(4) Bodhisattvas with Unique Personalities: Knowing Buddhist Statues Makes Visiting Temples More Enjoyable

It has been four months, but this is the fourth installment of the series, "Knowing Buddhist Statues Makes Visiting Temples More Enjoyable."
The previous one was here.

I took up the pattern of Kannon Bodhisattva transforming in various ways depending on the time and situation as the "Six Kannons," although this is just a small part of it.

Furthermore, Kannon Bodhisattva has thirty-three forms, which form the basis of the "Saigoku Thirty-three" Kannon pilgrimage.
It is believed that by making a pilgrimage to the thirty-three temples in the Kinki region that enshrine Kannon Bodhisattva, one's sins will be erased and one can be reborn in paradise.

This originates from the thirty-three manifestations of Kannon Bodhisattva, who changes form to save sentient beings, and these forms include monks, warriors, celestial maidens, and people of all ages and genders, saving them in ways appropriate to the time and situation.

These varied forms mean that it is the ultimate salvation pattern that stays close to us, the sentient beings, to the very end.

A wide variety of Bodhisattvas

There are many types of Bodhisattvas who are dedicated to staying close to us, but I will pick up some representative ones.

Maitreya Bodhisattva is always thinking

The Buddhist version of "The Thinker."
The pose is the "thinking hand" with fingers lightly touching the cheek, and as the name suggests, he is always contemplating the happiness of sentient beings.
He is sitting on a chair with one leg placed on the other knee, which at first glance looks like a rude pose, but it is a Buddhist sitting style called "hankaiza" (half-lotus sitting).

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has a shaved head and carries a khakkhara staff and a wish-fulfilling jewel

Although he is not a Tathagata, he does not wear accessories and is dressed simply.
A shaved head and a khakkhara staff are his characteristics.
In the first place, when Shakyamuni passed away, it is considered a major role to save sentient beings during the period when there is no Buddha in the world until Maitreya Bodhisattva appears as a Tathagata.

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva rides a white elephant and puts his hands together

The visual characteristics are a white elephant and hands pressed together in prayer.
However, in Esoteric Buddhism, he may hold a precious sword or a lotus flower.
The white of the white elephant is considered a symbol of "purity," and the elephant is a symbol of "practical ability" because it steps firmly on the ground.
He is a Bodhisattva who saves sentient beings from illness and disaster.

Manjusri Bodhisattva rides a lion and holds a sword and a sutra

He is the Bodhisattva of wisdom in Buddhism, and he grants insight and judgment.
What he holds are the "sword of wisdom" and the "sutra of wisdom," and the fact that he rides a "lion," the king of beasts, also represents powerful wisdom.

Akasagarbha Bodhisattva has a crown of five Buddhas

He is a Bodhisattva who governs infinite wisdom and merit, and if wisdom is also infinite, how is he different from Manjusri Bodhisattva?
I am still not studying enough about this, so I don't know well.
The visual characteristic is, after all, that there are five incarnations of Buddha on the crown.
It is said that the sword is one that cuts off worldly desires, and the wish-fulfilling jewel is one that grants all wishes.

Animals that Bodhisattvas ride

Animals often seen ridden by Bodhisattvas include lions, elephants, horses, peacocks, and dragons. These were considered sacred in India, and it is believed they were combined with Buddhist statues to incorporate the intentions of the creators or meanings based on scriptures.

Common combinations of animals, including those with Buddhist statues other than Bodhisattvas, are as follows.

・Manjushri Bodhisattva - Lion
・Samantabhadra Bodhisattva - White Elephant
・Mahamayuri (Peacock Wisdom King) - Peacock
・Hayagriva (Horse-headed Kannon) - Horse
・Akasagarbha Bodhisattva - Lion, Elephant, Horse, Peacock, Garuda, etc.
・Indra (Taishakuten) - Elephant
・Yamantaka (Daiitoku Myoo) - Water Buffalo
・Myoken Bodhisattva - Turtle

These animals symbolize the characteristics and meanings of each Bodhisattva.
- Examples -
Lion - Wisdom and Strength
Elephant - Compassion and Practical Ability
Peacock - Power to consume evil
Horse - Action and Wisdom

As I wrote in my post on April 5th of this year, the Kanchi-in at To-ji Temple houses the principal images of the Five Great Akasagarbha Bodhisattvas, each riding a different bird or beast.
Isn't this a rare and valuable example, even within Japan?

