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Ekyo's Blog Sharing form the heart
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Benzaiten Bodhisattva |
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December 28, 2007
This is our Benzaiten Bodhisattva The name of this diety is relatively new to me. Since last year we have a shrine of Benzaiten at Monastery grounds. Traditionally the shrine is located near the water. Genro and Yayoi built a shrine at a beautiful spot, between Beecher Lake and Sangha Meadow. In September Benzaiten Bodhisattva was enshrined there…
Benzaiten is originally of Hindu origin and is associated with Sarasvati, the Indian goddess of sea, music and wisdom, and is sometimes shown with eight arms. Benzaiten is also linked to Kwannon Bodhisattva of compassion in Buddhism. In Japan she became a protector-deity in Shinto tradition. She is said to prevent earthquakes and brings luck and good fortune. In Rohatsu Exhortation, second day, it is said that wherever there is a practice of True Dharma, there is a Diety of Protection and Diety of Disturbance. Looking honestly at life everyone has both deities in one’s being. Even those who consider themselves as Dharma teachers manifest diety of disturbance at times… But what is this disturbance? It is also said the best diety to protect True Dharma is Benzaiten. The Sanskrit origin of her name means “flowing water”. So Benzaiten is the goddess and protector of everything that flows. Benzaiten protects Dharma… Protecting the Dharma is protecting the flow, but what is it what flows? Do you know? If you utter a word, it stops… Do not disturb. To protect Dharma relinquish your self and let THIS flow.
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