The shaven-headed Buddha and Avalokiteshvara Prenatal Education

 

The shaven-headed Buddha and Avalokiteshvara Prenatal Education 

Featured below is what the two Great Monks learned while personally meeting and speaking with the Buddhas in the Absolute Realm in Selflessness (the Lotus Treasury Realm) — the place in which the Buddhas abide — after attaining Buddhahood themselves. These teachings are new and surprising revelations not found in any previous sutras or Buddhist texts. 

 

The shaven-headed Buddha abiding in the Absolute Realm 

The statues of the Buddha enshrined by Hyonjisa of Yongsan Buddhism display the Buddha with his head cleanly shaved.

This is to capture the appearance of the Reward Body of Shakyamuni Buddha, which is made of light and bears the thirty-two marks of a holy man. It is he who returned to his Buddha-body in the Absolute Realm after entering Parinirvana, and he who was responsible for saving and converting sentient beings both in and outside the phenomenal world.   

The two masters — both of whom attained Buddhahood — have witnessed that all Buddhas abide in the Absolute Realm in Selflessness in the state of suchness, and have heard their teachings on the Dharma firsthand. They had the statues of the many Buddhas, as well as the Five Tathagata Buddhas, made in the image of the Buddha who abides in the Absolute Realm, so that Buddhists may receive blessings by praying to these statues.

The image of Buddha with his hair shaved — which cannot be found in this country or any temple in the Saha world other than Hyonjisa — speaks volumes to the profound thoughts of Yongsan Buddhism and the New Buddhism of the 21st century. 

To visit, praise, pay homage, make offerings, and bow to such genuine images of the Buddha will create the utmost merit and virtue. 

Introduction to the Buddhas

 

The appearance of Shakyamuni Buddha’s manifested form:

 

· His head is always neatly shaved.

· When he moves, his gait is as if a large mountain is moving.

· He has the most exquisite voice; it is exceptionally beautiful and warm-hearted and beyond description.

· His every action reveals the highest level of compassion.

· He always wears a long, golden robe and a red kasaya robe made of 108 pieces 

(other Buddhas appear wearing red Dharma clothing made of 32 pieces).

· Although he has been alive for eons as incalculable as all the atoms in the universe, his physical features still resemble someone in their fifties.

· The physical features of the Five Tathagata Buddhas are as though they are in their early fifties, and they wear robes made of 55 pieces of cloth.

· The features of other Buddhas are as though they are in their forties, and they wear robes made of 32 pieces of cloth. 

- Excerpted from “The 21st Century, Buddha’s Message I”

The Five Tathagata Buddhas 

The Five Tathagata Buddhas refer to the five Buddhas : Shakyamuni Buddha, Prabhutaratna Buddha, the Medicine Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and Bo-myong Buddha (listed in the order of their Buddhahood). 

Vairocana Buddha of Pure Dharma Body 

Vairocana Buddha is the Dharma body of Shakyamuni Buddha and the Dharma body of all Buddhas in the Threefold Great Thousand World System. 

“Vairocana” is translated as “the universally illuminating light,” meaning that the Immeasurable Light of the Buddha shines far and wide, ever-present in the Dharma Realm of the universe. He is the universal Body of light, that which shines like a sun throughout the Dharma Realm of the universe at all times.

When Vairocana Buddha conducts any universally significant work, all other Buddhas enter into his Buddha-body, combining into one entity. At such times, Vairocana Buddha becomes a universal Buddha-body possessing human character, displaying powers equal to those of the Creator, and that transcends any imagination.

Vairocana Buddha is foremost among the Buddhas enshrined in Hyonjisa, and is the principal Buddha – he who is most highly revered and worshiped.

Shakyamuni Buddha

  The Buddha entered nirvana some 2600 years ago. Since this time, he has returned to the Absolute Realm in Selflessness, uniting with the Complete Body of Bliss - Nosana Buddha - which is his original body. He now abides there in true suchness as Nosana Buddha.

Nosana Buddha, who is the original body of Shakyamuni Buddha, is the very first Buddha. He saves sentient beings as the King of Jambudvipa, and is the King in the Dharma Realm of the universe.

He also teaches and saves Bodhisattvas, sometimes preaching the Dharma in his Pure Land, which exists above Vulture Peak in India.

Presently Nosana Buddha abides at Hyonjisa, so that he can lead his two disciples towards the attainment of Buddhahood, and then take them to the Realm of the Reward Body Buddha (The Lotus Treasury Realm).

He is the Buddha of all Buddhas and their teacher. He possesses the ultimate authority and power to eliminate the karmic hindrances of sentient beings.

