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Twenty-Four Protective Deities
The Twenty-Four Protective Deities or the Twenty-Four Devas (Chinese language, Chinese: 二十四諸天; pinyin: ''Èrshísì Zhūtiān''), sometimes reduced to the Twenty Protective Deities or the Twenty Devas (Chinese language, Chinese: 二十諸天; pinyin: ''Èrshí Zhūtiān''), are a group of dharmapalas in Chinese Buddhism who are venerated as defenders of the Buddhist dharma. The group mostly consists of devas, naga kings, vajra-holders and other beings mentioned in Buddhist sūtras, as well as a few adapted from the Taoism, Taoist pantheon and converted into Buddhist Dharmapala, dharmapalas. Overview In historical History of Buddhism in India, Indian Buddhism, there were originally sixteen devas who were considered as dharmapalas. These devas, such as Shiva, Indra and Brahma, are mentioned in various Mahayana Buddhist sūtras, such as the Lotus Sutra, Lotus Sūtra and the Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra. More deities, namely Surya, Chandra, Yama and Sāgara (Dragon King), Sāga ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lingyin Temple
Lingyin Temple () is a prominent Chan Buddhist temple near Hangzhou that is renowned for its many pagodas and grottos. Its name is commonly and literally translated into English as Temple of the Soul's Retreat. The monastery is the largest of several temples in the Wulin Mountains (), which feature renowned grottos and religious rock carvings. History According to tradition, the monastery was founded in 328 AD during the Eastern Jin dynasty (266–420) by an Indian monk, named Huili in Chinese. From its inception, Lingyin was a famous monastery in the Jiangnan region. At its peak under the Wuyue Kingdom (907–978), the temple boasted 18 pavilions, 72 halls, more than 1300 dormitory rooms, inhabited by more than 3000 monks. Many of the rich Buddhist carvings in the Feilai Feng grottos and surrounding mountains also date from this era. During the Southern Song (1127–1279), the monastery was regarded as one of the ten most important temples of the Chan sect in the Jiangn ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra
The ''Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra'' ("''The Basket's Display''", Full Sanskrit: ''Āryakāraṇḍavyūhanāmamahāyānasūtra'', Tibetan: ['phags pa] za ma tog bkod pa zhes bya ba theg pa chen po'i mdo; zh, t=佛說大乘莊嚴寶王經, p=Fó shuō dàchéng zhuāngyán bǎo wáng jīng) is a Vajrayana, Mantrayāna Sutra, sūtra which extols the virtues and powers of Avalokiteśvara, who is presented here as a primordial cosmic overlord (a kind of Adi-Buddha, adibuddha figure) and as the source of numerous Indian deities.Alexander Studholme, ''The Origins of Om Manipadme Hum: A Study of the Karandavyuha Sutra'', SUNY, 2002, p. 40 The ''Kāraṇḍavyūha'' was compiled at the end of the 4th century or beginning of the 5th century CE. It exists in Chinese translation (at Taishō Tripiṭaka no. 1050) and in Tibetan (Tohoku no. 116). This sutra is particularly notable for introducing the mantra Om mani padme hum and also teaching the important Cundi (Buddhism), Cundi dharani. Ov ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tiantai
Tiantai or T'ien-t'ai () is an East Asian Buddhist school of Mahāyāna Buddhism that developed in 6th-century China. Drawing from earlier Mahāyāna sources such as Madhyamaka, founded by Nāgārjuna, who is traditionally regarded as the first patriarch of the school, Tiantai Buddhism emphasizes the "One Vehicle" () doctrine derived from the influential '' Lotus Sūtra'', as well as the philosophy of its fourth patriarch, Zhiyi (538–597 CE), the principal founder of the tradition. Brook Ziporyn, professor of ancient and medieval Chinese religion and philosophy, states that Tiantai Buddhism is "the earliest attempt at a thoroughgoing Sinitic reworking of the Indian Buddhist tradition." According to Paul Swanson, scholar of Buddhist studies, Tiantai Buddhism grew to become "one of the most influential Buddhist traditions in China and Japan." Tiantai is sometimes also called "The Dharma Flower School" (), after its focus on the '' Lotus Sūtra'', whose Chinese title tra ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Zhiyi
