Shakyamuni Buddha is the founder of Buddhism. He is generally called The Buddha. After 500 previous incarnations, Sakyamuni finally attained to the state of Bodhisattva, was born the son of Suddhodana, of the ksatriya caste, ruler of Kapilavastu. In search for truth, he left home, severely disciplining himself and became an ascetic. Finally at age of 35, under a bodhi tree, he realized that the way of release from the chain of rebirth and death lay not in asceticism but in moral purity through wisdom and compassion – the “middle way.” He founded his community on the basis of poverty, chastity, and insight or meditation, and it became known as Buddhism.
Amita Buddha – Phật A Di Đà
Amita Buddha is the Buddha (Ruler) of the Western Land of Ultimate Bliss. He is also known as Amitabha Buddha (The Buddha of Infinite Light), and Amitayus Buddha (The Buddha of Infinite Life).
Please click The Visualization Sutra to learn more about the Amita Buddha and his Pure Land. This is an “actual manual of meditation” consisting of 16 visualizations taught by Shakyamuni Buddha, which, when perfected, will allow one to have a vision of Amitabha Buddha and his Pure Land in one’s present life.
The Hymn of the Buddha Amitabha
Amitabha’s body is the color of gold,
The splendor of his hallmarks has no peer.
The light of his brow shines round a hundred worlds,
Wide as the sea are his eyes pure and clear.
Shining in his brilliance by transformation
Are countless Bodhisattvas and infinite Buddhas.
His forty-eight vows will be our liberation,
In nine lotus-stages we reach the farthest shore.
Homage to the Buddha of the Western Pure Land,
Kind and Compassionate Amitabha.
(RH 137-138; UW 28 )
Kệ Tán Phật A Di Đà
A Di Đà Phật thân kim sắc.
Tướng hảo quang minh vô đẳng luân.
Bạch hào uyển chuyển ngũ tu di.
Hám mục trừng thanh tứ đại hải.
Quang trung hóa Phật vô số ức.
Hóa Bồ tát chúng diệc vô biên.
Tứ thập bát nguyện độ chúng sanh.
Cửu phẩm hàm linh đăng bỉ ngạn.
Nam mô Tây phương Cực Lạc thế giới đại từ đại bi A Di Đà Phật.
(Trích Kinh A Di Đà)
Bhaisajya-guru Buddha (Medicine Master Buddha) – Phật Dược Sư
Bhaisajya-guru Buddha is the Buddha (Ruler) of the Eastern Pure Land. He is also known as the Healing Buddha. The Buddha holds a medicine pot in his left hand and shows the mudra of delivering an absence of fear (Semui). He surely does dispense healing medicines to cure illnesses.
Please click the Medicine Master Buddha Sutra to learn more. In this sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha spoke of and praised the Medicine Buddha and his Pure Land of the East.
Maitreya Buddha (Happy Buddha) – Phật Di Lặc
Maitreya is a bodhisattva who in the Buddhist tradition is to appear on Earth, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma. He will be the next Buddha after the Shakyamuni Buddha, predicted by The Buddha himself. According to scriptures the Maitreya Bodhisattva was born in Varanasi in southern India to a Brahman family. He received the teachings from the Shakyamuni Buddha who predicted that he would become the next Buddha. The Maitreya Bodhisattva then ascended to Tusita Heaven where he now teaches the Dharma to the Gods residing there. Tusita Heaven refers to a heaven of full knowledge and satisfaction, where no greed or worldly desires exist. The Gods there have perfect knowledge and do not need materials or external objects to be satisfied.
According to tradition, the Matireya Bodhisattva will return to the Earth 5 670 000 000 (5 trillion 670 billion) years after the death of the Shakyamuni Buddha. He will attain Buddhahood under the Naga-puspa (dragon-flower) tree in a lotus garden and will save all sentient beings with 3 Dharma Talks.
The Maitreya Bodhisattva represents a very important figure in Buddhism. It is believed that if one dilligently cultivates one’s virtues in this lifetime, one will be reborn into Tusita Heaven where he/she will meet the Maitreya Bodhisattva. Furthermore , he/she will also be present at the Maitreya Bodhisattva’s first Dharma Talk after his enlightenment and attain enlightenment himself.
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These are the 4 popular and well-known Buddhas worshiped by Buddhists around the world. Next topic will be about the well-known Bodhisattvas.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva was the first disciple of the Buddha Amita in the Pure Land of the West. He is known as the ‘Buddha of Compassion’. The Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. His name, in Sanskrit, means ‘Lord who looks down’, and is often translated as Observer of the Sounds of the World or Contemplator of Self-Mastery. In China and its sphere of cultural influence, Avalokiteśvara is depicted in a female form known as Guan Yin. She is commonly known as the Goddess of Mercy who, in the spirit of great compassion, vows to reach out for the salvation of all sentient beings. As the regarded of world’s sufferings, all sentient beings who call upon her name will be heard and be liberated from suffering. She had reached a state of utmost freedom without hindrance in respect of wisdom and actions. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is one of the most popular and important Bodhisattvas worshiped by Buddhists around the world.
