Exploring the Eight Close Sons, the Eight Offering Goddesses, and the Path to Enlightenment
The Eight Great Bodhisattvas stand as the primary manifestations of Buddha's enlightened activity, wisdom, and compassion to guide sentient beings. Known in Sanskrit as the asta utaputra and in Tibetan as nyewe se gye, these figures are often referred as the "Eight Close Sons" or "Eight Great Heroes". While they are frequently depicted in male forms, the sources emphasize that they are not limited by form and can manifest in both male and female aspects to suit the needs of practitioners. These are not individual figures; they are surrounded by Eight Female Bodhisattvas, also called the Eight Offering Goddesses, who symbolize the purity of sensory objects and perfection of the various virtues. These sixteen deities are collectively known as a complete mandala of the enlightened awareness and activity.
The Foundations of the Bodhisattva Path
A Bodhisattva (translated as "awakening being") is an individual who has generated Bodhichitta, the promise that cannot be broken to attain enlightenment, not self-centered, but to liberate all sentient beings from suffering. Unlike a Buddha, who represents the completion of enlightenment, a Bodhisattva embodies the active, compassionate path toward that state.
The term defines a unified state of Prajna (wisdom/insight) and Karuna (universal compassion). While transcendental Bodhisattvas have attained Buddhahood, they postpone their entry into final nirvana to act as teachers to both Sravakas and Pratyekabuddhas. To achieve this state, a Bodhisattva follows the path of the Paramitas (perfections), including generosity (dana), morality (sila), patience (kshanti), and energy (virya).
The Eight Great Bodhisattvas specifically represent the pure state of the eight consciousnesses and are designations of the eight directions. They are the personification of the Buddha’s wisdom, compassion, power, activity, merit, qualities, blessings, and aspirations. Collectively, they represent the Eightfold Path and the pure state of the eight consciousnesses.
The Eight Great Male Bodhisattvas:
Manjushri: The Personification of Transcendent Wisdom
Manjushri represents Prajna, the luminous, primordial wisdom that cuts through the fog of ignorance and delusion. His name means "Gentle Glory," and he is often referred to as Manjughosha, or "Gentle Voice".
- Iconography: Manjushri is typically depicted holding a flaming sword in his right hand to sever ignorance, and a lotus in his left hand supporting the Prajnaparamita Sutra, signifying the union of wisdom and compassion.
- Qualities: He embodies the "Right Understanding" (samma ditthi) of the Eightfold Path and the Buddha's "Mirror-like pristine awareness".
- Forms: Though he is one of the "Close Sons," he is considered the male aspect of the goddess Prajnaparamita. He also manifests in wrathful forms like Yamantaka (the foe of Death) and healing forms like Black Manjushri.
Avalokiteshvara: The Lord of Infinite Compassion
In East Asia, he is referred to as Guanyin or Kuan Shi Yin, whereas in Tibet, he is called Chenrezig, but is also known as Avalokiteshvara, or the one who hears the cries of the world. He is also probably the most well-known among all Bodhisattvas and the embodiment of the body of words of Buddha and the virtue of compassion.
- Iconography: He has various iconographic forms such as the four-armed Chenrezig and the 1,000 armed Avalokiteshvara.
- Qualities: He demonstrates Karuna (compassion) and "Right Speech" on the Eightfold Path.
- Male and Female Aspects: Avalokiteshvara is widely practiced in female forms, such as Guanyin, illustrating that compassion has many faces. Additionally, the female Bodhisattva Tara is said to have risen from his tears of compassion.
Vajrapani: The Embodiment of Enlightened Power
Vajrapani represents the Buddha's capacity and power. He is the "Vajra Holder" and is often seen as the fierce protector of the Buddha and the guardian of sacred texts.
- Iconography: He is typically shown in a wrathful form, surrounded by flames and holding a vajra (thunderbolt), which symbolizes the indestructible power of enlightenment that destroys delusion.
- Qualities: He exemplifies "Right Action". In the Pali Suttas, he appeared over the Buddha's head to protect him from a spiteful Brahmin, threatening to split the man's head if he did not answer the Buddha's questions.
- Role: While he represents "Body" and power, he is equally wise and compassionate. He is the spiritual strength that supports Manjushri’s wisdom and Avalokiteshvara’s compassion.
Maitreya: The Future Buddha and Loving-Kindness
Maitreya is the Bodhisattva of loving-kindness (Metta or Maitri) and is predicted to be the next Buddha of our world when the present teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha have vanished.
- Iconography: He is normally portrayed sitting upright, having his legs on the ground, indicating that he is ready to stand and work in the world. He stays now in Tushita Heaven.
- Qualities: He personifies the Buddha's activity and "Right Effort".
- Role: His presence is meant to inspire hope, warmth, and the renewal of the Dharma.
Kshitigarbha: The Earth Store Bodhisattva
Kshitigarbha is the Bodhisattva of Great Vows and is renowned for his promise to rescue beings from the hell realms. He vowed not to achieve Buddhahood until all hells were empty.
- Iconography: He is often portrayed as a monk with a shaven head, carrying a staff (Kakkhara) to open the gates of hell and a wish-fulfilling jewel to illuminate the darkness.
