Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva
Aspiring all beings to vow to reborn to Amitabha’s Pure Land in this lifetime
Based on the Chapter 40 of the Avatamsaka Sutra, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra told Kumara Sudhana that he made Ten Great Vows in his path to Buddhahood. These ten vows lead to the Supreme, Perfect Enlightenment and the attainment of Buddhahood. Thus we learned that they are the practice of the highest-level bodhisattvas who have freed themselves from delusion.
These vows guide all beings, who embraced them into daily practice, to be reborn to Amitabha Buddha’s Pure Land in one lifetime. This sacred text of Chapter 40 was later designated as one of the Five Pure Land Sutras, as this sutra teachings aspire practitioners to vow to reborn to the Western Pure Land for the attainment of Perfect Enlightenment.
Samantabhadra, one of the principal Bodhisattvas, together with Manjusri Bodhisattva, are the two subordinates of the Tathagata (or Dhyani Buddha) Vairocana, that formed the Triple Saints of the Avatamsaka Sutra, is always on the right side of Buddha Sakyamuni.
Samanta means universal; Bhadra means sage; and Samantabhadra means the principle of universal love or compassion.
Samantabhadra, also known as the Universally Worthy Bodhisattva, is a Great Bodhisattva of the Tenth Stage, the Bodhisattva of Great Conduct, with particular quality representing cultivation and the practice of all Buddhas.
Samantabhadra usually poses with dignity on a six-tusked white elephant, holding a sword indicating the Law is the basis of wisdom.
Here’s the opening of Chapter 40 sutra text:
ON ENTERING THE INCONCEIVABLE STATE OF LIBERATION THROUGH
The Practices and Vows of The Bodhisattva Samantabhadra
When the Bodhisattva Mahasattva Samantabhadra having discoursed upon and praised the exalted merits and virtues of the Tathagata, He addressed the Celestial Youth Treasure of Merit Kumara Sudhana and a great company of Bodhisattvas as follows: O Noble-minded Man, the (infinite) merits and virtues of the Tathagata are so great and wonderful.
If such were preached by all the Buddhas of the ten directions who consecutively enumerated them during unspeakable and incalculable aeons in the Buddha-domains equal to the smallest dust-motes (in the atmosphere) in number, they could not thereby be exhausted.
If (there be any who) aspire to attain this high state of merit, (let them understand that) its realization depends upon the attainment of the Ten Great Vows: the vows of widest and highest aspiration and the actual practice of them.
And what are the Ten Great Vows? They are:
- To pay the highest homage and respect to all Buddhas.
- To preach (the virtue of) and to praise (the glory of) the Tathagatas.
- To make abundant offerings for the veneration to the Buddhas.
- To repent and confess one’s evil deeds and evil karma.
- To approve of and rejoice at the merits and virtues of others.
- To request the Buddhas to set in motion “The Wheel of Dharma”.
- To request the Buddhas to remain in the world.
- To be faithful follower of “The Teaching of the Buddhas” forever.
- To be always in harmony with all beings.
- To dedicate all of one’s merits to (benefit) all beings.
Anyone who follow Buddhist teachings should study and follow these ten great vows as the fundamental scope of practice in their daily lives.
Read also the poetic sonnet by Bodhisattva Samantabhadra after extolling the Ten Great Vows.
Resources:
The Practices & Vows of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, Chapter 40, Avatamsaka Sutra
