Bodhisattva Samantabhadra's Ten Practices

Samantabhdra is a popular Mahayana Buddhist Bodhisattva. He is also known as the Bodhisattva of Great Activity. A Bodhisattva is a "Buddha-to-be," and helps sentient beings along the path to enlightenment.

There are four main sutras in the Pure Land Buddhist tradition: the Sukhavati sutra, the Larger Sukhavati sutra, the Amitabha Meditation sutra, and the vows of Samantabhdra. These are all found in the 49th volume if the "Scared Books of the East" published by the Oxford University Press, London. The Vows of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra wasn't translated into English until about 11 hundred years ago.

The smaller and larger Sukhavati sutras and Meditation sutra deal with the Bodhisattva Dharmakara. Dharmakara made 48 vows to save all sentient beings in his land called Sukhavati. The Bodhisattva became Buddha Amitabha and is the main Buddha of the Pure Land Buddhist tradition.

Bodhisattva Samantabhadra made 62 vows to help sentient beings. In the Avatamsaka, "the flower garland", sutra there are over 700,000 Chinese characters written on 81 rolls of bamboo. Avatamsaka is the longest sutra in Mahayana Buddhism. It also is very important and referred to as "the king of kings" in Buddhist literature.

Samantabhadra listed ten great vows or practices to follow. These practices create merit and virtue helping one to become closer to enlightenment. These ten practices are:

1. Pay homage and respect to all of the Buddhas. Bowing is a good example of showing respect to the Buddhas.

2. Praise all of the Buddhas. Reciting Buddhist Sutras and mantra are a good examples of praising the Buddhas. "Namo Amitabha Buddha" is a mantra that assures rebirth in the Pure Land, if said as little as ten times.

3.Make abundant offerings to the Buddhas. Offering candles, water, or vegetarian food are good items to give the Buddhas.

4. Repent misdeeds and evil actions. Asking for forgiveness and determined to correct wrong behavior is sufficient for this practice.

5. Rejoice in others' merits and virtues. Smile and be happy at other's good fortunes.

6. Request the Buddhas to teach. Take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

7. Request the Buddhas to remain in this world. Ask the Buddhas for help.

8.Follow the Buddha's teachings at all times. Try your best to live according to Buddhist teachings.

9. Accommodate and benefit all living beings (follow the Bohisattva path). Try not to harm any living being.

10. Transfer all merits and virtues to all sentient beings. Repeat, "I dedicate all my merits that I've earned to all sentient beings. May I be reborn in Amitabha's Pure Land.."

The reason to vow to be reborn in Amitabha's Pure Land is because Sukhavati is the perfect environment to become a Buddha. The three other Pure Land sutras state how, what, when, and why Amitabha's Pure Land is the best. All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas wish to be born in his land. Samantabhadra helps to make the proper conditions to get there. Practicing these ten steps consist of faith, vows, and practice and is a sure way to become a Buddha in Amitabha's land.

Source: buddhistinformation.com