The Buddha of 

Or Manjushri Bodhisattva of Great Wisdom 

Manjushri Bodhisattva serves Shakyamuni Buddha as his left-hand attendant, teaching and saving sentient beings, and is especially eminent in his wisdom and eloquence. 

He is well known as a Bodhisattva. Actually, he is a great Buddha who attained Buddhahood seven times and attained Buddhahood following the Five Tathagata Buddhas. 

The “Five Tathagata Buddhas” refers to the five Buddhas in order of their respective attainment of Buddhahood – that is, Shakyamuni Buddha, Prabhutaratna Buddha, Medicine Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and Bo-myong Buddha.

Manjushri Bodhisattva serves as a teacher for all Buddhas in the Dharma Realm of the universe who have attained Buddhahood after him.

 

Chongjonghang Wang Buddha 

Or Samantabhadra Bodhisattva of Great Practices

(Chongjonghang Wang Bul, Daehang, Bohyon Bosal)

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva serves Shakyamuni Buddha as his right-hand attendant. He teaches and converts sentient beings, and is especially eminent in his earnest wish to spread the Buddha’s teachings far and wide and in the power of his vows to save all sentient beings.

He is renowned among Buddhists for his Ten Great Vows for Buddhist practices. These ten great vows are the highest practices that any Bodhisattva must follow to become a Buddha, and are the virtues which any Buddhist must put into practice. He helps and leads Buddhists so that they can put into practice the teachings of the Buddha.

 

Prabhutaratna Tathagata Buddha

(Dabo Yeorae Bul)

Prabhutaratna Tathagata Buddha was the second Buddha to attain Buddhahood, following Shakyamuni Buddha. He is the Most High in the Dharma Realm of the universe and is equally revered in status as Shakyamuni Buddha. 

His left and right-hand attendants are Yuri Wang Buddha or Chongjong Bodhisattva and Sangwon Wang Buddha or Boseung Bodhisattva, both of whom assist him in the work of teaching and saving sentient beings.

Although he abides in the Lotus Treasury Realm, he teaches and saves Bodhisattvas in his Pure Land, called Ratnavisuddha.

When there is a great Dharma talk of the Buddha - as is seen in the Lotus Sutra - he emerges out of the ground within the Tower of Prabhutaratna Tathagata and serves to prove the truth of the Buddha’s teachings. Within his tower, he stores a relic for each of the respective Buddhas. 

(Paintings depicting Prabhutaratna Tathagata Buddha and his left and right-hand attendant Buddhas, known as Yuri Wang Buddha or Chongjong Bodhisattva, and Sangwon Wang Buddha or Boseung Bodhisattva. Also shown are two additional illustrations displaying the numerous Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas who abide in Prabhutaratna Tower)

The Buddha King as the Mother of Seven Billion Buddhas 

Or Maha Cundi Bodhisattva

(Chiguji Bulmo Wang Bul, Daejunje Bosal)

Although Maha Cundi Bodhisattva was the third to attain Buddhahood following Shakyamuni Buddha, he has not been included as part of the Five Tathagata Buddhas because he conducts his role as the Mother of all Buddhas. 

His left-hand attendant is Bopsang Buddha or Jihye Bodhisattva, and his right-hand attendant is Gwonmosang Wang Buddha or Seunghang Bodhisattva. Maha Cundi Bodhisattva performs the Bodhisattva’s actions in the Saha world for the benefit of others, and is sometimes considered a manifestation of Avalokitesvara; however, the two are distinct Buddhas.

 

The Medicine Master and Crystal Light Tathagata Buddha

(Yaksa Yurigwang Yeorae Bul)

Medicine Tathagata Buddha abides in the Eastern Full-Moon Paradise. He teaches and saves the numerous Bodhisattvas of both the supreme stage and the utmost supreme stage. 

His left-hand attendant is Ilgwang (Sunlight) Buddha or Ilgwang Byonjo (Universally Shining Sunlight) Bodhisattva, and his right-hand attendant is Wolgwang (Moonlight) Buddha or Wolgwang Byonjo (Universally Shining Moonlight) Bodhisattva.

He is the Great King of Medicine, who has made the twelve great holy vows to eliminate the forms of suffering borne from the severe illnesses of sentient beings. When he conducts the Bodhisattva’s actions in the Saha world, he primarily engages himself in curing the suffering caused by the illnesses of sentient beings.

 When he performs surgical procedures, he brings medicine and medical instruments from his Pure Land, and elaborately performs internal and surgical forms of treatment, viewing the affected parts closely with the eyes of a Buddha. 

