Difference between revisions of "Sambhogakaya"
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<poem> | <poem> | ||
The [[Sambhogakāya]] ([[Sanskrit]]: "[[Body]] of enjoyment" , Tib: longs.sku) is the second mode or aspect of the [[Trikaya]]. | The [[Sambhogakāya]] ([[Sanskrit]]: "[[Body]] of enjoyment" , Tib: longs.sku) is the second mode or aspect of the [[Trikaya]]. | ||
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| + | Sambhogakaya is defined as a 'form body' (rupakaya) of a buddha, which appears only to bodhisattvas and is the basis for the arising of the nirmanakaya. It is adorned with the major signs and minor marks. | ||
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| + | Sogyal Rinpoche writes: | ||
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| + | Sambhogakaya is the dimension of complete enjoyment, the field of total plenitude, beyond dualistic limitations and beyond space and time | ||
Definition | Definition | ||
Celestial manifestations | Celestial manifestations | ||
| − | The Sambhogakaya is a "subtle [[Body]] of limitless [[Form]]". Both "celestial" [[Buddhas]] such as | + | The Sambhogakaya is a "subtle [[Body]] of limitless [[Form]]". Both "celestial" [[Buddhas]] such as Bhaisajyaguru and [[Amitābha]], as well as advanced bodhisattvas such as [[Avalokitesvara]] and [[Manjusri]] can appear in a "enjoyment-[[Body]]. A [[Buddha]] can appear in an "enjoyment-[[Body]]" to teach bodhisattvas through visionary experiences. |
Those [[Buddhas]] and Bodhisattvas manifest themselves in their specific pure lands. These worlds are created for the benefits of others. In those lands it is easy to hear and practice [[THE DHARMA]]. A person can be reborn in such a [[Pure land]] by "the transfer of some of the huge stock of '[[Merit]]' of a Land's presiding [[Buddha]], stimulated by devout prayer. | Those [[Buddhas]] and Bodhisattvas manifest themselves in their specific pure lands. These worlds are created for the benefits of others. In those lands it is easy to hear and practice [[THE DHARMA]]. A person can be reborn in such a [[Pure land]] by "the transfer of some of the huge stock of '[[Merit]]' of a Land's presiding [[Buddha]], stimulated by devout prayer. | ||
| − | One of the places where the [[Sambhogakāya]] [[Body]] appears is the extra-cosmic realm or [[Pure land]] called | + | One of the places where the [[Sambhogakāya]] [[Body]] appears is the extra-cosmic realm or [[Pure land]] called Akaniṣṭha. This is one of the highest realms of the Śuddhāvāsa devas. |
| − | Absolutely seen, only the [[Dharmakaya]] is real; Sambhogakaya and | + | Absolutely seen, only the [[Dharmakaya]] is real; Sambhogakaya and Nirmanakaya are "provisional ways of talking about and apprehending it". |
Access by advanced practitioners | Access by advanced practitioners | ||
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[[Tibetan Buddhism]] | [[Tibetan Buddhism]] | ||
| − | There are numerous Sambhogakaya realms almost as numerous as Deities in [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. These Sambhogakaya-realms are known as [[Buddha-fields | + | There are numerous Sambhogakaya realms almost as numerous as Deities in [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. These Sambhogakaya-realms are known as [[Buddha]]-fields or Pure Lands. |
One manifestation of the Sambhogakaya in [[Tibetan Buddhism]] is the '[[Rainbow body]]' or jalus (Tibetan). This is where an advanced practitioner, shortly before [[Death]] is walled up in a cave or sewn inside a small yurt-like tent. For a period of a week or so after [[Death]] the practitioners' [[Body]] transforms into a Sambhogakaya [[Light]] [[Body]] leaving behind only [[Hair]] and nails. | One manifestation of the Sambhogakaya in [[Tibetan Buddhism]] is the '[[Rainbow body]]' or jalus (Tibetan). This is where an advanced practitioner, shortly before [[Death]] is walled up in a cave or sewn inside a small yurt-like tent. For a period of a week or so after [[Death]] the practitioners' [[Body]] transforms into a Sambhogakaya [[Light]] [[Body]] leaving behind only [[Hair]] and nails. | ||
| − | Namdak rendered by [[Vajranatha]] convey the relationship of the [[Mindstream]] ([[Sanskrit]]: [[Citta]] santana) of Sambhogakaya that links the [[Dharmakaya]] with the | + | Namdak rendered by [[Vajranatha]] convey the relationship of the [[Mindstream]] ([[Sanskrit]]: [[Citta]] santana) of Sambhogakaya that links the [[Dharmakaya]] with the Nirmanakaya. |
[[Chán]] [[Buddhism]] | [[Chán]] [[Buddhism]] | ||
In the [[Chán]] (禪) (Jp. [[Zen]]) tradition, the [[Sambhogakāya]] (Chin. 報身↔baoshen, lit. "retribution [[Body]]"), along with the [[Dharmakaya]] and the Nirmanakaya, are given metaphorical interpretations. | In the [[Chán]] (禪) (Jp. [[Zen]]) tradition, the [[Sambhogakāya]] (Chin. 報身↔baoshen, lit. "retribution [[Body]]"), along with the [[Dharmakaya]] and the Nirmanakaya, are given metaphorical interpretations. | ||
