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Maitreya Buddha
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Maitreya is derived from the word maitri (Sanskrit) meaning ‘loving-kindness’ and according to Buddhist eschatology, Maitreya Buddha is regarded as the future Buddha of this world which means He will be the successor of Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
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| In Buddhist and Taoist forklore tradition, many believed that an eccentric Chinese Zen monk, Budai, who lived during the Later Liang Dynasty (907-923 AD) of China, was an incarnation of the Maitreya Buddha. This was because he was a man of good and loving character and also of the Buddhist hymn which he sang before his death: - |
“Maitreya, the true Maitreya has billions of incarnations.
Often he is shoen to people at the time;
other times they do not recognize him.”
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Therefore, most statues of Maitreya Buddha which depict of a stout and laughing bald man in robes with a largely exposed pot belly stomach were based on Budai’s appearance and is also because of this jolly smile, Maitreya Buddha, is commonly known as the ‘Laughing Buddha’.
As Maitreya Buddha is a representation of contentment and abundance, His statue can often be found gracing in temples, restaurants and businesses.
One popular belief is that if one rubs the belly of Maitreya Buddha, it will bring forth wealth, good luck and prosperity and so on the 1st day of the Lunar Year which is the birthday of the Maitreya Buddha, devotees will gather at temples to pray and rub the belly of Maitreya Buddha, for wealth, good luck and prosperity in the new year. |
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Medicine Buddha
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Medicine Buddha is the common nickname of Bhaisajyaguru, also known as the Master of Healing. He is also depicted as one of the trinity of Buddhas, the others being the founder Gautama Buddha and the Amitabha of the Pure Land sect.
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| The Twelve Vows of the Medicine Buddha upon attaining Enlightenment, according to the Medicine Buddha Sutra are: |
To illuminate countless realms with his radiance, enabling others to become a Buddha;
To awaken the minds of sentient beings through his light of lapis lazuli;
To provide the sentient beings with whatever material needs they require;
To correct heretical views and inspire beings toward the path of Bodhisattava;
To help beings follow the Moral Precepts, even if they failed before;
To heal beings born with deformities, illness or other physical sufferings;
To help relieve the destitute and the sick;
To help women who wish to be reborn as men achieve their desired rebirth;
To help heal mental afflictions and delusions;
To help the oppressed be free from suffering.
To relieve those who suffer from terrible hunger and thirst;
To help clothe those who are destitute and suffering from cold and mosquitoes.
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As such, the veneration of Medicine Buddha is considered a powerful method not only for healing and increasing healing powers both for oneself and others, but also for
overcoming the inner sickness of attachment, hatred and ignorance.
It is also believed that mediating and reciting the Medicine Buddha Heart Mantra can help in healing of physical illnesses and purification of negative karma.
On 29th of the 9th Lunar Month which is Medicine Buddha’s birthday, blessing ceremonies will usually be conducted by temples for devotees to pray reverence. |
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Cundi Bodhisattva
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The word Cundi means Supreme Purity and Cundi Bodhisattva is one of the many forms of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. The common image of the Bodhisattva is one with eighteen arms and three eyes.
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The eighteen arms of the Bodhisattva represent the eighteen merits of attaining buddhahood. These are the eighteen uncommon qualities and her arms are the symbolic
expression of these secrets, endowed with the significance of profound principles. These qualities are: - |
His perfection of body;
His perfection of speech;
His perfection of memory;
His perfection of impartiality to all;
His serenity;
His self-sacrifice;
His unceasing desire to salvage sentient beings;
His unflagging zeal to salvage sentient beings;
His unfailing thought to salvage sentient beings;
The unceasing wisdom to salvage sentient beings;
The principle of the powers of deliverance;
Revealing perfect wisdom in deed;
Revealing perfect wisdom in word;
Revealing perfect wisdom in thought;
Perfect knowledge of the past;
Perfect knowledge of the future; and
Perfect knowledge of the present.
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| Beloved as a mother figure and divine mediatrix who is very close to the daily affairs of her devotees, ceremonies or celebrations will be conducted on Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s birthday (19th of the 2nd, 6th & 9th Lunar month) and Cundi Bodhisattva’s birthday (16th of the 3rd Lunar month) by temples so that devotees can worshipped her. |
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