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The Three Buddhas
2018-11-27
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The Three Buddhas of the Three Ages are the main objects of veneration in Mahayana Buddhism, commonly known as the "Three Jewel Buddhas". According to Indian philosophy, time and space are intertwined; therefore, the Three Buddhas are divided into the "Horizontal Three Buddhas", calculated by space, and the "Vertical Three Buddhas", calculated by time.
Horizontal Three Buddhas (also known as the Three Directional Buddhas): refers to the central Sakyamuni Buddha, the Eastern Medicine Buddha (another theory is the Eastern Akshobhya Buddha, also known as the "Immovable Buddha"), and the Western Amitabha Buddha.
Eastern Medicine Buddha
Presides over the Eastern Pure Glass World. He has two attendant Bodhisattvas, the Sunlight Illuminating Bodhisattva and the Moonlight Illuminating Bodhisattva, known as the Three Saints of the East. Generally, prayers to the Medicine Buddha are primarily for seeking worldly happiness. The Medicine Buddha can bless people with the elimination of disasters, longevity, and the removal of illness; many elderly and sick people worship the Medicine Buddha to seek health and longevity.
Central Sakyamuni Buddha
Presides over the central Saha World. He has two attendant Bodhisattvas, Manjushri Bodhisattva ("Great Wisdom") and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva ("Great Conduct"), known as the Three Saints of the Flower Garland Sutra; he is the educator of this world and the leader of Buddhism. His Dharma body is the Great Sun Tathagata revered in Tibetan Buddhism.
Western Amitabha Buddha
Presides over the Western Pure Land. He has two attendant Bodhisattvas, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva ("Great Hero") and Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva ("Great Compassion"), known as the Three Saints of the West. Prayers to Amitabha Buddha are mainly for seeking liberation after death. Han Buddhism believes that Amitabha Buddha mainly uses his vows to guide sentient beings to the Pure Land, freeing them from the cycle of suffering; therefore, he is also called the "Welcoming Buddha". Because this Buddha has immeasurable life and light, he is also called the "Buddha of Immeasurable Life" and the "Buddha of Immeasurable Light". In Tibetan Buddhism, he is known as the Amitabha Buddha and is also a symbol of longevity.
There is a saying in the Buddhist world that the Horizontal Three Buddhas are the same Buddha, only manifesting different incarnations to save sentient beings. From "Examination of the Origins of the Tathagata": "What is meant by Amitabha being called Immeasurable Life? Giving medicine is also Immeasurable Life, which is the longevity of the Medicine Master Tathagata. What is meant by Amitabha? It is Immeasurable Light, and Vairocana Buddha is Immeasurable Light. Therefore, it is known that all Buddhas are of the same body but different names, all skillfully manifested for the benefit of sentient beings."
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