Embedded Files
Sign up for The Wisdom Waves Membership here!
According to Japanese Buddhist Culture, there is a Buddha or Bodhisattva to protect you upon birth. There is a corresponding Zodiac Protector for each Lunar Zodiac animal.
About Zodiac Protectors
According to Japanese Buddhist Culture, there is a Buddha or Bodhisattva to protect you upon birth. There is a corresponding Zodiac Protector for each Lunar Zodiac animal. The Zodiac Protector engages in His vows that whoever prays to the respective Zodiac Protector with faith would be blessed by Him. Each Zodiac Protector has a corresponding Zodiac General as guardian.
Zodiac Rat: Avalokitesvara
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, also known as Thousand Hands Avalokitesvara, is one of the six forms of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in Buddhism.
Zodiacs Ox and Tiger: Akasagarbha
Akasagarbha Bodhisattva is one of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas in Chinese Mahayana Buddhism. Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha specializes in wisdom, merit, and wealth among the countless bodhisattvas.
Zodiac Rabbit: Manjusri
Manjusri Bodhisattva, also known as Manjusri Bodhisattva or Bodhisattva of Wonderful Auspiciousness, is one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas in Buddhism and serves as the attendant Bodhisattva on the left side of Shakyamuni Buddha, symbolizing wisdom and intelligence. Renowned for his exceptional virtues and talents, he holds the foremost position among the Bodhisattvas and is therefore referred to as the Prince of the Dharma.
Zodiacs Dragon and Snake: Samantabhadra
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism, symbolizes the virtues of wisdom and virtue. He corresponds to Manjushri Bodhisattva, who symbolizes wisdom and righteousness, and both serve as attendants to Shakyamuni Buddha on his left and right sides. Together with Vairocana Buddha and Manjushri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva is revered as the "Avatamsaka Trinity."
Zodiac Horse: Mahasathamaprapta
Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva is the attendant to Amitabha Buddha, the Supreme Buddha of the Western Pureland, on his right side. He is also revered as Great Endeavor Bodhisattva. Alongside Amitabha Buddha and Avalokitesvvara Bodhisattva (the attendant on Amitabha Buddha's left side), they are collectively honored as the "Western Trinity."
Zodiacs Goat and Monkey: Vairocana
Dainichi Nyorai, also known as Mahavairocana Buddha, is one of the three bodies of Shakyamuni Buddha, representing the absolute truth of Buddhahood. In Chinese translations, he is also referred to as Mahavairocana, Vairocana, Universal Illumination, and Illuminator of All. He is the fundamental principal deity in Esoteric Buddhism, considered the embodiment of Dharmakaya, the ultimate reality of the universe, and the fundamental Buddha revealed in the phenomenal world.
Zodiac Rooster: Acala
Acala is a wrathful deity and dharmapala (protector of the Dharma) prominent in Vajrayana Buddhism and East Asian Buddhism.
Originally a minor deity described as a messenger or acolyte of the buddha Vairocana, Acala later rose to prominence as an object of veneration in his own right as a remover of obstacles and destroyer of evil, eventually becoming seen as the wrathful manifestation of either Vairocana, Akshobhya or Manjusri.
Zodiacs Dog and Pig: Amitabha
Amitabha is one of the main Buddhas of Mahayana Buddhism and the most widely venerated Buddhist figure in East Asian Buddhism. Amitabha is the main figure in two influential Indian Buddhist Mahayana Scriptures: the Sutra of Measureless Life and the Sutra of Amitabha. According to the Sutra of Measureless Life, Amitabha established a pureland of perfect peace and happiness, called Sukhavati, where beings who mindfully remember him with faith may be reborn and then quickly attain enlightenment.
When Buddhism arrived in Japan, in the mid-6th century AD, the Japanese eagerly imported both the Buddhist teachings and the Zodiac calendar, the calendar was officially adopted in 604 AD.
In Japan, the Zodiac calendar is known as Kanshi 干支 (also read Eto), and the 12 animals of the Zodiac are known as the Juni Shi (Juni Shi) 十二支.
The Zodiac's popularity in Japan peaked during the Edo Era (1600-1868 AD), by which time each of the 12 animals were commonly associated with one of eight Buddhist patron protector deities (four guarding the four cardinal directions and four guarding the four semi-directions; the latter four are each associated with two animals, thus covering all 12 animals).
At many Japanese temples even today, visitors can purchase small protective amulets or carvings of their patron Buddhist-Zodiac deity. In Japan, the lunar calendar was abandoned in 1872 in favour of the solar (Gregorian) calendar, but even today many temples and shrines continue to use the lunar calendar for important festivals and events.
This grouping of eight Buddhist deities is associated with the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac calendar. Each deity is associated with a specific Zodiac animal and serves as the protector (guardian, patron) for all people born in that animal year.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse