Ancient Buddhist Records and Teachings
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva — The King of the Ten Great Vows
In traditional Buddhist teachings, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (普贤菩萨) is honored as the “King of the Ten Great Vows” (十大愿王), representing the highest expression of compassionate practice and sacred commitment.
The Lotus Sutra (妙法莲华经) states that those who sincerely honor and follow the teachings associated with Samantabhadra Bodhisattva may receive the compassionate protection and guidance of Samantabhadra together with other great Bodhisattvas, bringing a sense of spiritual reassurance and inner stability.
According to the Samantabhadra Life-Extension Sutra (普贤延命经), Samantabhadra Bodhisattva is traditionally associated with the blessing of longevity and the continuation of life. Within Buddhist symbolism, Samantabhadra represents virtue, noble conduct, great vows, and the embodiment of truth.
He guides practice through wisdom and realizes wisdom through practice. By uniting understanding with action, he represents the completion of the Bodhisattva path and the fulfillment of the aspirations of those seeking awakening.
For this reason, he is also respectfully called:
“The Great Practice Samantabhadra Bodhisattva”
(大行普贤菩萨)
Samantabhadra and Vajrasattva in Esoteric Buddhism
In the Japanese Shingon (True Word) Buddhist tradition, many practitioners believe that Vajrasattva (金刚萨埵), the guardian figure who protects the Buddhist teachings, is one manifestation of Mahāsattva Samantabhadra.
According to this tradition, the teachings of Esoteric Buddhism are believed to have originated through Vajrasattva.
Another interpretation within Buddhist traditions suggests that Vajrasattva may represent a manifestation of Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva (大势至菩萨) or another Buddha or Bodhisattva appearing in symbolic form.
The Great Vow of Samantabhadra in the Bei Hua Jing
According to the Bei Hua Jing (Sutra of Compassionate Lotus), when Amitabha Buddha was still a Universal Wheel-Turning King (Chakravartin), Samantabhadra Bodhisattva was known as the eighth prince, Mintu (泯图).
Before Buddha Baozang, Mintu made a profound vow:
He wished to cultivate the Bodhisattva path within worlds filled with difficulties and impurities, such as the human world described in Buddhist teachings, in order to guide and benefit sentient beings.
He further vowed to:
- Transform and adorn countless impure worlds, allowing them to become places of harmony and purity, like the “Pure World of Blue Fragrance Light Without Defilement”;
- Teach and guide countless Bodhisattvas, helping them cultivate a purified mind and enter the Mahayana path;
- Allow those who generate the great aspiration for awakening to gather within the worlds he would guide and transform.
Because of this vast aspiration, Buddha Baozang renamed Mintu as Samantabhadra, and gave him a prophecy of future awakening.
It was foretold that in the northern realm known as the “World of Pure Virtue and Benevolent Wisdom” (知水善净功德世界), he would eventually attain Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi (Supreme Perfect Enlightenment) and become the Buddha known as:
“Tathāgata King of Wisdom, Strength, Roaring Freedom and Radiant Form”
(智刚吼自在相王如来)
Samantabhadra in the Avatamsaka Tradition
The Sutra of the Inconceivable Realm of the Tathāgata (大方广如来不思议境界经) describes:
“At that time, countless Buddhas from other Buddha realms, as numerous as the dust particles of ten Buddha lands, appeared in the form of Bodhisattvas in order to adorn the assembly of Vairocana Buddha’s Dharma gathering.”
Among these great Bodhisattvas were:
- Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva (观自在菩萨)
- Manjusri Bodhisattva (文殊师利菩萨)
- Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (地藏菩萨)
- Akasagarbha Bodhisattva (虚空藏菩萨)
- Vajragarbha Bodhisattva (金刚藏菩萨)
- Vimalakirti Bodhisattva (维摩诘菩萨)
- Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (普贤菩萨)
and many other great Bodhisattvas.
The Name and Symbolism of Samantabhadra
The Sanskrit name of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva is:
Samantabhadra
(also known as Vishvabhadra)
Chinese transliterations include:
- Samanta Bhadra Bodhisattva (三曼多跋陀罗菩萨)
- Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (三曼陀菩萨)
He is also known as:
Puxian Bodhisattva (遍吉菩萨)
Samantabhadra is one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas of Chinese Buddhism, together with:
- Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva (观音菩萨)
- Manjusri Bodhisattva (文殊菩萨)
- Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (地藏菩萨)
Traditionally, Samantabhadra is regarded as an assistant to Shakyamuni Buddha, helping spread the teachings of Buddhism.
He is described as extending throughout the ten directions of the universe and is honored as a Dharma prince among the followers of the Buddhas.
Together with Shakyamuni Buddha and Manjusri Bodhisattva, he forms the Huayan Three Holy Ones (华严三圣).
The Chapter of Samantabhadra’s Vows states:
“Through the majestic power of Samantabhadra’s vows and practices, he appears before all Buddhas throughout the universe.”
It also states:
“Among the Buddhas of the ten directions, there is a foremost disciple, whose name is the Honored Samantabhadra.”
Traditional Buddhist teachings describe Samantabhadra as one who praises the limitless virtues of all Buddhas, practices supreme offerings, performs vast compassionate activities, and guides countless beings.
His wisdom and the depth of his vows are considered immeasurable, understood fully only by the Buddhas themselves.
The Avatamsaka Sutra — Entering the Realm of Reality
The Avatamsaka Sutra (大方广佛华严经), in the chapter “Entering the Dharma Realm” (入法界品), describes:
“At that time, Manjusri Bodhisattva taught this Dharma, guiding and benefiting Sudhana. Through these teachings, Sudhana attained countless Dharma gates, limitless wisdom and radiance, boundless Bodhisattva teachings, infinite vows, infinite states of meditation, infinite spiritual abilities, and limitless wisdom.”
Through this guidance, Sudhana entered the realm of Samantabhadra’s practice, arriving at the stage of profound Bodhisattva cultivation.
After completing this teaching, Manjusri Bodhisattva withdrew from appearance.
The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva
During the great Dharma assembly described in the Avatamsaka Sutra (Flower Ornament Sutra), Samantabhadra Bodhisattva Mahāsattva revealed the profound vows of practice known as the Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra.
These ten vows are:
1. To Respect and Honor All Buddhas
礼敬诸佛
To respectfully honor all Buddhas throughout the ten directions and three periods of time.
2. To Praise the Virtues of the Tathāgatas
称赞如来
To praise and acknowledge the infinite virtues and wisdom of all Buddhas.
3. To Practice Extensive Offerings
广修供养
To cultivate vast offerings with sincerity, compassion, and dedication.
4. To Repent and Transform Karmic Obstacles
忏悔业障
To reflect upon past actions, recognize obstacles created by karma, and cultivate transformation through sincere repentance.
5. To Rejoice in the Merits and Virtues of Others
随喜功德
To rejoice in the wholesome deeds and virtues cultivated by all beings.
6. To Request the Turning of the Dharma Wheel
请转法轮
To respectfully invite the Buddhas and teachers to continue sharing the Dharma teachings.
7. To Request the Buddhas to Remain in the World
请佛住世
To express the wish that enlightened teachers remain in the world for the benefit of sentient beings.
8. To Continuously Learn from the Buddhas
常随佛学
To follow the teachings and examples of the Buddhas through continuous practice.
9. To Harmoniously Follow and Benefit All Beings
恒顺众生
To respect, support, and compassionately respond to the needs of all beings.
10. To Dedicate All Merits Universally
普皆回向
To dedicate all accumulated virtues and merits toward the awakening and benefit of all beings.
Through these Ten Great Vows, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva teaches the path of dedicating one’s practice toward the realization of enlightenment.
In the traditional Pure Land Buddhist interpretation, these vows are also dedicated toward rebirth in the Western Pure Land, encouraging Sudhana (Shancai) and the assembly of practitioners within the Huayan tradition to walk this path together and aspire toward the completion of Buddhahood.
Zodiac Guardian Bodhisattva
The Guardian Bodhisattva of the Dragon and Snake Zodiac Signs
According to Chinese Buddhist tradition, people born under the Dragon (辰龙) and Snake (巳蛇) zodiac signs are associated with Samantabhadra Bodhisattva as their Personal Guardian Bodhisattva.
Samantabhadra symbolizes:
- Virtuous conduct and sacred practice;
- Great vows and compassionate action;
- The harmony between wisdom and practice.
He guides action through wisdom and realizes wisdom through action, representing the integration of understanding and practice on the path toward awakening.
The Sacred Birthday of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva
The traditional celebration of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva’s Birthday is observed on:
The 21st day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar.
Traditional Celebration Ceremony
Incense Offering Praise
“The incense of purity, concentration, and wisdom rises toward the heavens.
With sincere devotion, disciples offer incense upon the golden burner.
In an instant, its fragrance spreads throughout the ten directions.
May past difficulties be transformed and obstacles removed.”
Homage to the Bodhisattva of the Fragrant Cloud Canopy, the Great Being
(Recited three times)
Recitation of the Sacred Name
Homage to Mahāsattva Samantabhadra, the Great Practice Bodhisattva
(Recited three times)
The Dharani of the Wish-Fulfilling Jewel Wheel King
(如意宝轮王陀罗尼)
The traditional Sanskrit mantra is recited according to Buddhist ritual practice:
Namo Buddhaya.
Namo Dharmaya.
Namo Sanghaya.
Homage to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva Mahāsattva, the One Who Possesses Great Compassion.
(Traditional mantra text follows according to the Buddhist transmission.)
The root mantra, great heart mantra, and accompanying mantra are traditionally recited:
Fourteen times
The Heart Sutra Recitation
The ceremony concludes with the recitation of:
The Heart Sutra
(Prajñāpāramitā Hṛdaya Sūtra)
Translated during the Tang Dynasty by the renowned Buddhist monk Master Xuanzang (玄奘法师).
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