Zhiyi (; 538–597 CE) also called Dashi Tiantai (天台大師) and Zhizhe (智者, "Wise One"), was a Chinese Bhikkhu, Buddhist monk, Buddhist philosophy, philosopher, meditation teacher, and Exegesis, exegete. He is considered to be the founder of the Tiantai Buddhist tradition, as well as its fourth Patriarch (Buddhism), patriarch. Śramaṇa Zhiyi is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the development of East Asian Buddhism, East Asian Buddhist thought and practice. As the first major Chinese Buddhist thinker to construct a comprehensive religious system based primarily on Chinese interpretations, Zhiyi played a crucial role in synthesizing various strands of Mahayana Buddhism into a unique coherent framework."Tiantai Zhiyi." In ''The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism'', 911–12. Princeton University Press, 2014. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt46n41q.27. According to David W. Chappell, Zhiyi "has been ranked with Thomas Aquinas and al-Ghazali as one o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jade Emperor
In the Chinese mythology, myths and Chinese folk religion, folk religion of Chinese culture, the Jade Emperor or Yudi is one of the representations of the Primordial Divinity (Tai Di), primordial god. In Taoist theology, he is the assistant of Yuanshi Tianzun, who is one of the Three Pure Ones, the three primordial emanations of the Tao. However, some Taoists in history were skeptical of his benevolence because his buildings and infrastructure in heaven and earth were sometimes seen as interfering with the many natural laws or Tao, dao. He is often identified with Śakra (Buddhism), Śakra in Chinese Buddhist cosmology and identified with Yu the Great in Chinese mythology. The Jade Emperor is known by many names, including Yu, Heavenly Grandfather (, '), which originally meant "Heavenly Duke", which is used by commoners; the Jade Lord; the Highest Emperor; Great Emperor of Jade ( , or ). Chinese mythology There are many stories in Chinese mythology involving the Jade Empe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Refuge In Buddhism
In Buddhism, refuge or taking refuge refers to a religious practice which often includes a prayer or recitation performed at the beginning of the day or of a practice session. Its object is typically the Three Jewels (also known as the Triple Gem or Three Refuges, Pali: ''ti-ratana'' or ''ratana-ttaya''; Sanskrit: ''tri-ratna'' or ''ratna-traya''), which are the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Taking refuge is a form of aspiration to lead a life with the Triple Gem at its core. In early Buddhist scriptures, taking refuge is an expression of determination to follow the Buddha's path, but not a relinquishing of responsibility. Refuge is common to all major schools of Buddhism. Since the period of Early Buddhism, all Theravada and mainstream Mahayana schools only take refuge in the Triple Gem. However, the Vajrayana school includes an expanded refuge formula known as the Three Jewels and Three Roots. Overview Since the period of Early Buddhism, devotees expressed their ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Puja (Buddhism)
Puja or Pooja may refer to: Religion *Puja (Hinduism), a ritual of devotional worship, to host and honour a guest, or one to celebrate an event * Puja (Buddhism), expressions of honour, worship and devotional attention * Puja, a wooden stick, sometimes leather-covered, used to play a singing bowl People *Pooja Banerjee (born 1991), Indian television actress *Pooja Bhatt (born 1972), Bollywood producer, director and actress * Puja Banerjee, Indian television actress *Pooja Gandhi, Indian film actress * Pooja Hegde, Indian actress * Pooja Jatyan (born 1998), Indian para archer * Pooja Pal (alternate spelling Puja Pal), Indian politician from the Bahujan Samaj Party * Pooja Shah (born 1979), British television actress * Pooja Singh, Indian television actress * Pooja Umashankar, Indian actress *Puja Gupta, winner of Miss India Universe in 2007 * Frigyes Puja (1921–2008), native form Puja Frigyes, Hungarian politician *Miss Pooja, (born 1980) (real name Gurinder Kaur Kainth), India ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mahavira Hall
A Mahavira Hall, usually simply known as a Main Hall, is the main hall or building in a traditional Chinese culture, Chinese Buddhist temple, enshrining representations of Gautama Buddha and various other buddhas and bodhisattvas. It is encountered throughout East Asia. Names From their importance and use, they are often simply known in English as the temples' "Main" or "Great Halls". The term "Mahavira Hall", also encountered as "Mahāvīra Hall" or "Hall of the Mahāvīra", is a reverse translation, employing the original Sanskrit term in place of its Chinese or English equivalent. They are also known as the Precious Hall of the Great Hero, the Hall of Great Strength, or the Daxiongbao Hall. Less often, a main hall is called an "adytum", after the equivalent area in Greek temple, Greco-Roman temples. It is also sometimes misunderstood as the "Great, Powerful, and Precious Palace".. Description Mahavira Hall is the main hall of a Buddhist temple. It is generally located in th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Leigong