Please click The Universal Door of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva to learn more about the Bodhisattva, as Shakyamuni Buddha praised his great compassion and power.
Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva (Great Strength Bodhisattva) – Đại Thế Chí Bồ Tát
Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva was the second disciple of the Buddha Amita in the Land of Utmost Bliss. He is also called Boundless Light, because the light emanating from his entire body illuminates the worlds of the ten quarters, making them shine like purple-gold. This light can be seen by anyone who has a close karmic relationship with him. Even if one sees the light emanating from only one pore of his skin, one can perceive the pure and glorious lights of the innumerable Buddhas of the ten quarters. He has great power to illumine all beings with the light of wisdom in order to deliver them from the three evil realms. It is for this reason that he is also called Possessed of Great Power.
“The heavenly crown of this bodhisattva is adorned with five hundred jewelled lotus-flowers, each having five hundred jewelled pedestals. On each pedestal appear the pure and resplendent lands of the Buddhas in the ten quarters with all their boundless and glorious features.
“The mound on his head, shaped like a lotus-bud, has a jewelled vase in front. This is suffused with various lights which reveal all the activities of the Buddha. The rest of the characteristics of his body are exactly the same as Avalokiteshvara’s. When this bodhisattva walks, all the worlds in the ten quarters shake. Wherever the earth trembles, five hundred kotis of jewelled flowers appear, each as beautiful and brilliant as a flower in the Land of Utmost Bliss. When this bodhisattva sits down, all the seven-jewelled lands, from that of the Buddha Golden Light in the nadir to that of the Buddha King of Light in the zenith, tremble simultaneously.
(Excerpted from the Contemplation Sutra)
The Three Saints (Sages) of the West – Tây Phương Tam Thánh
This is the well-known depiction of the Buddha Amita (middle), the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (left of Amita Buddha), and the Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta (right of Amita Buddha). The Bodhisattvas assist the Buddha Amita in teaching the Dharma in the Western Pure Land.
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Earth Store Bodhisattva) – Địa Tạng Vương Bồ Tát
The Earth Store Bodhisattva is often referred to as the Bodhisattva of the Hell beings, because of his vow not to achieve Buddhahood until all Hells are emptied. Usually depicted as a monk with a nimbus (halo) around his shaved head, he carries a staff to force open the gates of Hell and a wish-fulfilling jewel to light up the darkness.
Sangharama Bodhisattva – Già Lam Thánh Chúng Bồ Tát
Before becoming a Bodhisattva, Sangharama Bodhisattva was once a general under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of China. His name was Guan Yu (Guan Gong). He played a significant role in the civil war that led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty and the establishment of the Kingdom of Shu, of which Liu Bei was the first emperor.
During his years as General under Liu Bei’s reign, General Guan Yu had fought many battles and defeated many great warriors during the Three Kingdoms era. Then, near the end of the Three Kingdoms period, General Guan Yu lost his battle due to a surprised attack by Lu Meng’s forces from the rear. He was captured and beheaded by Sun Quan, lord of the Wu Kingdom. His spirit roamed the land, crying “Give me back my head!” Thus he came to Yuquan Hill outside Dangyang County (present day city of Dangyang, Hubei), where he met the same monk who saved his life at the temple outside Sishui Pass many years ago during his journey to reunite with Liu Bei. The monk said to Guan Yu’s spirit, “Now you ask for your head, but from whom should Yan Liang, Wen Chou, the guardians of the five passes and many others ask for theirs?” The spirit was enlightened and dissipated. It henceforth often manifested itself around the hill and protected the people in nearby villages. A temple was then built by the people on the hill to worship him.
During the last decade of the 6th century, during the Sui Dynasty, a temple named Yuquan Temple was built. Accordingly, it was to the first reverence of the Yuquan Temple, the spirit of General Guan Yu manifested itself and requested entrance into Buddhism. One of the temple halls, named Sangharama Hall, is dedicated to General Guan Yu.
Because of his nobility, uprightness, integrity, loyalty and bravery, Sangharama Bodhisattva is widely regarded as the Guardian Bodhisattva of the Brave, Loyal and Righteous.
(Sangharama Bodhisattva’s historical legend can be read in details in the famous novel The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which recounts a time of great distress and chaos of the Han Dynasty, 202 B.C)
Ullambana festival is one of the most important days for celebration in Buddhism, observed on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month (corresponds to August of the western calendar). On this day it is believed that the “Gates of the Hell” are opened and the dead ones pay visit to their loved ones. During this festival, offerings are made to the spirits of the dead and to the hungry ghosts in order to bring good fortune and luck.
