Buddhism

Dainichi Spreader of Light in All Directions; The Great Illuminator ALSO KNOWN AS: Dai Nichi CLASSIFICATION: Buddha Dainichi is the Japanese name and manifestation of Mahavairocana, the Great Sun Buddha, Lord of

Ghantapa, Prince of Nalanda, home of renowned Nalanda Buddhist University in Bihar, India, renounced his crown and took a vow of celibacy, becoming a scholar monk. He developed a reputation for his

Hariti – Bringer of Happiness Hariti once ate human babies but has now reformed, becoming their guardian. Rather than stealing children, Hariti now assists couples having difficulty conceiving. Originally a disease spirit,

Padmasambhava ALSO KNOWN AS: Guru Rinpoche; Padmakara CLASSIFICATION: Buddha; Yidam Padmasambhava—scholar, magician, adept, and Buddha—was born from a lotus flower. He traveled widely learning occult secrets. He lived in a charnel field

Bodhisattva A Bodhisattva is a lover of enlightenment, literally an enlightenment hero or heroine. Bodhisattvas come in many forms: female, male, animal, human, and divine. Although they have reached a level of

Bodhidharma ORIGIN: India Bodhidharma, a Buddhist missionary from India who traveled to China, is an Arhat and an avatarof the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. Founder of Chan/Zen Buddhism, he was eventually revered as the

Yidam The Yidam are Buddhist meditation deities. Their images serve as portals and bridges, not dissimilar in nature from Eastern Orthodox icons. Yidams are featured in sacred mandala and Thangka paintings. The

Daibutsu (great Buddha) In Japanese Buddhist art, name given to several large bronze images of the Buddhas; the most famous, Amida Buddha, some 49 feet, 7 inches in height, located at Kamakura.

Dadak In Tibetan Buddhism, a guardian deity, associated with the hero and founder of Buddhism in Tibet, Padmasambhava. SOURCE: Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S.