Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta

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Mahāsthāmaprāpta represents the power of wisdom as a bodhisattva mahāsattva, often depicted in a trinity with Amitābha and Avalokiteśvara, particularly in Pure Land Buddhism. His name translates literally to "arrival of great strength". Mahāsthāmaprāpta is one of eight Great Bodhisattvas in Mahāyāna Buddhism, including Mañjuśrī, Samantabhadra, Avalokiteśvara, Akasagarbha, Kṣitigarbha, Maitreya and Sarvanivarana-Vishkambhin. In Chinese Buddhism, he is usually portrayed as a woman with a likeness similar to Avalokiteśvara. He also plays an important role in the Japanese Thirteen Buddhas of Shingon. In Tibetan Buddhism (Tantrism), Mahāsthāmaprāpta is equated with Vajrapani, who serves as his incarnation and is known as the Protector of the Buddha. Mahāsthāmaprāpta is one of the oldest bodhisattvas and is regarded as powerful, especially in Pure Land Buddhism, where he takes an important role in the long Sutra of Infinite Life. He is also associated with Japanese temple guardians Kongo Rikishi across Japan. In the Shurangama Sutra, Mahāsthāmaprāpta tells how he gained enlightenment through the practice of Buddha recitation or continuous pure mindfulness of Amitābha to obtain samādhi. In the Contemplation Sutra, Mahāsthāmaprāpta is symbolized by the moon while Avalokiteśvara is represented by the sun.