The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sadhanamala and Other Cognate Tantric Texts of Rituals c21.s3: (III) Twelve Bhūmis
The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sādhanamālā and Other Cognate Tāntric Texts of Rituals c21.s3
- Language
- English
Contents
- c21.s3.t1 3. Vimalā — 7 parts
- c21.s3.t2 4. Prabhākarī — 6 parts
- c21.s3.t3 5. Arciṣmatī — 5 parts
- c21.s3.t4 6. Sudurjayā — 6 parts
- c21.s3.t5 7. Abhimukhī — 7 parts
- c21.s3.t6 8. Dūraṅgamā — 6 parts
- c21.s3.t7 9. Acalā — 7 parts
- c21.s3.t8 10. Sādhumatī — 7 parts
- c21.s3.t9 11. Dharmameghā — 5 parts
- c21.s3.t10 12. Samantaprabhā — 7 parts
(III) Twelve Bhūmis
c21.s3.1
In Buddhism the Bhūmis are recognized as different spiritual spheres through which a Bodhisattva moves in his quest for Buddhahood and omniscience. They are recognized as ten in number to which the Vajrayāna added two to make it twelve. As the Bodhisattva progresses in spiritual path, he develops certain special qualities which entitle him to move towards the higher Bhūmis. They are arranged one upon another in a regular order with the last at the top which when reached, makes the Bodhisattva equal to a Buddha and he attains omniscience.
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These Bhūmis or spiritual spheres also received the attention of Vajrayāna, and in no time they were deified, and were given different forms. Statues were prepared and many of them were found represented in China.
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These twelve Bhūmis are now described in the same order as given in the Dharmadhātuvāgīśvara Maṇḍala of the Niṣpannayogāvalī, They are two-armed and hold in the right hand the Vajra and in the left their own weapons or signs. (Dvādaśabhūmayo dvibhujā dakṣiṇe vajradhāriṇyo vāmena svasvacihnadharāḥ, p. 55).
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1. ADHIMUKTICARYĀ Colour—Red Arms—Two Symbol—Red Lotus
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The first of the twelve heavens is the Adhimukticaryā Bhūmi and is described in the following words in the Niṣpannayogāvalī:
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“Adhimukticaryābhūmiḥ padmaraktā raktapadmadharā”. NSP, p. 55
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“Adhimukticaryā Bhūmi is of the colour of a red lotus, and holds in her left hand the red lotus”.
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The right hand as usual holds the Vajra which is the common sign of all Bhūmi goddesses.
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She is not represented in the Chinese collection at Peiping.
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2. PRAMUDITĀ Colour—Red Arms—Two Symbol—Jewel
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The second goddess in the series of Bhūmi deities is Pramuditā. Her form is described in the following words:
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“Pramuditā raktā Cintāmaṇibhṛt”.
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“Pramuditā is red in colour and holds in her left hand the Cintā-maṇi jewel”.
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The right hand displays the Vajra which is the common sign.
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Her statue is found in the Chinese collection ¹.
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¹ Clark : TLP, II, p. 123
3. Vimalā
c21.s3.t1.1
Colour—White Arms—Two Symbol—White Lotus
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The third goddess in the series of Bhūmi deities is known as Vimalā and her form is described as under :
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“Vimalā śuklā śukla-kamaladharā”. NSP, p. 55
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“Vimalā is white in colour and holds in her left hand the white lotus”.
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The right holds the common symbol, the Vajra.
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Her statue is found in the Chinese collection ².
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² Clark : TLP, II, p. 123
4. Prabhākarī
c21.s3.t2.1
Colour—Red Arms—Two Symbol—Sun on Lotus
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The fourth goddess in the series of Bhūmi deities is Prabhākarī whose form is described in the following words :
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“Prabhākarī raktā viśvapadamasthasūryamaṇḍaladharā” NSP, p. 55
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“Prābhākarī is red in colour and holds in her left hand the disc of the sun on a lotus”.
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The right hand shows the Vajra or the common symbol. This goddess is represented in the Chinese collection of Peiping ³.
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³ Clark : TLP, II, p. 123
5. Arciṣmatī
c21.s3.t3.1
Colour—Green Arms—Two Symbol—Blue Lotus
c21.s3.t3.2
The fifth goddess in the series of Bhūmi deities is called Arciṣmatī and her form is described in the Niṣpannayogāvalī as follows :
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“Arciṣmatī marakatavarṇā nīlotpaladharā”. NSP, p. 55 “Arciṣmatī is of the colour of an emerald and holds in her left hand the blue lotus”.