| − | In the [[ | + | In the Platform [[Sutra]] of the Sixth [[Patriarch]], Chan Master Huineng describes the Samboghakaya as a state in which the practitioner continually and naturally produces good thoughts: |
Think not of the past but of the future. Constantly maintain the future thoughts to be good. This is what we call the [[Sambhogakāya]]. | Think not of the past but of the future. Constantly maintain the future thoughts to be good. This is what we call the [[Sambhogakāya]]. | ||
Just one single [[Evil]] [[Thought]] could destroy the good [[Karma]] that has continued for one thousand years; and just one single good [[Thought]] in turn could destroy the [[Evil]] [[Karma]] that has lived for one thousand years. | Just one single [[Evil]] [[Thought]] could destroy the good [[Karma]] that has continued for one thousand years; and just one single good [[Thought]] in turn could destroy the [[Evil]] [[Karma]] that has lived for one thousand years. | ||
| − | If the future thoughts are always good, you may call this the [[Sambhogakāya]]. The [[ | + | If the future thoughts are always good, you may call this the [[Sambhogakāya]]. The discriminative [[Thinking]] arising from the [[Dharmakāya]] (法身↔fashen "[[Truth]] [[Body]]") is called the Nirmanakāya (化身↔huashen "[[Transformation body]]"). The successive thoughts that forever involve good are thus the [[Sambhogakāya]]. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
[[Category:Trikaya]] | [[Category:Trikaya]] | ||
Revision as of 20:47, 23 April 2013
The Sambhogakāya (Sanskrit: "Body of enjoyment" , Tib: longs.sku) is the second mode or aspect of the Trikaya.
Sambhogakaya is defined as a 'form body' (rupakaya) of a buddha, which appears only to bodhisattvas and is the basis for the arising of the nirmanakaya. It is adorned with the major signs and minor marks.
Sogyal Rinpoche writes:
Sambhogakaya is the dimension of complete enjoyment, the field of total plenitude, beyond dualistic limitations and beyond space and time
Definition
Celestial manifestations
The Sambhogakaya is a "subtle Body of limitless Form". Both "celestial" Buddhas such as Bhaisajyaguru and Amitābha, as well as advanced bodhisattvas such as Avalokitesvara and Manjusri can appear in a "enjoyment-Body. A Buddha can appear in an "enjoyment-Body" to teach bodhisattvas through visionary experiences.
Those Buddhas and Bodhisattvas manifest themselves in their specific pure lands. These worlds are created for the benefits of others. In those lands it is easy to hear and practice THE DHARMA. A person can be reborn in such a Pure land by "the transfer of some of the huge stock of 'Merit' of a Land's presiding Buddha, stimulated by devout prayer.
One of the places where the Sambhogakāya Body appears is the extra-cosmic realm or Pure land called Akaniṣṭha. This is one of the highest realms of the Śuddhāvāsa devas.
Absolutely seen, only the Dharmakaya is real; Sambhogakaya and Nirmanakaya are "provisional ways of talking about and apprehending it".
Access by advanced practitioners
Sambhogakaya also refers to the luminous Form of clear Light the Buddhist practitioner attains upon the reaching the highest dimensions of practice.
According to tradition, those skilled in Meditation, such as advanced Tibetan lamas and yogis, as well as other highly realized Buddhists, may gain access to the Sambhogakaya and receive direct transmission of Doctrine.
Tibetan Buddhism
There are numerous Sambhogakaya realms almost as numerous as Deities in Tibetan Buddhism. These Sambhogakaya-realms are known as Buddha-fields or Pure Lands.
One manifestation of the Sambhogakaya in Tibetan Buddhism is the 'Rainbow body' or jalus (Tibetan). This is where an advanced practitioner, shortly before Death is walled up in a cave or sewn inside a small yurt-like tent. For a period of a week or so after Death the practitioners' Body transforms into a Sambhogakaya Light Body leaving behind only Hair and nails.
Namdak rendered by Vajranatha convey the relationship of the Mindstream (Sanskrit: Citta santana) of Sambhogakaya that links the Dharmakaya with the Nirmanakaya.
Chán Buddhism
In the Chán (禪) (Jp. Zen) tradition, the Sambhogakāya (Chin. 報身↔baoshen, lit. "retribution Body"), along with the Dharmakaya and the Nirmanakaya, are given metaphorical interpretations.
In the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch, Chan Master Huineng describes the Samboghakaya as a state in which the practitioner continually and naturally produces good thoughts:
Think not of the past but of the future. Constantly maintain the future thoughts to be good. This is what we call the Sambhogakāya.
Just one single Evil Thought could destroy the good Karma that has continued for one thousand years; and just one single good Thought in turn could destroy the Evil Karma that has lived for one thousand years.
If the future thoughts are always good, you may call this the Sambhogakāya. The discriminative Thinking arising from the Dharmakāya (法身↔fashen "Truth Body") is called the Nirmanakāya (化身↔huashen "Transformation body"). The successive thoughts that forever involve good are thus the Sambhogakāya.
