Buddhist gods adherents of this religion are recognized as beings of a separate class who obey the laws of karma. It is noteworthy that at the same time, this religion categorically denies the existence of a supreme creator-lord who would create this world and rule it. Everyone who appears in a Buddhist temple is simply amazed at the number of images of various deities. Surprisingly, their total number remains unknown. At least there are more than three thousand, and the catalogs with their images occupy several volumes.
Essence
For proponents of this belief, Buddhist gods are a reflection of their own mind, which corresponds to various aspects of their thinking and perception of the outside world. In reality, they have no concrete form, existing independently of each other.
At the same time, behind each image of the Buddhist god is symbolism developed to the smallest detail. Every detail is endowed with meaning - color, form of deities, hand gestures, posture, available attributes and decorations.
Interestingly, the generally accepted classification of the pantheon of Buddhist gods simply does not exist. In this case, most of the images are conditionally divided into three bodies of the Buddha.
Features of Buddhism
The peculiarity of this religion is the fact that the concept of God, in the usual sense, does not exist here. Therefore, Buddhists, as a rule, do not pray - they do not have an almighty person who can be asked for something, as in most other religions. Many recall that even Buddha himself emphasized this and taught him not to worship or deify him.
Mention of this is in ancient texts, which are dated around the first century AD. The whole essence of this religion is contained in these Buddhist scrolls. God, i.e., I - these concepts are largely identified. The man himself is compared with the seed and core of all things, as well as the cause of the base and trunk. Buddhists are sure that the branch of any incident or event grows from a specific individual.
Namsaray
A common symbol in this religion is the Buddhist god of wealth, Namsaray. He is traditionally portrayed as sitting on a snow-white lion. He has a yellow-gold body and an angry facial expression. In his right hand he holds the banner of victory, and in his left - the mongoose, which is associated with wealth and wealth.
Often he is depicted on the external walls of temples and monasteries as a defender against negative forces. It is believed that this Buddhist god is one of the most popular among believers.
Symbols of god
The symbols with which Namsaray is portrayed are of great importance, like any other Buddhist deity.
Namsarea is usually accompanied by:
- Two goldfish that symbolize liberation from samsara;
- White shell (while its spiral is wrapped in the right side, symbolizing the sound of the enlightenment of the Buddha).
- Precious vase from which rain spills a long and healthy life, prosperity and health.
- Lotus flower as a symbol of spiritual purity and impeccable body.
- A golden eight-spoke wheel that symbolizes the eight-membered path of any Buddhist. It consists of right thinking, vision, action, correct speech, ways to achieve livelihoods, effort, training the mind and concentration.
- The victory banner, mounted on top of the sacred Mount Meru, located in the center of the universe.
- An umbrella is a symbol of the king’s power, protecting from the evil influence that is granted to all compassionate Buddhas.
- The eternal knot (or knot of luck), one of its meanings is the complex connection between compassion and wisdom, as well as harmony and infinite love.
Symbols in Buddhism are of great importance, therefore it is so important to know them and understand them.
Kurukulla
Kurukulla is the Buddhist goddess of love. She is considered one of the incarnations of Red Tara, one of the main bodhisattvas of this religion.
It is believed that Kurukulla patronizes love, magic, sorcery and healing (her counterparts in other religions are Rati in Hinduism, she also has many similarities with Kali).
Its main attribute is an arrow and a bow, made of flowers. In traditional iconography, the body of the goddess is depicted in red, she wears a crown made up of human skulls, and her hair is always prostrated. A tiger skin is thrown around the waist, and a garland of severed human heads descends from the shoulders. Kurukulla is four-armed.
Buddhism describes four of its activities. White - is able to pacify, soothe and heal. Yellow - helps to increase wealth, abundance, prosperity and wisdom. Red - is able to subjugate people to its power, bewitch and enchant them. Black - prevents the spiritual path, destroys evil, promotes angry manifestations.
In some areas where Buddhism is prevalent, Kurukulla is considered the main patroness of sex and love. This distinguishes the Buddhist goddess from the background of other so-called creatures (in the article there are only some of their names and photos). This status also makes her related to the Greek Aphrodite. In this case, the images with the patroness of love are quite frank in nature - she is drawn by a naked 16-year-old girl, seductive and sensual. The Tibetans especially worship this deity. In particular, for her magical abilities to bewitch people, gaining power over them.
Manjushri
In the list of Buddhist gods, such a symbol as Manjushri finds its place, which cannot be ignored. This is one of the oldest Buddhist images, it is called the closest associate and ally of Buddha Gautama.
