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Fugen Bosatsu (Bodhisattva)
Origin India = Samantabhadra
Protector of those who teach the dharma.
Embodies wisdom of essential sameness.
Made ten vows of practice and faith.
Often depicted riding an elephant.
Prominent in the Lotus Sutra.
Popular by Heian Era among Tendai Sect.
Fugen teaches that action is equally important as thought and meditation. Fugen is the protector of all those who teach the dharma (the Buddhist teachings), and symbolizes the power of wisdom in overcoming obstacles. Often depicted on an elephant (traditionally a white elephant with six tusks), Fugen is sometimes shown with a lotus flower in his left hand or seated on a lotus. The lotus is a symbol of purity, and in Buddhist art, the Shaka Nyorai (Historical Buddha) and other Buddhist deities are often pictured seated on a lotus or holding a lotus. Although a beautiful flower, the lotus grows out of the mud at the bottom of a pond. Buddha deities are enlightened beings who "grew" out of the "mud" of the material world. Like the lotus, they are beautiful and pure even though they grew up in the material world.
Mantra in Japanese
Sanskrit Seed Sound - AN
Historical Notes
Like Monju Bosatsu, Fugen Bosatsu is said to have followed and assisted the Historical Buddha. Monju and Fugen are often shown flanking the historical Buddha in a grouping called the Shaka Trinity (SHAKA SANZON). In addition, historically, there are four Bodhisattva (Bosatsu) in East Asia, each symbolizing different aspects of Buddhist belief and practice. They are the Kannon Bosatsu (compassion), Monju Bosatsu (wisdom), Fugen Bosatsu (praxis, or practice), and Jizo Bosatsu (vast patience and salvation from suffering). Fugen is also known as the "Great Conduct" bosatsu, for he made ten vows for practicing Buddhism and achieving enlightenment (see "manjushri.com" link at bottom of page for details).
Fugen probably arrived in Japan sometime in the 8th century, for he was already a major deity during the Heian Period (794-1192). According to one source:
In the Heian period, women of the Japanese court adopted a form of Buddhism based on the worship of the Lotus Sutra and Bodhisattva Fugen. The Lotus Sutra is the principle Buddhist text concerned with the salvation of women, and Fugen is the protector Bodhisattva of the disciples of the Lotus Sutra. Thus did the women of the time adopt Fugen as their protector spirit.
Source of above quote:
www.cyberport.uqam.ca/english/countries/japan/history3b.htm
 
Heian-Kamakura Period, 12th Century
Statue found at Myoho-in
Photos courtesty Kyoto National Museum
Modern wood statue
Courtesy www.butsuzou.com/jiten/fugen.html
SHAKA SANZON -- Shaka Trinity
- Fugen Bosatsu, along with Monju Bosatsu, appear together often with Shaka Nyorai. Monju Bosatsu is frequently depicted with a sword in one hand and a sutra in the other. Sometimes he carries a lotus flower and is riding a lion. Fugen is often depicted riding a white elephant or holding a lotus flower. This grouping of three statues is called the Shaka Trinity or Shaka Sanzon in Japanese.
SIDE NOTES:
www.asahi-net.or.jp/~QM9T-KNDU/buddhism.htm
Monju and Fugen may remind us of the accidents at a nuclear power plant. Two fast breeder reactors located in Fukui Prefecture were named 'Monju' and 'Fugen'. However, 'Monju' was temporarily shut down on December 8, 1995 due to a leak of sodium coolant. Ironically, December 8 was the day Sakyamuni attained enlightenment.
Also Fugen is supposed to be advanced thermal reactors using both uranium and plutonium as fuel. In 1995, however, the government gave up the plan to develop such reactors in the face of stiff opposition. The reactor, which entered service in March 1979, cost 68.5 billion yen to build, but may cost three times that amount to dismantle it, or 200 billion yen (US$1.5 billion). From the Buddhist viewpoint, naming the reactors 'Fugen' and 'Monju' was blasphemy against the Bodhisattva. Swift is Heaven's vengeance.
Same statue as that shown at top of page.
Treasure of Myoho-in (Sanjusangendo) in Kyoto
12th century, wood
Elephant Symbolism In India, the god Ganesh (also Ganesha) is portrayed with the head of an elephant, and assists believers in overcoming all obstacles -- akin to the force of an elephant crashing through the jungle. The son of Parvati, Ganesh removes every difficulty and is invoked at the start of any new enterprise. The elephant may also symbolize unrestrained passion. Linked with Fugen Bosatsu, the elephant appears to symbolize the overcoming of obstacles. (must research this further)
LEARN MORE
- www.manjushri.com/BUDDHA/Samantabhadra.html
- www.aasianst.org/EAA/sjoquist.htm
- www.butsuzou.com/jiten/fugen.html
- www.kyohaku.go.jp/indexe.htm (various photos shown above)
- www.pandaemonium.net/menu/devil/Fugen.html
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