Rare, incurable diseases - those that even modern medical science cannot cure - are mostly karmic illnesses that one receives from their karmic retribution; Medicine Tathagata Buddha cures these karmic illnesses as well.

 

Amitabha Buddha

(Amita Bul)

 

Amitabha Buddha is one of the Five Tathagata Buddhas and acts to teach and save Bodhisattvas in the Western Pure Land (the Pure Land of Utmost Bliss). 

His left-hand attendant is Jongbop Myong Wang Buddha or Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and his right-hand attendant is Jongmyong Hangwon Buddha or Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva.

He made the vows in his former lives – the 48 Great Vows – to lead those Buddhists who have a strong faith in him and recite his name to the Pure Land of Utmost Bliss. In accordance with his original vows, he takes faithful Buddhists to the Western Pure Land, that place that is freed from transmigration. 

Amitabha Buddha also descends to the Saha world in person to save sentient beings who have a connection with him. If a Buddhist earnestly chants the sacred name of Amitabha Buddha, they can escape from suffering great misfortune; and when one dies, they will die peacefully in their sleep, and be able to be reborn in a deva realm. When one observes the precepts in purity and has a strong faith in a Buddha, they can be reborn in the Pure Land of Utmost Bliss (the Western Pure Land).

 (Note: The Pure Land of Utmost Bliss and the Western Pure Land are two different names denoting the same place; these two names are used interchangeably.)

Jongbop Myong Wang Buddha 

Or Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva of Great Compassion

(Jongbop Myong Wang Bul, Daebi, Gwanseum Bosal)

Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva is a Buddha who attained Buddhahood many kalpas ago.

He serves as the left-hand attendant of Amitabha Buddha of the Western Pure Land. His Buddha name is Jongbop Myong Wang Buddha; and his left and right-hand attendants are Haesu-gwaneum Bodhisattva and Yuk-gwaneum Bodhisattva, both of whom possess the capacities of a Buddha as Bodhisattvas of the utmost supreme stage.

Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva is a Buddha with the vows of great kindness and great compassion, pledging to free the sentient beings of the Saha world from their suffering. Also, he has the power of his original vows – he would lead those practitioners who chant his sacred name in the Saha world to the Realm of Utmost Bliss. 

When he conducts the Bodhisattva’s actions in the Saha world to save sentient beings, he mostly manifests by taking the appearance of a woman. 

Jongmyong Hangwon Buddha 

Or Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva of Great Renunciation

 (Jongmyong Hangwon Bul, Daesa, Daeseji Bosal)

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva is the right-hand attendant of Amitabha Buddha, and helps him in teaching and saving sentient beings. His Buddha name is Jongmyong Hangwon Buddha. 

He embraces those who recite the name of the Buddha in the Saha world and leads them to the Western Pure Land. In particular, he conducts the role of protecting Buddhists who practice the recitation of the Buddha’s name from the obstruction of Demon Mara. 

Bo-myong Tathagata Buddha who supervises the Dharma Treasure

(Bopbo-gwanjang, Bo-myong Yeorae Bul)

Bo-myong Tathagata Buddha is one of the Five Tathagata Buddhas. He supervises the Dharma Treasure (the preachings of the Dharma which were delivered by the Buddhas). He is also responsible for declaring to the Dharma Realm the fact that one has become a Buddha following their attainment of Buddhahood. 

His left-hand attendant is Sajawon Buddha or Bojang Bodhisattva, and his right-hand attendant is Jang-om Seung Buddha or Wonreog Bodhisattva.

Bo-myong Tathagata Buddha supervises the fortunes of sentient beings in the Saha world and commands the great dragon king gods of the seas and large bodies of water.

Hyewideung Wang Buddha

Or Maitreya Bodhisattva

(Hyewideung Wang Bul, Miruk Bosal)

Maitreya Bodhisattva - also known as Hyewideung Wang Buddha - is a Buddha who attained Buddhahood three times in the Saha world.

His left-hand attendant is Daehangsong Bodhisattva, and his right-hand attendant is Daewonhang Bodhisattva.

Maitreya Bodhisattva abides within the Inner Palace of Tushita Heaven, which is fourth from the bottom of the six heavens in the Realm of Desire. Maitreya Buddha was present in the Saha world at the time of the assembly of the Buddha 2600 years ago. He reentered the Saha world during the time of Asanga Bodhisattva of India, some 900 years after the passing of the Buddha. He will come to the Saha world again approximately 3000 years into the Buddhist Era.

Sibang Yeorae Buddha 

Or Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva

(Sibang Yeorae Bul, Jijang Bosal)

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is a Buddha who attained Buddhahood many long kalpas ago, as Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva had done.