Leigong () or Leishen (), is the god of thunder in Chinese folk religion, Chinese mythology and Taoism. In Taoism, when so ordered by heaven, Leigong punishes both earthly mortals guilty of secret crimes and evil spirits who have used their knowledge of Taoism to harm human beings. He carries a drum and mallet to produce thunder, and a chisel to punish evildoers. Leigong rides a chariot driven by a young boy named A Xiang. Since Leigong's power is thunder, he has assistants capable of producing other types of heavenly phenomena. Leigong's wife Dianmu is the goddess of lightning, who is said to have used flashing mirrors to send bolts of lightning across the sky. Other companions are Yun Tong ("Cloud Youth"), who whips up clouds, and Yu Shi ("Rain Master") who causes downpours by dipping his sword into a pot. Roaring winds rush forth from a type of goatskin bag manipulated by Fengbo (deity), Fengbo ("Earl of Wind"), who was later transformed into Feng Po Po ("Lady Wind"). Iconog ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Zi Wei Emperor
The Great Emperor of the North Star,). also called the Ziwei Emperor. and the Beiji Emperor,; full title: Lord of the North Pole at the center of Heaven ( zh, c=北極中天星主, p=Běijí Zhōngtiān Xingzhu). is one of the highest sky deities and one of the Four Sovereigns (; ) of Taoism. Chinese mythology The Ziwei Emperor resides in the middle of Heaven and assists the Jade Emperor in administrative duties of Heaven and Earth; Sun and Moon; four seasons and weather. He commands all deities of constellations, mountains, and rivers. He is the highest deity in charge of all the natural phenomena in the universe. In Chinese culture and Chinese theology Chinese theology, which comes in different interpretations according to the Chinese classics and Chinese folk religion, and specifically Confucian, Taoist, and other philosophical formulations, is fundamentally monistic, that is to say it sees t ..., the Ziwei Emperor is also the symbol of the emperor in the human world. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kinnara
A kinnara (Sanskrit: Kiṃnara) is a creature from Hindu and Buddhist mythology. They are described as part human and part bird, and have a strong association with music and love. Believed to come from the Himalayas, they often watch over the well-being of humans in times of trouble or danger. An ancient Indian string instrument is known as the Kinnari vina. Their character is also clarified in the ''Adi Parva'' of the ''Mahabharata'', where they say: They are featured in a number of Buddhist texts, including the Jataka tales and Lotus Sutra. In Southeast Asian Buddhist mythology, kinnaris, the female counterpart of kinnaras, are depicted as half-bird, half-woman creatures. One of the many creatures that inhabit the mythical Himavanta, kinnaris have the head, torso, and arms of a woman and the wings, tail and feet of a swan. They are renowned for their dance, song and poetry, and are a traditional symbol of feminine beauty, grace and accomplishment. Edward H. Schaf ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sāgara (Dragon King)
Sāgara is a prominent nāgarāja or dragon king in Mahayana Buddhism. His name comes from the Sanskrit word meaning “ocean.” Character Sāgara is listed among the and is one of sixteen that are spared from the assault of the garudas. His frequent inclusion of Sāgara among the several groups of protective deities in Buddhism is a direct reference to the nāgas and his role as one of their primary leaders. He is listed among the 28 guardians of the thousand-armed Avalokiteśvara. The Avataṃsaka Sūtra reveals that he is the nāga that presides over the world's supply of rain. In East Asian art, he is often depicted with a reddish white complexion and assumes a posture of great authority. In his left hand he holds a snake or dragon and in his right hand he wields a sword. He wears a crown that consists of five snakes. Undersea Palace Sāgara's palace lays at the bottom of the ocean and is the setting of several Mahayana sutras. It is 84,000 yojanas in length and width w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
