Guardian Bodhisattva

Who are Guardian Bodhisattva?

There were 8 Guardian Bodhisattva. Through the heavenly stems and earth branches, the twelve-linked causal formula and the mutual generation of five elements, namely earth, water, fire, air and wind, Tantric Buddhism points out that 12 zodiac signs are blessed by eight Bodhisattvas and Buddhas referred as eight natal Buddha or eight Buddhist guardian deities. 

People often carry or pray to Guardian Bodhisattva to be blessed all the time. 

Here is a list of 8 Guardian Bodhisattva​:

1. Vairocana, The Great Illuminator

Vairochana occupies the chief position and is often considered to be the progenitor of the other four Dhyani-Buddhas, or the Adi-Buddha himself. The name Vairochana means “He Who Is Like the Sun” or “the Radiating One.” Vairochana represents either the integration of or the origin of the Dhyani Buddhas. His wisdom is the Wisdom of the Dharmadhatu. The Dharmadhatu is the Realm of Truth, in which all things exist as they really are. Vairochana's transcendent wisdom reveals the realm of highest reality and overcomes the poison of ignorance, or delusion. His wisdom is considered to be the origin of or the total of all the wisdoms of the Dhyani Buddhas. 

Vairochana is the 8 Guardian Bodhisattva of Year Goat and Monkey.

2. Avalokiteshvara, The Buddha of Compassion

Avalokiteśvara is possibly the most popular of all figures in Buddhist legend. One prominent Buddhist story tells of Avalokiteśvara vowing never to rest until he had freed all sentient beings from saṃsāra. Despite strenuous effort, he realizes that many unhappy beings were yet to be saved. After struggling to comprehend the needs of so many, his head splits into eleven pieces. Amitābha, seeing his plight, gives him eleven heads with which to hear the cries of the suffering. Upon hearing these cries and comprehending them, Avalokiteśvara tries to reach out to all those who needed aid, but found that his two arms shattered into pieces. Once more, Amitābha comes to his aid and invests him with a thousand arms with which to aid the suffering multitudes

Avalokiteśvara is Guardian Bodhisattva of year Rat

3. Mahasthamaprapta, The Buddha of Great Strength

Mahasthamaprapta is a bodhisattva that represents the power of wisdom, often depicted in a trinity with Amitābha and Avalokiteśvara, especially in Pure Land Buddhism. His name literally means "arrival of the great strength". When he moved, there are thing happened as if the earthquake. He illuminated all beings with the light of his intellect, letting go of suffering and hatred and leading them to good things.

Mahasthamaprapta is Guardian Bodhisattva of year Horse

4. Acala, The Great Protector

Originally the Mahayana deity Acalanātha whose name means "immovable protector". He is classed among the Wisdom Kings and is preeminent among the Five Wisdom Kings of the Womb Realm. Acala is said to be a powerful deity who protects the faithful by burning away all impediments and defilements thus aiding them towards enlightenment. He evolves into a deity invoked in Buddhist rituals to "frighten gods, titans, men and destroy the strength of demons", and he slays all ghosts and evil spirits. He is a bodhisattva  who destroys the three toxic things of human wisdom:  greed, anger, delusion.

Alace is Guardian Bodhisattva of year Rooster

5. Amitabha, The Buddha of Infinite Light

According to scriptures, Amitabha possesses infinite merit resulting from good deeds over countless past lives as a bodhisattva named Dharmakara. Amitabha means "Infinite Light", and Amitayus means "Infinite Life" so Amitabha is also called "The Buddha of Immeasurable Light and Life". When not depicted alone, Amitābha is often portrayed with two assistants: Avalokiteśvara on the right and Mahāsthāmaprāpta on the left. .

Amitabha is Guardian Bodhisattva of year Pig and Dog

6. Samantabhadra, The Lord of Truth

Samantabhadra is a bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism associated with practice and meditation. Together with Gautama Buddha and his fellow bodhisattva Mañjuśrī, he forms the Shakyamuni trinity in Buddhism. He manifested throughout the ten worlds to help all beings to enlightenment, transform and give them strength, wisdom and perseverance to overcome suffering.

Samantabhadra is Guardian Bodhisattva of year Dragon and Snake.

7. Manjushri, The Buddha of Wisdom 

Manjushri Bodhisattva’s name means "Gentle Glory". Manjushri Bodhisattva also known as the assistant of Shakyamuni Buddha and the great disciple of Buddha. Both Indian and Tibetan Buddhism take him as a religious pattern and believe that cultivating his disciplines will quickly gain blessings, wisdom. He is the representative of the supreme wisdom, uses the wisdom to guide all beings.

Manjushri is Guardian Bodhisattva of year Cat/Rabbit

8. Akasagarbha, The Buddha of Boundless Space

Akasagarbhai a bodhisattva who is associated with the great element of space. His name can be translated as "boundless space treasury" or "void store" as his wisdom is said to be boundless as space itself. Buddha highly appreciates and praises him, saying that his meditation is like the sea, pure land like mountains, mind like nothingness, diligence like the wind, patience like diamonds, and wisdom like eternity. He is the bodhisattva who represents sincerity, intelligence, prosperity, and proper direction for people, helping them to avoid the lust in life.

Akasagarbhai is Guardian Bodhisattva of year Ox and Tiger

Notice when wearing items of Guardian Bodhisattva:

• Absolutely do not allow others to touch the pendant.
• Before going to bed and bathing, should remove the pendant and keep it in clean places.
• When pendant is worn for a long time and became old, it should be kept in bags or boxes that put on altar.
• Do not worry if you accidentally drop the pendant. Please use a towel to wipe carefully and wear it normally.
• Keep pendant always be clean