Ullambana, a Sanskrit word, means, ‘rescuing those who are hanging upside-down’. Traditionally it is referred as ‘seeking salvation for the anguished souls in hell’. It is the festival of deliverance, and advocates and reinforces the concept of filial piety. According to Buddhist legend, the observance of this festival is based on the story of ‘Mahamaudgalyayana saving his Mother’.
Mahamaudgalyayana (also Maudgalyayana) is one of the disciples of the Buddha Shakyamuni. Upon obtaining the six spiritual penetrations, he uses his Way Eye and meditative skills and finds his deceased mother reborn in the realms of pain and suffering, tormented with hunger and starvation. Deeply sad, Mahamaudgalyayana started a journey to the netherworld to relieve her of her suffering.
Once he goes there, Maudgalyayana finds his mother starving and in a pitiful state. He offers her food, but when she tries to eat it, the food turns to smouldering pieces of charcoal.
Maudgalyayana is distressed and seeks advice and help from his master, the Buddha. Buddha tells him that his mother’s offences are deep-rooted and that he alone will not be able to ease her sufferings. He advises Maudgalyayana to make offerings of five fruits, incense, oil, lamps, candles, beds and bedding to the assembled members of the Order and pray along with them for the liberation of his mother’s soul.
The Buddha also tells Maudgalyayana that by making such an offering, not only his mother but his forefathers and kith and kin will also escape suffering and attain eternal bliss and salvation.
The day on which Maudgalyayana performed the act of compassionate filial conduct and brought salvation to his forefathers is celebrated as Ullambana.
The Significance of the Ullambana Festival:
Ullambana festival chiefly reinforces the concept of filial piety. It signifies the importance of performing ‘good deeds’ to accumulate spiritual merit. Most significant is to share the merit with the departed souls, to help them reborn in good realms and end their suffering.
On this day, Buddhists offer prayers both to their departed fore-parents and to their living parents and elders.
Buddhist Mother’s day:
The Ullambana day is also equivalent to the Western Mother’s day, on which Buddhists around the world pay tribute to their parents. The ceremony varies temple by temple and is often started with the chanting of the Ullambana Sutra. During the ceremony, roses will be given out. Those, whose mothers are still living, will wear a red rose on the left of their shirts. Those, whose mothers have deceased, will wear a white rose. Songs praising the kindness and sacrifices of parents for their children will be played during the giving of the roses.
Tính theo ngày Âm lịch – Based on the Lunar calendar
Tháng Giêng (1st month):
Ngày mùng 1 (1st day) – Vía Đức Di Lặc / Celebration of Happy Buddha
Tháng Hai (2nd month): Ngày mùng
8 – Vía Phật Thích Ca xuất gia / Celebration of Sakyamuni Buddha’s Leaving Home (to become a monk)
15 – Vía Phật Thích Ca nhập diệt / Celebration of Sakyamuni Buddha’s Nirvàna
19 – Vía Đức Quán Thế Âm (ngày đảng sanh) / Celebration of Gwan Yin Bodhisattva’s Birthday
21 – Vía Đức Phổ Hiền Bồ Tát / Celebration of Universal Worthy Bodhisattva
Tháng Ba (3rd month):
Ngày mùng 16 – Vía Đức Chuẩn Đề Bồ Tát / Celebration of Cundi Bodhisattva
Tháng Tư (4th month): Ngày mùng
4 – Vía Đức Văn Thù Bồ Tát / Celebration of Manjusri Bodhisattva
15 – Vía Phật Thích Ca giáng sanh / Celebration of Shakyamuni Buddha’s Birthday
Tháng Sáu (6th month):
Ngày mùng 19 – Vía Đức Quán Thế Âm (thành đạo) / Celebration of Gwan Yin Bodhisattva’s Enlightenment
Tháng Bảy (7th month): Ngày mùng
13 – Vía Đức Đại Thế Chí Bồ Tát / Celebration of Great Strength Bodhisattva
15 – Lễ Vu Lan Bồn / Celebration of Ullambana
30 – Vía Đức Địa Tạng Bồ Tát / Celebration of Earth Store Bodhisattva
Tháng Chín (9th month): Ngày mùng
19 – Vía Đức Quán Thế Âm (xuất gia) / Celebration of Gwan Yin Bodhisattva’s Leaving Home
30 – Vía Phật Dược Sư / Celebration of Medicine Master Buddha
Tháng 11 (11th month):
Ngày mùng 17 – Vía Phật A Di Đà / Celebration of Amitabha Buddha’s Birthday
Tháng 12 (12th month):
Ngày mùng 8 – Vía Phật Thích Ca thành đạo / Celebration of Shakyamuni Buddha’s Enlightenment
THƯ VIỆN NAMO84000 