Difference between revisions of "Bonji – Siddham"
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| − | + | “[[Bonji]]” refer to specific letters or characters in [[Sanskrit]], which is a [[language]] once spoken widely in {{Wiki|ancient India}}. [[Sanskrit]] was considered a very [[sacred]] [[language]], so much that it was used when transcribing [[sutras]], [[dharanis]] and [[mantras]] in [[Buddhism]], much like how {{Wiki|Latin}} is used in the liturgy of the {{Wiki|Catholic Church}}. | |
| − | In Shingon Buddhism, Kobo Daishi was transmitted the mantras through his master Huiguo Acharya in Tang Dynasty China. At the time, Siddham was the foremost script used to represent the Sanskrit language. To this day, Shingon Buddhism is one of the few Buddhist lineages that continues to utilize Siddham in text and sound. | + | In [[Shingon Buddhism]], [[Kobo Daishi]] was transmitted the [[mantras]] through his [[master]] [[Huiguo]] [[Acharya]] in [[Tang Dynasty]] [[China]]. At the time, [[Siddham]] was the foremost [[script]] used to represent the [[Sanskrit]] [[language]]. To this day, [[Shingon Buddhism]] is one of the few [[Buddhist]] [[lineages]] that continues to utilize [[Siddham]] in text and [[sound]]. |
| − | It is a trend to wear jewelry or beads that have specific Bonji carved on them. Each Bonji represents blessings and virtues of a Buddha or Bodhisattva. | + | It is a trend to wear jewelry or beads that have specific [[Bonji]] carved on them. Each [[Bonji]] represents [[blessings]] and [[virtues]] of a [[Buddha]] or [[Bodhisattva]]. |
| − | The followings are the chart of Bonji characters, a Buddha representing birth year, and the seed mantra of the Buddha. | + | The followings are the chart of [[Bonji]] characters, a [[Buddha]] representing [[birth]] year, and the seed [[mantra]] of the [[Buddha]]. |
[[File:Bonji_11.jpg|frameless|left|250px|]] | [[File:Bonji_11.jpg|frameless|left|250px|]] | ||
| − | '''One Thousand Arm Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva<br/> | + | '''One Thousand Arm [[Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva]]<br/> |
'''Year of Rat <br/> | '''Year of Rat <br/> | ||
| − | '''Hrih | + | '''[[Hrih]] |
| − | Lotus flowers come up from muddy water but they bloom beautifully. Their colors are not influenced by color of mud. We are also living in dirty world but One Thousand Arm Avalokitesvara guides us with her one thousand arms for us to live with pure heart. The mantra is “Om vajra dharma hrih.” | + | [[Lotus flowers]] come up from muddy [[water]] but they bloom beautifully. Their colors are not influenced by {{Wiki|color}} of mud. We are also living in dirty [[world]] but One Thousand Arm [[Avalokitesvara]] guides us with her one thousand arms for us to live with [[pure]] [[heart]]. The [[mantra]] is “Om [[vajra]] [[dharma]] [[hrih]].” |
[[File:Bonji_2.jpg|frameless|left|250px|]] | [[File:Bonji_2.jpg|frameless|left|250px|]] | ||
| − | '''Akasagarbha Bodhisattva<br/> | + | '''[[Akasagarbha Bodhisattva]]<br/> |
| − | '''Year of Ox and Tiger<br/> | + | '''Year of Ox and [[Tiger]]<br/> |
'''Trah | '''Trah | ||
| − | Akasagarbha Bodhisattva represents the infinite space of universe. He guides people by granting virtues, wisdom and compassion to people. The mantra is | + | [[Akasagarbha Bodhisattva]] represents the [[infinite space]] of [[universe]]. He guides [[people]] by granting [[virtues]], [[wisdom]] and [[compassion]] to [[people]]. The [[mantra]] is “[[Namo]] akasagarbhaya om [[arya]] camari mauli [[svaha]].” |
[[File:Bonji_3.jpg|frameless|left|250px|]] | [[File:Bonji_3.jpg|frameless|left|250px|]] | ||
| − | '''Manjusri Bodhisattva<br/> | + | '''[[Manjusri Bodhisattva]]<br/> |
| − | '''Year of Rabbit <br/> | + | '''Year of {{Wiki|Rabbit}} <br/> |
'''Mam | '''Mam | ||
| − | This Bodhisattva is considered as the foremost in wisdom. There is a famous proverb, “If three people get together, wisdom of Manjusri will appears.” He bestows wisdom to us. The mantra is “Om a ra pa ca na.” | + | This [[Bodhisattva]] is considered as the foremost in [[wisdom]]. There is a famous proverb, “If three [[people]] get together, [[wisdom]] of [[Manjusri]] will appears.” He bestows [[wisdom]] to us. The [[mantra]] is “Om a ra pa ca na.” |