The first mention of it is found in the earliest texts of the Mahayana, that is, in sources dating to BC. It is believed that he personifies will, reason and wisdom. His cult is especially popular in Tibet and in China.
In fact, Manjushri is a teacher and guide, considered one of the few who have the highest degree of wisdom. It is for this reason that the prayers addressed to him help to achieve true enlightenment. Those who worship him have a well-developed intuition, as well as clairvoyance and all sorts of other mystical abilities.
In Tibet and China, the mention of Manjushri can be found in various legends and sources. One of the incarnations of this deity was considered by the Chinese emperor Nurhatsi, the founder of the Manchu empire, who ruled at the turn of the XVI-XVII centuries.
Shakyamuni Buddha
Among the names of Buddhist gods you will definitely meet Buddha Shakyamuni. It is believed that this is the very Gautama known to most of us. It was he who became the first person, according to his fans, who achieved enlightenment. But for this, he had to overcome several hundred lives in the wheel of Samsara. Only after that he managed to get out and interrupt this cycle of rebirth.
Buddha is a wise and strong ruler, it is believed that, first of all, he patronizes scientists, philosophers, people of creative and intellectual professions. He helps all of them find their way to true enlightenment.
Buddha of Medicine
On the list of Buddhist gods is the Buddha of Medicine. It is interesting that he appears immediately in seven guises. It is believed that if you regularly contact him, it will help get rid of most existing diseases. And not only physically, but also spiritually.
The Buddha of Medicine gives his wards whom he protects, gives vitality and powerful energy, helping to achieve success in medicine and other areas.
Especially for him, there is a special Mantra of Medicine, which true believing Buddhists pronounce exactly 108 times daily.
Traditionally, he is depicted in the lotus position and in monastic robes. In his left hand he has a begging bowl in which medicinal plants grow, and in his right - a stalk of a miroblan. At the same time, he sits on a lotus flower or a lion throne.
Among the attributes and symbols of the Buddha of Medicine you can often find boxes with medicines, as well as a clay jug.
Vajrapani
The image of the Buddhist god Vajrapani can often be found in the iconography of this religion. He is considered one of the three defenders of Gautama, symbolizing the power of true doctrine. He personifies both angry and benevolent traits, for this reason he can patronize even the most ordinary people who are fighting among themselves for a bright and dark beginning.
It is worth noting that this is an extremely resolute deity who has the ability to endow other people with the same trait. It is also believed that it can push a person to do good deeds and actions. Therefore, those who are born under his auspices often turn to him for help in extremely difficult situations.
In the very first images in iconography, Vajrapani is associated with the god of thunder. When the influence of Greek culture began to spread in Central Asia, which led to the emergence of Greek Buddhism, it began to personify with Heracles.
As a rule, God is depicted as a muscular and majestic athlete who holds a diamond club in his hands.
Vajrasattva
This deity is also called Buddha Samantabhadra or Enlightened. It is a symbol of transcendental wisdom, which exists beyond the understanding of an ordinary person.
It is believed that appealing to him for patronage can bring purification to the applicant, drive away gloomy thoughts, and even cleanse karma. It is worth emphasizing that it is this deity that has special significance in Buddhism.
He is addressed to a special mantra that is recited in the course of traditional preparatory practices. People who are born under the sign of this patron have healing abilities. Buddhists believe that in the future they become doctors, receiving a unique gift - to heal the mental and physical wounds of a person solely in word.
The name Vajrasattva surfaced after the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. Then it was proposed to organize a worldwide project, within the framework of which to start reading the six-syllabary mantra dedicated to this deity all over the world. Thus, it was proposed to accumulate a billion readings in order to restore peace and order on the planet.
In the images, the deity holds a bell in his left hand, and a vajra in his right hand. This is a mythological and ritual weapon, which according to legend was created from the bones of the Indian sage Dadhichi. It combines the properties of a mace, sword and spear.
Avalokiteshvara
Avalokiteshvara personifies compassion, and even love for all human beings. Buddhists believe that it is his embodiment that is the Dalai Lama. Moreover, he can appear in 108 all kinds of guises, trying to help everyone, without exception, who is trying to find enlightenment and break out of the wheel of Samsara.
Believers believe that this deity closely monitors everything that happens on Earth, noting any injustice. It immediately directs all its energy and strength to its correction. A special mantra, revered in Buddhism, helps not only reach out to this patron, but also to subdue one's own anger, to find ways to pacify oneself.
According to legend, Avalokiteshvara once made a monastic vow, promising to save all living beings on the planet from the bonds of samsara. Realizing that he could never complete this overwhelming mission, his head was torn into 11 parts. Then the Buddha restored his body, giving it a new form, with 11 heads and a thousand hands.