EIGHT GREAT BODHISATTVAS ((è-/7Ü-r<-/{+-)

Eight Great Bodhisattvas, or Eight Close Sons (Skt., ashta utaputra) — the main bodhisattvas in the retinue of Buddha Shakyamuni are:

 Manjushri  Avalokiteshvara  Vajrapani  Maitreya  Kshitigarbha  Akashagarbha  Sarvanivaranavishkambhin  Samantabhadra

Each Bodhisattva fulfils a particular role to help beings. Symbolically they represent the pure state of the eight qualities.

Qualities of the Eight Bodhisattvas

Although the Eight Bodhisattvas or close sons of the Buddha all possess the same qualities and powers, each one displays perfection in a particular area or activity.

Bodhisattva Quality-Power Manjushri embodies Wisdom Avalokiteshvara embodies Compassion Vajrapani represents Power Maitreya embodies Love Kshitigarbha increases Richness & Fertility of the Land Akashagarbha possesses Perfect Ability to Purify Transgressions Sarvanivaranavishkambhin purifies Wrong-Doing & Obstructions Samantabhadra displays Special Expertise In Making Offerings & Aspirational Prayers

Eight Great Bodhisattvas Personify Qualities of the Buddha Among the immeasurable qualities of the Buddha, eight of his foremost qualities manifest as the Eight Bodhisattvas:

Personification of Buddha’s: Great Bodhisattva Wisdom is Manjushrī Compassion is Avalokiteshvara Power or Capacity is Vajrapani Activity is Maitreya Merit arises as Kshitigarbha Blessings arises as Akashagarbha Qualities appears as Sarvanivaranavishkambhin Aspirations / Prayers manifests as Samantabhadra

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Three Types of Faith

1. lucid faith / faith of clarity 2. faith of conviction 3. faith which is a wish to attain / aspiring faith the Four Children

1. Hearer / Shravaka 2. Solitary Realizer / Pratyeka Buddha 3. Bodhisattva 4. Buddha the Three Mothers

1. Knower of Bases – Arya Path of Hinayana type 2. Knower of Paths – Arya Path of Mahayana type 3. Exalted Knower of All Aspects – Omniscient Mental Consciousness in the continuum of a Buddha

Meaning of the Ornament of Clear Realization Homage Explained by way of the Three: Support (the Four Children), Method (the Three Mothers) & Result (Nirvana, etc.):

1. “Who through knowledge of all leads Hearers seeking pacification to complete peace.” (Ornament for Clear Realizations)

1.1 Support: refers to learner Hearer Aryas and learner Solitary Realizer Aryas (i.e., Aryas who are either on the Hinayana Path of Seeing or on the Hinayana Path of Meditation) 1.2 Method: Knower of Bases 1.3 Result: complete peace - Nirvana

2. “Who through knowledge of Paths causes those helping migrators to achieve the aims of the world.” (Ornament for Clear Realizations)

2.1 Support: refers to learner Bodhisattvas (i.e., Aryas who are either on the Mahayana Path of Seeing or on the Mahayana Path of Meditation). 2.2 Method: Knower of Paths 2.3 Result: achieving the aims of the world - Enlightenment / Buddhahood

3. “And who through possession of which the Subduers set forth the varieties having all aspects.” (Ornament for Clear Realizations)

3.1 Support: Refers to Buddhas (i.e., Aryas on the Mahayana Path of No-More Learning). 3.2 Method: Exalted Knower of Aspects 3.3 Result: Turning the Wheel of Dharma

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Five Objects:

1. Faith: Faith in Mahayana paths and their results, such as the Buddha. 2. Joyous effort: Enthusiasm in practising the Six Perfections (generosity and so forth). 3. Mindfulness: Mindfulness conjoined with Bodhicitta that is the perfect attitude for others’ welfare 4. Meditative Stabilization: Meditative stabilization that realizes lack of true existence. 5. Wisdom: Wisdom that realizes all aspects of all phenomena, i.e., modes and varieties (Conventional Truths and Ultimate Truths)

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