[[File:Bonji_4.jpg|frameless|left|250px|]] | [[File:Bonji_4.jpg|frameless|left|250px|]] | ||
| − | '''Samantabhadra Bodhisattva<br/> | + | '''[[Samantabhadra Bodhisattva]]<br/> |
| − | '''Year of Dragon and Snake <br/> | + | '''Year of [[Dragon]] and {{Wiki|Snake}} <br/> |
'''Am | '''Am | ||
| − | This Bodhisattva represents the teaching of Six paramitas(giving, self restraint, patience, endeavor, meditation, and wisdom.) He also has a virtue to prolong our life. He is also called Vajramoghasamayasattva Bodhisattva. The mantra is “Om samayas tvam.” | + | This [[Bodhisattva]] represents the [[teaching]] of Six paramitas(giving, [[self]] {{Wiki|restraint}}, [[patience]], endeavor, [[meditation]], and [[wisdom]].) He also has a [[virtue]] to prolong our [[life]]. He is also called Vajramoghasamayasattva [[Bodhisattva]]. The [[mantra]] is “Om [[samayas]] tvam.” |
[[File:Bonji_5.jpg|frameless|left|250px|]] | [[File:Bonji_5.jpg|frameless|left|250px|]] | ||
| − | '''Mahastamaprapta Bodhisattva<br/> | + | '''Mahastamaprapta [[Bodhisattva]]<br/> |
| − | '''Year of Horse <br/> | + | '''Year of [[Horse]] <br/> |
'''Sah | '''Sah | ||
| − | He guides us by illuminating a bright light of Wisdom. He saves people to lead them from defilement to awakening. He has tremendous power to save people of suffering. The mantra is “Om san jam jam sah svaha.” | + | He guides us by [[illuminating]] a bright [[light of Wisdom]]. He saves [[people]] to lead them from [[defilement]] to [[awakening]]. He has tremendous power to save [[people]] of [[suffering]]. The [[mantra]] is “Om san jam jam sah [[svaha]].” |
[[File:Bonji_6.jpg|frameless|left|250px|]] | [[File:Bonji_6.jpg|frameless|left|250px|]] | ||
| − | '''Mahavairocana Tathagata<br/> | + | '''[[Mahavairocana]] [[Tathagata]]<br/> |
| − | '''Year of Ram and Monkey | + | '''Year of [[Ram]] and Monkey |
'''Vam | '''Vam | ||
| − | The sun shines upon all without discrimination. This Buddha bestows great light to all sentient beings. Mahavairocana of Vajradhatu realm wears a crown which has the five Buddhas figures and holds a mudra of Wisdom fists. This symbolizes firm and pure wisdom like a diamond jewel. The mantra is Om vajra dhatu vam. | + | The {{Wiki|sun}} shines upon all [[without discrimination]]. This [[Buddha]] bestows great {{Wiki|light}} to all [[sentient beings]]. [[Mahavairocana]] of [[Vajradhatu]] [[realm]] wears a {{Wiki|crown}} which has the [[five Buddhas]] figures and holds a [[mudra]] of [[Wisdom]] fists. This [[symbolizes]] firm and [[pure wisdom]] like a [[diamond]] [[jewel]]. The [[mantra]] is Om [[vajra]] [[dhatu]] vam. |
[[File:Bonji_7.jpg|frameless|left|250px|]] | [[File:Bonji_7.jpg|frameless|left|250px|]] | ||
| − | '''Acalanatha Vidyaraja<br/> | + | '''[[Acalanatha Vidyaraja]]<br/> |
| − | '''Year of Rooster <br/> | + | '''Year of {{Wiki|Rooster}} <br/> |
'''Ham | '''Ham | ||
| − | Acananatha Vidyaraja has a vow to guide people by cutting their trauma and suffering and leads them to awakening by binding their worldly desires. His figure is very wrathful and surrounded by fire flames and people think he is far away from Buddha class but this is the way that Buddhas save all people who need salvation. The mantra is | + | Acananatha [[Vidyaraja]] has a [[vow]] to guide [[people]] by cutting their trauma and [[suffering]] and leads them to [[awakening]] by binding their [[worldly]] [[desires]]. His figure is very [[wrathful]] and surrounded by [[fire]] flames and [[people]] think he is far away from [[Buddha]] class but this is the way that [[Buddhas]] save all [[people]] who need {{Wiki|salvation}}. The [[mantra]] is “[[Namah]] [[samanta]] vajranam [[chanda]] maharosana sphotaya [[hum]] trat ham mam.” |
[[File:Bonji_11.jpg|frameless|left|250px|]] | [[File:Bonji_11.jpg|frameless|left|250px|]] | ||
| − | '''Amitabha Tathagata<br/> | + | '''[[Amitabha]] [[Tathagata]]<br/> |
| − | '''Year of Dog and Boar <br/> | + | '''Year of {{Wiki|Dog}} and {{Wiki|Boar}} <br/> |
