Popular Deities of Chinese Buddhism (Illustrated)

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C X

u sien ’usa

amantabhadra odhisattva

Samantabhadra or Universal Virtue is known to the Chinese as

Pu Hsien and Fugen, to the Japanese. She is the personification

of love, sacred activity, virtue, diligent training and patience. In

the Chinese Pantheon she is seen in the triad with Kuan Shih

Yin (Compassion) and Wen-Shu (Wisdom) as the ree Precious

Bodhisattvas whose qualities make up the Buddha’s Essence. In

many Japanese and Chinese temples she is also found in the Trin-

ity with Sakyamuni Buddha and Wen-Shu Pusa (Manjusri).

Imageries of Pu Hsien usually show her seated on a white ele-

phant in various ways and holding a lotus flower or a scroll or

book. e elephant, normally in a standing posture, may be

crouching and may either have three heads or one head with six

tusks.

Pu Hsien P’usa is well known for her limitless offerings to the

Buddhas as well as her Ten Great Vows which are directed to-

wards benefitting sentient beings. ey are:

1. To worship the Buddhas
   2. To praise the Tathagatas.
   3. To make offerings to all the Buddhas.