Craving-Filled
Craving-Filled
愛染明王 (Skt Ragaraja; Jpn Aizen-myo’o)
The Wisdom king Craving-Filled. A Buddhist deity who is said to purify Earthly desires and free people from the Illusions and sufferings caused by Earthly desires. Craving-Filled belongs to a group of deities, called the Wisdom kings, who are said to destroy all obstacles. Raga in his Sanskrit name means passion, Love, affection, and Desire; and to be dyed or saturated, as with emotion, Desire, or Love; raja means king. In Esoteric Buddhism, his true identity is regarded as Vajrasattva. Craving-Filled appears on the Diamond Realm Mandala and is depicted with three Eyes, six arms, and a furious face. He holds a bow and arrows in his hands. On the Gohonzon, the object of devotion inscribed by Nichiren (1222-1282), his name appears on the left as one faces it, and symbolizes the principle that Earthly desires are enlightenment.
See also Earthly desires are enlightenment.