- Qualities: He represents the Buddha's merit and the richness of the earth. He is associated with "Right Livelihood" and protection against natural disasters.
- Role: He is invoked for the protection of children, travelers, and the deceased.
Akashagarbha: The Boundless Space of Wisdom
Akashagarbha (the "Nucleus of Space") represents the Buddha's blessings and the limitless potential of the mind.
- Iconography: Usually blue or green, he holds a sword similar to Manjushri’s, representing wisdom.
- Qualities: He has the perfect ability to purify transgressions and "Right Concentration". He represents a mind that is infinite, luminous, and unstained.
- Role: He is invoked to enhance intelligence, creativity, and pure conduct, and to clear mental confusion.
Samantabhadra: The Bodhisattva of Universal Virtue
Samantabhadra represents the perfection of practice, meditation, and the Buddha’s aspirations.
- Iconography: He is often shown in yab-yum (sacred union) with his consort, the female Bodhisattva Samantabhadri, representing the inseparable union of wisdom and compassion.
- Qualities: He is an expert in making offerings and prayers of aspiration, exemplifying "Right Thought". He is famous for his ten great vows, which include honoring all Buddhas and benefiting all living beings.
- Role: He embodies the active application of Buddhist vows, meditation, and compassion in everyday practice.
Sarvanivaranavishkambhin: The Remover of Obstacles
Sarvanivaranavishkambhin (often shortened to Vishkambhin) personifies the Buddha’s qualities and the purification of mental and karmic obstructions.
- Iconography: In thangka art, he completes the circle of the Eight Bodhisattvas, signifying the total purification of the practitioner's inner and outer worlds.
- Qualities: His name means "He who blocks all of the hindrances". He purifies wrong-doing, doubt, pride, and attachment, exemplifying "Right Mindfulness".
- Role: He removes all mental obstacles and hindrances to purify the mind, enabling a successful, focused practice.
The Eight Female Bodhisattvas: Goddesses of the Mandala
The Eight Female Bodhisattvas (Tib. changchub semma gye) are also known as the eight offering goddesses. Symbolically, they represent the pure state of sense objects and the four phases of conceptual thought (past, present, future, and indeterminate). These goddesses are frequently shown in union with the eight male Bodhisattvas to represent the primordial union of wisdom and compassion.
The Inner Offering Goddesses
These four goddesses represent the practical experience of the yogic union of the body and mind.
1. Lasya (Goddess of Beauty): The consort of Kshitigarbha. She is white in color, holds a mirror and a bell, and symbolizes the purity of visual phenomena. She represents the perfection of giving.
2. Malya (Goddess of Garlands): The consort of Akashagarbha. She is yellow in color, holds a garland, and symbolizes the purity of indeterminate conceptual thoughts. She represents the perfection of morality.
3. Gita (Goddess of Song): The consort of Vajrapani. She is white in color, holds a Sitar or Lute, and symbolizes the purity of sound. She represents the perfection of forbearance.
4. Nritya (Goddess of Dance): The consort of Avalokiteshvara. She is green in color, symbolizes the purity of taste, and represents the perfection of vigor.
The Outer Offering Goddesses
These four goddesses represent the purification of emotions through service and compassion.
5. Dhupa (Goddess of Incense): The consort of Maitreya. She is yellow in color, holds incense, and symbolizes the purity of fragrance and the past. She represents the perfection of meditation.
6. Pushpa (Goddess of Flowers): The consort of Sarvanivaranavishkambhin. She is pearl white, holds a flower, and symbolizes the purity of the present and past conceptual thoughts. She represents the perfection of wisdom.
7. Aloka (Goddess of Light): The consort of Samantabhadra. She is pink/red, holds a butter lamp, and symbolizes the purity of the future. She represents the perfection of aspiration.
8. Gandha (Goddess of Perfume): The consort of Manjushri. She is green, holds a conch shell of perfume, and symbolizes the purity of the present and indeterminate time. She represents the perfection of means.
Conclusion
The Eight Offering Goddesses and the Eight Close Sons serve as a "living enlightenment" that radiates in all directions. Whether viewed as the "Eight Close Sons" or as universal symbols of the Buddha's mind, they provide a comprehensive path for the practitioner. By meditating on their forms, chanting their mantras, and emulating their qualities, practitioners aim to transform their own consciousness into the pure state represented by these eight heroes of compassion and wisdom.
The male Bodhisattvas depict the qualities of awakening of the mind-wisdom, compassion, strength, aspiration, vow, spacious awareness, virtuous conduct and obstacle clearing clarity. The female Bodhisattvas are used to complete this mandala by representing the cleansing of perception and action. They remind the practitioners that enlightenment does not exist outside the sensory world; but that it is the transformation of the ordinary sight, sound, thought, and experience to wisdom.
These 16 figures are the reflections of our potential on the way to enlightenment. The Eight Close Sons lead to inner practice of realization, whereas the Eight Offering Goddesses purify outer interaction with the world. They all demonstrate a great lesson: awakening is the harmonious union of perception and action, wisdom and compassion, mind and world.