| − | '''Hrih | + | '''[[Hrih]] |
| − | This Buddha is called as Amitabha and Amitayus which mean infinite light and infinite life. This Buddha guides us to salvation by using compassion (life) and wisdom (light). The mantra is “Om amrta teje hara hum.” | + | This [[Buddha]] is called as [[Amitabha]] and [[Amitayus]] which mean [[infinite light]] and [[infinite life]]. This [[Buddha]] guides us to {{Wiki|salvation}} by using [[compassion]] ([[life]]) and [[wisdom]] ({{Wiki|light}}). The [[mantra]] is “Om [[amrta]] teje [[hara]] [[hum]].” |
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
Revision as of 18:09, 11 March 2015
“Bonji” refer to specific letters or characters in Sanskrit, which is a language once spoken widely in ancient India. Sanskrit was considered a very sacred language, so much that it was used when transcribing sutras, dharanis and mantras in Buddhism, much like how Latin is used in the liturgy of the Catholic Church.
In Shingon Buddhism, Kobo Daishi was transmitted the mantras through his master Huiguo Acharya in Tang Dynasty China. At the time, Siddham was the foremost script used to represent the Sanskrit language. To this day, Shingon Buddhism is one of the few Buddhist lineages that continues to utilize Siddham in text and sound.
It is a trend to wear jewelry or beads that have specific Bonji carved on them. Each Bonji represents blessings and virtues of a Buddha or Bodhisattva.
The followings are the chart of Bonji characters, a Buddha representing birth year, and the seed mantra of the Buddha.
One Thousand Arm Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
Year of Rat
Hrih
Lotus flowers come up from muddy water but they bloom beautifully. Their colors are not influenced by color of mud. We are also living in dirty world but One Thousand Arm Avalokitesvara guides us with her one thousand arms for us to live with pure heart. The mantra is “Om vajra dharma hrih.”
Akasagarbha Bodhisattva
Year of Ox and Tiger
Trah
Akasagarbha Bodhisattva represents the infinite space of universe. He guides people by granting virtues, wisdom and compassion to people. The mantra is “Namo akasagarbhaya om arya camari mauli svaha.”
Manjusri Bodhisattva
Year of Rabbit
Mam
This Bodhisattva is considered as the foremost in wisdom. There is a famous proverb, “If three people get together, wisdom of Manjusri will appears.” He bestows wisdom to us. The mantra is “Om a ra pa ca na.”
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva
Year of Dragon and Snake
Am
This Bodhisattva represents the teaching of Six paramitas(giving, self restraint, patience, endeavor, meditation, and wisdom.) He also has a virtue to prolong our life. He is also called Vajramoghasamayasattva Bodhisattva. The mantra is “Om samayas tvam.”
Mahastamaprapta Bodhisattva
Year of Horse
Sah
He guides us by illuminating a bright light of Wisdom. He saves people to lead them from defilement to awakening. He has tremendous power to save people of suffering. The mantra is “Om san jam jam sah svaha.”
Mahavairocana Tathagata
Year of Ram and Monkey
Vam
The sun shines upon all without discrimination. This Buddha bestows great light to all sentient beings. Mahavairocana of Vajradhatu realm wears a crown which has the five Buddhas figures and holds a mudra of Wisdom fists. This symbolizes firm and pure wisdom like a diamond jewel. The mantra is Om vajra dhatu vam.
Acalanatha Vidyaraja
Year of Rooster
Ham
Acananatha Vidyaraja has a vow to guide people by cutting their trauma and suffering and leads them to awakening by binding their worldly desires. His figure is very wrathful and surrounded by fire flames and people think he is far away from Buddha class but this is the way that Buddhas save all people who need salvation. The mantra is “Namah samanta vajranam chanda maharosana sphotaya hum trat ham mam.”
Amitabha Tathagata
Year of Dog and Boar
Hrih
This Buddha is called as Amitabha and Amitayus which mean infinite light and infinite life. This Buddha guides us to salvation by using compassion (life) and wisdom (light). The mantra is “Om amrta teje hara hum.”
