Ashtamahabodhisattva: the eight great Bodhisattvas in art and literature

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Ashtamahabodhisattva: the eight great Bodhisattvas in art and literature
By: Radha Banerjee

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Author: Radha Banerjee
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 8185704228
Publication Date: 1994

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Product Code: 3752

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Description

The present book gives a brief but succinct survey of the main features of the eight great Mahayana Bodhisattvas in literature and art. According to Mahayana belief, as there are innumerable Buddhas, there are also innumerable Bodhisattvas of which the following eight are the chief ones: Manjusri, Vajrapani, Avalokitesvara, Kshitigarbha, Sarvanivarana-vishkambhin, Akasagarbha, Maitreya, and Samantabhadra. Most of these Bodhisattvas occur singly and also in a group or Mandala.
The Bohisattvas play a unique role in faith and art. The main features of the Bodhisattvas are their boundless compassion for all the sentient beings and their readiness to undergo any suffering for the benefit of others. They do not attain nirvana until all the sentient beings are freed from the cycle of bondage of birth and death. It may be interesting to note that in Mahayana Buddhism Buddha is not the only agent engaged in the work of saving the world. In this great task he is assisted by his followers (Putras, Sutas, Aurasas, ect) who are called Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Sutras. These Bodhisattvas are closer to the common man as their constant guide than Buddha himself. The present study is based on relevant literary, art and archaeological sources.

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