According to the Chinese Calendar this year is the year of the...Buddha?
Nearly everyone is familiar with the Chinese Zodiac, they have them on placemats at many Chinese restaurants. It’s always fun to figure out if you’re a Rat, a Rabbit, or maybe a Snake. According to legends, before Buddha departed from earth, only twelve animals came in their devotion to him. Buddha honored them by naming the years after them in the order they arrived.
What I didn’t know is that the Japanese have a similar zodiac arrangement that is associated with a Buddhist patron. For example, I’m a Horse 午 and my Buddhist patron is Seishi Bosatsu. Seishi originated in India and is known as the Guardian of Buddha Wisdom , as One Whose Wisdom and Power Reach Everywhere, One Who Has Obtained Great Strength, Bodhisattva (a person who has attained prajna (pure and unqualified knowledge), or Enlightenment, but who postpones Nirvana in order to help others to attain Enlightenment: individual Bodhisattvas are the subjects of devotion in certain sects and are often represented in painting and sculpture) of Strength and Vigor, Bodhisattva Who Attained Great Strength, and One Who Has Attained the Powers of Wisdom & Compassion. The Japanese believe that people who are born in the same animal year share similar personality and character. For example, people born in the year of the horse are skilful with money and quick thinkers (Learn Japanese). In other words, my patron Seishi, will impart his wisdom, great strength and compassion, to help me become skillful with money and to continue to think quick. I like that…who couldn’t use some help with money these days!
The Japanese are very into their zodiac signs; they believe that signs and blood type tell a great deal about a person’s personality. Just another way that Buddhism is still alive and well in Japan.
Works Cited
Category. "Horse - The Year of the Horse." Learn Japanese - Japanese Language. 30 Apr. 2009 .
What I didn’t know is that the Japanese have a similar zodiac arrangement that is associated with a Buddhist patron. For example, I’m a Horse 午 and my Buddhist patron is Seishi Bosatsu. Seishi originated in India and is known as the Guardian of Buddha Wisdom , as One Whose Wisdom and Power Reach Everywhere, One Who Has Obtained Great Strength, Bodhisattva (a person who has attained prajna (pure and unqualified knowledge), or Enlightenment, but who postpones Nirvana in order to help others to attain Enlightenment: individual Bodhisattvas are the subjects of devotion in certain sects and are often represented in painting and sculpture) of Strength and Vigor, Bodhisattva Who Attained Great Strength, and One Who Has Attained the Powers of Wisdom & Compassion. The Japanese believe that people who are born in the same animal year share similar personality and character. For example, people born in the year of the horse are skilful with money and quick thinkers (Learn Japanese). In other words, my patron Seishi, will impart his wisdom, great strength and compassion, to help me become skillful with money and to continue to think quick. I like that…who couldn’t use some help with money these days!
The Japanese are very into their zodiac signs; they believe that signs and blood type tell a great deal about a person’s personality. Just another way that Buddhism is still alive and well in Japan.
Works Cited
Category. "Horse - The Year of the Horse." Learn Japanese - Japanese Language. 30 Apr. 2009 .