The 'sentient beings' that the Buddha saves refer to all living things in this world.
Perhaps this is why the teaching suggests that by all these living things working together and cooperating, everyone has an important role, and no life is wasted.

As the attendants (wakiji) to the principal image, as a triad

When visiting a temple, there is a formal arrangement depending on the principal image enshrined.
This is called the 'triad format,' where the principal image is placed in the center, and Buddhist statues called attendants are placed on its left and right.

Typical combinations are as follows.

Shaka Triad

When the central figure is Shakyamuni Buddha, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva is on the left and Manjushri Bodhisattva is on the right.
Samantabhadra represents 'compassion' and Manjushri represents 'wisdom', and they are said to assist in Shakyamuni's teachings to guide and save sentient beings.

Amida Triad

When Amida Nyorai is the central figure, Mahasthamaprapta (Seishi) Bodhisattva is on the left and Kannon Bodhisattva is on the right as attendants.
Amida Nyorai governs the Western Pure Land, and Kannon Bodhisattva symbolizes 'compassion' and Mahasthamaprapta symbolizes 'wisdom'.
The Amida Triad is said to perform the most suitable role for guiding the deceased to the Pure Land.

Yakushi Triad

When the central figure is 'Yakushi Nyorai' (Medicine Buddha), Suryaprabha (Nikko) Bodhisattva and Candraprabha (Gakko) Bodhisattva are placed on the left and right as attendants.
Yakushi Nyorai is a Buddha who heals and saves from illness, and Suryaprabha symbolizes 'light' and Candraprabha symbolizes 'serenity', playing the role of assisting Yakushi Nyorai's teachings.

Dainichi Triad

When the central figure is Dainichi Nyorai of the Shingon sect, it is common to enshrine Fudo Myoo on the left and Kobo Daishi Kukai on the right as attendants.
Based on the idea that Dainichi Nyorai is the truth of the universe itself, Fudo Myoo cuts off worldly desires, and Kobo Daishi, as the founder of the Shingon sect, spreads the teachings, each having a linked role.

When you visit a temple, if you know who the principal image is, you will naturally know the attendants flanking it.
Knowing their roles and characteristics adds a sense of story, and the Buddhist statues you see take on a deeper meaning.

The Triad in the Buddhist Altar

Incidentally, there is also a proper triad inside the Buddhist altar.
When I was a child, most homes had one, but they are rarely seen these days.

Surprisingly, even my home, which is non-religious and has no faith, has one.
It was for my late mother-in-law to mourn her husband (my father-in-law) who passed away early, and it was inherited by my husband, who is an only child and the eldest son.
Since it is likely Jodo Shinshu, I believe it is the triad in the upper left of the diagram below.

The reason is that while the central figure is Amitabha Tathagata, the attendant monks are on hanging scrolls, and only their figures are depicted without their names.
In the Shingon sect, it is easy to tell because it is Fudo Myoo on the right, but
when both attendants are monks, it is indistinguishable from the Jodo or Tendai sects.

I have to judge by their appearance, but I still think the one in our home is Jodo Shinshu.

Others:
Nichiren Sect
Main deity: Great Mandala, Nichiren Shonin, Shakyamuni Tathagata, Amitabha Tathagata, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, Bhaisajyaguru Tathagata
Attendants: Vary by sect and region
Soto Sect
Main deity: Shakyamuni Tathagata
Attendants: Joyo Daishi Dogen on the right, Josai Daishi Keizan on the left
Rinzai Sect
Main deity: Shakyamuni Tathagata
Attendants: Vary by sect and temple

What do you think?
If you have a Buddhist altar at home, why not at least check what kind of triad is there and know who you are praying to?
At the very least, I had no interest at all, so for a long time, I vaguely put my hands together without questioning anything, but now that I know, my consciousness when praying has changed.

By knowing the triad in your home altar, you can also get a glimpse of the history of that sect.

Honestly, the 'thought' behind putting your hands together is the same regardless of the sect.
However, I think the meaning is quite different when you know the object of your worship versus when you do not.

All images are from the following free materials:
・Illustration AC
・Rokumei Bunko(National Diet Library Digital Collections)
・Pinterest
・otayori
・Coloring pages of Kannon Bodhisattva, etc.

[Citations/References]
・Butsuzo Nyumon.com
・Hotokami
・Goto 88 Temple Pilgrimage

[Knowing Buddhist Statues Makes Temple Visits More Enjoyable]
(1)Rough Knowledge of Buddhas
(2)Tathagatas are Masters of Truth
(3) Transforming Bodhisattvas