32.5"x23" "Buddha Samantabhadra or Kuntuzangpo" Buddhist Tibetan Thangka Scroll Painting

Samantabhadra - The Great Bodhisattva

Samantabhadra is a great Bodhisattva; one of the principal Bodhisattvas, the other being Manjushri; they are two subordinates of the Tathagata (or Dhyani Buddha) Vairochana, and known as the Triple Saints of the Avatmasaka Sutra. Samanta means general or universal; Bhadra means sage; and Samantabhadra, which is derived from these words, means the principle of universal love or compassion. Samantabhadra is also known as the Bodhisattva of Great Activity. Samantabhadra is also known as the Universally worthy Bdhisattva, is one of Three Venerables of the Lord Buddha Shakyamuni. He is always on the right side of the Buddha Shakyamuni, representing the guardian of the law, the lord of the law and the practice of all Buddhas. SamantaBhadra usually reposes with dignity on a six-tusked white elephant, while Bodhisattva Manjushri rides on a lion. He holds a sword indicating that the Law is the basis of wisdom. Samantabhadra is the patron of the lotus Sutra and its devotees, and has close connection with the Avatamasaka Sutra. Samantabhadra is assigned his universe in the East. In China, people worship Samantabhadra as the object of pilgrimage in E-mei Shan (mountain), which is regarded as his dwelling place. Samantabhadra is a Great Bodhisattva of the Tenth Stage, with the particular quality representing cultivation and practice. He is one of the Four Great Buddhasattvas; the Bodhisattva of Great Conduct. He has the Ten Great Vows, which are the scope of practices in Buddhism (Refer to the Ten Great Vows). Regarding his past history, he was said to be born by being transformed from a lotus of the seven gems by means of his wisdom.