Toh 44-3Chapter 3: Samantabhadra's Miraculous Samādhi

Commentary: The Chapter on the Wondrous Miraculous Samadhi of the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra

Background

This chapter belongs to the Avatamsaka Sutra in the Northern Mahayana tradition, one of the most important scriptures of the Northern transmission of the Buddha Dharma. The bodhisattva Samantabhadra is one of the two bodhisattvas seated beside Buddha Shakyamuni on Fragrant Mountain, symbolizing the Buddha’s mind and boundless activity.

In the context of the Avatamsaka Sutra, bodhisattvas and buddhas gather to bear witness to the Buddha’s most profound teachings. The bodhisattva Samantabhadra, who represents the practice of the bodhisattva path with the resolve to nurture all sentient beings, manifests inconceivable samadhis that go beyond the scope of the worldly and the transcendent.

Main Content

The wondrous miraculous samadhis of the bodhisattva Samantabhadra are divine states of meditative concentration in which the bodhisattva is completely integrated with the dharmadhatu. In this state, the bodhisattva Samantabhadra displays transcendent powers: he can simultaneously behold all buddhas in countless worlds, emanate immeasurable bodies to uphold sentient beings in every place, and teach the Dharma in languages suited to the minds of each kind of being.

These samadhis are not separate magical powers, but natural expressions of buddha wisdom. When a bodhisattva cultivates to this level, the mind is no longer bound by time, space, or perception. A single thought of Samantabhadra can contain immeasurable universes; a single step of the bodhisattva can traverse the three realms of gods, humans, and hell beings.

In particular, these wondrous samadhis are not cultivated out of craving for miraculous powers, but are the spontaneous result of boundless compassion and unceasing wisdom. The bodhisattva Samantabhadra uses these powers as skillful means (upaya) to awaken countless sentient beings, never for his own ease or enjoyment.