Samantabhadra Mantra
Significance & Meaning
Invoking the primordial Buddha of the dharmakaya, representing the nature of mind itself
The Samantabhadra Mantra invokes Samantabhadra (Kuntuzangpo in Tibetan), who represents the primordial Buddha nature—the dharmakaya itself.
Meaning
- Om Ah Hum - Body, speech, and mind of all Buddhas
- Bodhichitta - Enlightened mind/awakened heart
- Maha Sukha - Great bliss
- Jnana - Wisdom/primordial awareness
- Dhatu - Element/realm/sphere
- Ah - Seed syllable of unborn nature
Two Samantabhadras
In Buddhist tradition, there are two figures named Samantabhadra:
-
Primordial Buddha Samantabhadra (Nyingma tradition) - The dharmakaya Buddha, depicted as naked and dark blue, representing the nature of mind before any elaboration. This mantra primarily invokes this form.
-
Bodhisattva Samantabhadra - One of the eight great bodhisattvas, associated with practice and aspiration, often shown riding a white elephant.
Visualization
The primordial Samantabhadra is depicted:
- Dark blue (like the sky)
- Naked (unadorned by concepts)
- In union with white Samantabhadri
- No ornaments (primordial simplicity)
- Seated in meditation posture
Significance in Dzogchen
In the Nyingma school, Samantabhadra represents:
- The ground (basis) of all phenomena
- The nature of mind recognizing itself
- Buddha nature present in all beings
- The first Buddha who awakened to the nature of reality
Benefits
- Connects to primordial awareness
- Recognizes Buddha nature
- Purifies obscurations at the deepest level
- Associated with Dzogchen practice
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