Difference between revisions of "Sambhogakāya"
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| − | 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]]. |
[[File:P021.JPG|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:P021.JPG|thumb|250px|]] | ||
==Definition== | ==Definition== | ||
| − | ===Celestial manifestations=== | + | ==={{Wiki|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. | + | The [[Sambhogakaya]] is a "subtle body of limitless form". Both "{{Wiki|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 {{Wiki|visionary}} {{Wiki|experiences}}. |
| − | Those [[Buddhas]] and [[Bodhisattvas]] manifest themselves in their specific [[pure land]]s. 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]] {{Wiki|manifest}} themselves in their specific [[pure land]]s. 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 {{Wiki|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. |
| − | ==Understanding in Buddhist tradition== | + | ==Understanding in [[Buddhist]] [[tradition]]== |
| − | ===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 or [[ | + | 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. |
| − | [[Lopon Tenzin Namdak|Namdak]] rendered by [[Vajranatha]] convey the relationship of the [[mindstream]] (Sanskrit: ''citta santana'') of Sambhogakaya that links the [[Dharmakaya]] with the [[Nirmanakaya]]. | + | [[Lopon Tenzin Namdak|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 ''[[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: | + | 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: |
| − | {{quote|Think not of the past but of the future. Constantly maintain the future thoughts to be good. This is what we call the Sambhogakāya.<br> | + | {{quote|Think not of the past but of the future. Constantly maintain the future thoughts to be good. This is what we call the [[Sambhogakāya]].<br> |
| − | 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.<br> | + | 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.<br> |
| − | 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. | + | 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'' "{{Wiki|transformation}} {{Wiki|body}}"). The successive thoughts that forever involve good are thus the [[Sambhogakāya]]. |
| − | 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 [[Buddhist cosmology#Pure Abodes|Śuddhāvāsa]] [[devas]]. | + | One of the places where the [[Sambhogakāya]] {{Wiki|body}} appears is the extra-cosmic realm or pure land called [[Akaniṣṭha]]. This is one of the highest realms of the [[Buddhist cosmology#Pure Abodes|Śuddhāvāsa]] [[devas]]. |
| − | Absolutely seen, only the [[Dharmakaya]] is real; Sambhogakaya and [[Nirmanakaya]] are "provisional ways of talking about and apprehending it". | + | 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=== | ||
| − | Sambhogakaya also refers to the luminous form of clear light the Buddhist practitioner attains upon the reaching the highest dimensions of practice. | + | [[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. | + | According to tradition, those skilled in [[meditation]], such as advanced Tibetan [[lamas]] and {{Wiki|yogis}}, as well as other highly realized [[Buddhists]], may gain access to the [[Sambhogakaya]] and receive direct {{Wiki|transmission}} of [[doctrine]]. |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
Revision as of 01:54, 22 July 2013
The Sambhogakāya (Sanskrit: "body of enjoyment", Tib: longs.sku) is the second mode or aspect of the Trikaya.
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.
Understanding in Buddhist tradition
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:
{{quote|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.
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.
