Samantabhadra
/səˌmʌn.təˈbhɑː.drə/noun
A major Mahayana Buddhist bodhisattva associated with universal virtue, practice, vows, and compassion.
Did you know?In East Asian Buddhism, Samantabhadra is often paired with Mañjuśrī, symbolizing compassionate practice and wisdom respectively, and is especially connected with the Avataṃsaka and Lotus traditions.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sem-
“One; together; unified—the ancient root underlying the first element associated with totality.”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
sam- / samanta
“Together, completely; all around or extending to every side.”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
bhadra
“Auspicious, fortunate, good, noble, or beneficial.”
Early Mahayana Buddhism
Sanskrit
Samantabhadra
“The “universally auspicious” or “all-pervading good” one; a bodhisattva embodying vows and enlightened practice.”
Medieval East Asia
Chinese
Pǔxián
“The Chinese rendering of Samantabhadra, commonly interpreted as “Universal Worthy” or “Universally Good.””
Modern English
English
Samantabhadra
“A Buddhist bodhisattva and, in some traditions, a primordial Buddha associated with universal awareness.”
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