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The right holds the common symbol.
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She is not represented in the Chinese collection.
6. Sudurjayā
c21.s3.t4.1
Colour—Yellow Arms—Two Symbol—Emerald
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The sixth goddess in the series of Bhūmi deities is called Sudurjayā and her form is described as under :
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“Sudurjayā pītā utsaṅgasthottānapāṇinā marakatamaṇidharā”. NSP, p. 55
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“Sudurjayā is yellow in colour and carries an emerald on her open palm on the lap”
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The right holds the common symbol, the Vajra.
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She is not represented in the Chinese collection.
7. Abhimukhī
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Colour—Yellow Arms—Two Symbol—Manuscript
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The seventh goddess in the series is called Abhimukhī. She is described as follows :
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“Abhimukhī hemavarṇā padmopari Prajñāpāramitāpustakadharā”. NSP, p. 55
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“Abhimukhī is of the colour of gold and holds on a lotus the Prajñāpāramitā manuscript”.
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The right hand displays the common symbol.
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A statuette of this goddess is found in China ¹.
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¹ Clark : TLP, II, p. 121
8. Dūraṅgamā
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Colour—Green Arms—Two Symbol—Double Vajra on Double Lotus.
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The eighth in the series of Bhūmi goddesses is known by the name of Dūraṅgamā and is described as follows :
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“Dūraṅgamā gaganaśyāmā viśvapadmopari viśvavajradharā”. NSP, p. 55 “Dūraṅgamā is green like the sky and holds in her left hand the Viśvavajra (double thunderbolt) on a Viśvapadma (double conventional lotus).
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The right hand displays the common symbol.
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A statuette of this goddess is found in China ¹.
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¹ Clark : TLP, II, p. 118
9. Acalā
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Colour—White Arms—Two Symbol—Vajra on Lotus
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The name of the ninth goddess in the series of Bhūmi deities is Acalā whose form is described thus :
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“Acalā śaraccandrābhā candrasthapañcasūcikavajrāṅkitapaṅkajasya nālaṁ sagarvaṁ vibhrati”. NSP, p. 52
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“Acalā is of the colour of the moon in autumn, and holds with pride in her left hand the stalk of a lotus over which is placed the five-thonged Vajra on the disc of the moon”.
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The right hand displays the common weapon, the Vajra.
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Her statue is found in China ².
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² Clark : TLP, II, p. 118
10. Sādhumatī
c21.s3.t8.1
Colour—White Arms—Two Symbol—Sword on Lotus
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The tenth deity in the series of Bhūmi goddesses is Sādhumatī. Her form is described thus :
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“Sādhumatī sitā khaḍgāṅkitotpaladharā” NSP, p. 55
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“Sādhumatī is white in colour and holds in her left hand the sword on a night lotus”.
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The right hand holds the common weapon, the Vajra.
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A statuette of this deity is found in China ³.
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³ Clark : TLP, II, p. 118
11. Dharmameghā
c21.s3.t9.1
Colour—Blue Arms—Two Symbol—Manuscript
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The eleventh goddess in the series of Bhūmi deities is Dharmameghā whose form is described in the following words :
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“Dharmameghā dharmameghaparikalita-Prajñāpāramitāpustakadharā”. NSP, p. 55 “Dharmameghā holds in her left hand the Prajñāpāramitā manuscript which is composed of the clouds of Dharma”.
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A statuette of this goddess is found in China ¹. Fig. 223 illustrates this Chinese specimen.
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¹ Clark : TLP, II, p. 118.
12. Samantaprabhā
c21.s3.t10.1
Colour—Red Arms—Two Symbol—Image of Amitābha
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The twelfth and the last in the series of Bhūmi goddesses is Samantaprabhā. Her form is as follows :
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“Samantaprabhā madhyāhnādityavarṇā padmopari samyaksambodhisūcaka-Amitābha-Buddhabimbadharā”. NSP, p. 56
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“Samantaprabhā is of the colour of the sun at noon, and holds in her left hand the image of Amitābha Buddha which indicates Perfect Enlightenment”.
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The right hand displays the common symbol, the Vajra.
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A statue of this goddess is found in China ².
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² Clark : TLP, II, p. 118.
Cites (1)
- Niṣpannayogāvalī — Abhayākaragupta, Sanskrit