 His Buddha name is Sibang Yeorae Buddha. His left-hand attendant is Sonhangjang Bodhisattva, and right-hand attendant is Jawonhang Bodhisattva.

 He actively assists Shakyamuni Buddha in teaching and saving the sentient beings of the Saha world, and supervises the Court of the Deceased, as well as the hells of the Saha world. 

The Court of the Deceased is where those who have died in the Saha world are judged, and the place where it is decided where they will go after death, such as the Deva realms, hells, etc. 

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva made great vows to save sentient beings, especially those suffering in the hells, as well as those in the three evil paths. So, because of these great vows, he is regarded as the most respected of the Buddhas.

 

Sanwang Buddha Who Abide in the Summit of Mount Sumeru 

(Sumisanjong, Sanwang Bul)

Sanwang Buddha abides atop the summit of Mount Sumeru and supervises the mountain kings of large mountains in the Saha world. His left-hand attendant is Sansong Bodhisattva, and his right-hand attendant is Samhang Bodhisattva. He supervises the fortunes of sentient beings, along with Bo-myong Tathagata Buddha and Tejaprabha Tathagata Buddha. So, when one has firm faith in him, one will receive his blessed virtues and be protected from misfortunes and disaster. Sanwang Buddha’s distinct role as a Buddha is to especially fulfill the urgent wishes of those who believe in and follow him.

Tejaprabha Tathagata Buddha in the Precious World of the Golden Wheel

(Geumnyunbogye, Chisong-gwang Yeorae Bul)

Tejaprabha Tathagata Buddha is the Buddha who commands kings of numerous stars, the Seven Original Kings of the Stars and all their followers.

His left-hand attendant is Ilgwang (Sunlight) Bodhisattva, and his right-hand attendant is Wolgwang (Moonlight) Bodhisattva. 

Gwangmyong Buddha

(Gwangmyong Bul) 

Gwangmyong Buddha is the Buddha name of Great Monk Gwangmyong Manduk of Hyonjisa.

Great Monk Gwangmyong Manduk was Venerable Kasyapa, who was present at the time of the assembly of the Buddha some 2600 years ago. She has gained a Buddha Body in this lifetime and since attained Buddhahood.

Her left and right-hand attendants are Myongsang Buddha or Muhyon Bodhisattva and Hwagwang Buddha or Mohyon Bodhisattva. Previously, in the times of Shakyamuni Buddha, these attendants were Venerable Subhuti and Shariputra.

Sanhahye Jajae Tong Wang Buddha

(Sanhahye Jajae Tong Wang Bul)

Jajae Tong Wang Buddha is the Buddha name of Great Monk Jajae Manhyon of Hyonjisa.

He was Venerable Ananda, who was present at the time of the assembly of the Buddha some 2600 years ago. Alongside Great Monk Gwangmyong Manduk, he entered into the fervent practice of the recitation of the Buddha’s sacred name and has attained Buddhahood by virtue of the awesome spiritual powers of the Buddha.  

His left and right-hand attendants are Sanghang Wang Bodhisattva and Jonghang Wang Bodhisattva, who were highest among the Bodhisattvas-Mahasattvas appearing in the Lotus Flower Sutra.

Daewon Myo-eum Wang Buddha 

Or Hyonji Bodhisattva

(Daewon Myo-eum Wang Bul, Hyonji Bosal)

Hyonji Bodhisattva was one of the 16 great Arhats present at the time of the assembly of Shakyamuni Buddha some 2600 years ago. 

His left and right-hand attendants are Pyongdeung Wang Bodhisattva and Anrak-hang Bodhisattva, both of whom are Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas.

 

The Multiple Divine Guardians of Avatamsaka 

The Multiple Divine Guardians are the guardian deities who safeguard and spread the teachings of the Buddha, which are the universal truth. 

They consist of those among the guardian deities who converted to the teachings of the Buddha – that is, the mountain gods, dragon kings, earth gods, etc., of folk beliefs.

They came to be called the Multiple Divine Guardians of Avatamsaka, and this title is derived from the various kinds of Buddhist guardian deities appearing in the Chapter of the Wonderful Adornments of the Leaders of the Worlds of the Avatamsaka Sutra.

In existing Buddhism, the number of the Multiple Divine Guardians is described as consisting of 104 groups. Six groups of guardian deities have further taken refuge in Buddhism since the two Great Monks of Hyonjisa attained Buddhahood, so the present number of groups comprising the Multiple Divine Guardians of Avatamsaka is 110.