enlightened Buddha. Thus, he has great strength to overcome obstacles of the body, speech and mind, and create suitable conditions for our spiritual practice to flourish. Furthermore, he carries a jewel-spitting mongoose and a vajra hook to symbolise that he has the tremendous ability to bestow wealth and resources.
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Wow……beautiful rime thangka of Ksitigarbha, Buddha Amitabha and Dorje Shugden. Ksitigarbha is a transcendent bodhisattva of Mahayana Buddhism and is usually depicted as a Buddhist monk. Also known for his vow to take responsibility for the instruction of all beings in the six worlds between the death of Gautama Buddha and the rise of Maitreya, as well as his vow not to achieve Buddhahood until all hells are emptied.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing, a beautiful thangka to have in our home.