Shingon

Introduction to Shingon Buddhism -- 5

The Principle Buddhas and Bhodisattvas of Shingon

Shingon has many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Of these, there are 13 of special importance, that are the focus of belief and veneration. One of these, Mahavairocana, is the fundamental diety of Shingon, worshiped by all adherants at all temples. But many people pray to one or more of these other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and make them the focus of their devotions.

His fierce expression shows his unshakable determination to make all beings followers of the Buddha. Thus, despite his wrathful appearance, he symbolizes the compassion which desires to be of service to all.

Mantra of Acala

Mantra of Sakyamuni

Manjusri symbolizes the great wisdom that sees through mistaken ideas and rejects evil thoughts, ignorance and delusion. Mantra of :
Om a ra pa ca na. (English and Sanscrit)
(Japanese)

Mantra of Manjusri

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (Japanese Fugen Bosatsu): Bodhisattva of Universal Beauty
In his left hand, Samantabhadra hold a lotus. This represents the true nature of humans, which is pure and undefiled. He sometimes is shown on an elephant, which is powerful but gentle, symbolizing compassion.

Samantabhadra symbolizes compassion. He is associated with the Ten Vows that allow everyone to engage in pratices that allow all beings to achieve Buddhahood:

1. To respect all Buddhas

2. To praise the benevolence of all Buddhas

3. To refrain from doing evil

4. To make widespread offerings

5. To take delight in the virtues of all the Buddhas

6. To seek the teachings of all the Buddhas

7. To aspire to the eternal world of the Buddhas

8. To learn from the Buddhas

9. To give benefit to all living beings

10. To transfer merit to the Buddha world

Mantra of Samantabhadra

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Japanese Jizo Bosatsu): Bodhisattva of the Storehouse of the Earth
Ksitigarbha is shown with the shaven head of a monk. In his right hand he holds a priest's staff with six metal rings to awaken us from our deluded dreams. In his left hands he holds a mani jewel, representing the treasures that he bestows on all beings.

Ksitigarbha has six forms, each of which is devoted to helping beings in a different realm: hells, hungry ghosts, beasts, deamons, humans, and heavenly beings. Ksitigarbha never gives up, determined to save every single being in each of these realms.

Jizo, as Ksitigarbha is known in Japanese, is the most popular diety in Japan. Small statues of Jizo are placed at roadsides throughout the land, and these are the objects of daily devotion and offerings of food and drink. Jizo is now especially associated with saving the souls of children. Statues of this form of Jizo are often placed at temples, with statues representing children and unborn fetuses kneeling at his feet.

Mantra of Ksitigharba

Maitreya Bodhisattva (Japanese Miroku Bosatsu): the Benevolent Bodhisattva
Maitreya is usually shown holding a small stupa in both hands. This is a sarira, a reliquary holding cremated remains of Sakyamuni. In Shingon, this stupa represents Mahavairocana Buddha.

Maitreya Bodhisattva will be the Buddha of the future who will save the world. He is an expression of Compassion, and has vowed to save all beings in the world through the mind of Compassion.

Kobo Daishi is associated with Maitreya, he guarantees Maitreya's vow by being present in this world to grant salvation until the appearance of Maitreya.

Mantra of Maitreya:
Om Compassionate One svaha.
Om Maitreya svaha.(Sanscrit)
Om maitareiya sowaka. (Japanese)

Mantra of Maitreya

Bhaisajyaguru Buddha (Japanese Yakushi Nyorai): Medicine Master Buddha
His right hand forms the mudra for granting wishes, especially wishes for the attainment of vows. His left hand hold a medicine pot, in fulfillment of his vow to cure all physical and spiritual illnesses. The medicine pot is made of emerald. It cures by bathing the suffers in its radiance.

Bhaisajyaguru Buddha is lord of the Eastern Pure Land and grants benefits to believers during their current lifetimes.

Mantra of Bhaisajyaguru

Avalokitesvara (Japanese Kanzeon Bosatsu): The Bodhisattva of Hearing the Sounds of the World
His right hand holds a lotus representing Bodhicitta. His left hand makes the mudra of Fearlessness. He appears in many different forms, often with a feminine body. The seven most common forms of Avalokitesvara are:

Avalokitesvara has vowed to hear the voices of all people and all the sounds of the world and to immediately dispel evil and grant salvation. Avalokitesvara represents Compassion, and the forms with multiple hands and heads represent this Bodhisattva's compassionate desire to hear all suffering and use all skillful means to bring all beings to salvation.

Mantra of Avalokitesvara

Mahasthamaprapta Boddhisattva (Japanese Seishi Bosatsu): The Bodhisattva Who Proceeds With Vigor
In his left hand he often holds a lotus blossom representing our true nature, pure and unsullied. His right hand represents the vigorous energy that makes the flower bloom. He and Avalokitesvara are sometimes describes as the two attendants of Amida Buddha; Avalokitesvara representing Compassion, Mahasthamaprapta representing Wisdom.

Mahasthamaprapta uses the vigor of his wisdom to awaken the Buddha Wisdom and Buddha Nature that are in all of us.

Mantra of Mahasthamaprapta

Amitabha Tathagata (Japanese Amida Nyorai): Buddha of Infinite Life and Light
Amitabha sits in the lotus position on a jeweled lotus. He wears a red robe with both shoulders covered. His hands rest in his lap, his right hand resting on his left, with the tips of his thumbs touching and the ends of his first two fingers turned up, forming two circles. This is called the Samadhi mudra.

Amitabha vowed to all beings, even those who have committed serious transgressions. This vow prompted Shinran Shonin, the founder of the True Pure Land school of Buddhism, to write, "The good person will be reborm; how much more so the evil person." This belief in the power of Amitabha to save eveyrone, no matter what their faults, gave rise to the Pur eLand and True Pure Land sects and to the pratice of nembutsu, the chanting of the sentance, "Namu Amida Butsu," "I venerate Amida Buddha," as a way to achieve salvation.

Amitabha rules the Western Paradise, where souls are reborn, and can easily achieve enlightenment.

Mantra of Amitabha

Akshobya Tathagata (Japanese Ashuku Nyorai): The Immoveable Buddha

His left hand is clinched tightly in a fist and rests on his waist. This represents the strength and firmness of true Bodhicitta. His right hand hangs down near his knee, the fingertips touching the earth. This represents the ability to put down all defilements of mind.

Aksahobya is the ruler of the Land of Extreme Bliss, located in the East. Every morning as the sun rises he works to makes people aspire towards enlightenment with unshakable faith.

Mantra of Akshobya

Akasagharba Bodhisattva (Japanese Kokuzo Bosatsu: Space Storehouse (or Womb) Bodhisattva)
His right hand hold the sharp sword of Wisdom. His left holds a wish-granting gem, showing that he bestows blessings on all beings.

Akasagharba is the object of worship of a Shingon ritual called Gumonji. It involves the a strict regimen of chanting, fasting, and ritual, reciting the mantra of Akasagharba one million times. Kobo Daishi performed this ritual as part of his early effots to achieve a true understanding of Buddhism. The practice is still performed by Shingon priests who wish to discipline themselves as aprt of their quest for enlightenment.

Mantra of Akasagharba