Notes

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva appears in a number of other sūtras and is considered one of the four great bodhisattvas, along with Avalokiteśvara, Mañjuśrī, and Maitreya. He is often considered the foremost in Bodhisattva practice. He also appears in the Samantabhadra Meditation Sūtra, and the Gaṇḍavyūha Sūtra (which in Chinese Buddhism is the last part of the Āvataṃsaka Sūtra), where he teaches the youth Sudhana how to practice the bodhisattva path. It is there that he makes his famous ten vows, which may be considered the fundamental practice of bodhisattva prayer/reflection:

1. Paying homage to all buddhas. 

2. Praising all buddhas.

3. Making abundant offerings.

4. Repenting all evil deeds.

5. Rejoicing in the good deeds of others.

6. Requesting the buddhas to turn the wheel of Dharma.

7. Requesting that buddhas do not enter nirvāṇa but continue to teach.

8. Follow the teachings of the buddhas at all times.

9. Benefit all beings.

10.Transfer merits to all beings for the sake of their awakening.

In Sri Lanka, Samantabhadra, known there as Saman, is considered one of the guardian deities of the island and has a shrine at Ratnapura. In China, Mount Emei in Sichuan is considered his home. He is usually depicted as sitting on an elephant as his mount. 

Overall Teaching

Samantabhadra will protect those who uphold and teach this sūtra. Benefits go to those who uphold and teach this sūtra, as well as those who praise them, while negative consequences go to those who denigrate or harm them. 

Summary

• 1. Bodhisattva Samantabhadra appears with countless bodhisattvas, and various great signs. After having circumambulated the Buddha, he entreats the Buddha to teach how a practitioner "may attain the Lotus Sūtra after the parinirvāṇa of the Tathāgata."

  2. The Buddha explains that they will need four accomplishments to attain this sūtra:

     1. To be protected by the buddhas.

     2. Plant roots of good merit.

     3. Enter a group of those who are rightly resolute. 

     4. Awaken the thought of saving all beings.

  3. Samantabhadra declares that he will protect those who preserve this sūtra, five hundred years after, from any being. (61a) 

1. He will also aid them in memorising the sūtra and consequently they will attain samādhis and dhāraṇīs. He will manifest himself in whichever form they need. He will also give them a dhāraṇī, which is written in the sūtra. (61b)

2. Beings who preserve and practice the Lotus Sūtra, or hear this dhāraṇī, should know it was through Samantabhadra's power. (61b-c)

3. Those who copy this sūtra will attain rebirth in Trȳastriṃśa and those who preserve and propagate it will attain rebirth in Tuṣita.

4. The Buddha explains that anyone who preserves, practices, or propagates this sūtra will meet the Buddha Śākyamuni and also hear it from his own mouth. (61c-62a)

5. Those beings are described as being good and practicing the practice of Samantabhadra, and as being those who will quickly attain full awakening.

a. Those who harm or scorn them will suffer negative consequences. 

b. Those who praise them will experience good consequences.

c. They should be paid respect to just as one would to a Buddha.

      9. Limitless bodhisattvas attained many dhāraṇīs.

    10. The assembly rejoiced greatly, accepted the Buddha's words, bowed, and departed. (62a)