Amoghap a: The Bodhisatta of Compassion

Amoghap a (Avalokite vara Bodhisatta with the Unfailing Rope) is one of the popular esoteric forms of Avalokite vara, who protects all sentient, living beings by means of his rope of compassion and has their wishes fulfilled. Amoghap a owes his existence to the rise of the Diamond Vehicle (vajray na) in India and is mentioned in various works of esoteric Buddhism. Though the initiation of this Bodhisatta in East Asia remains unclear, but the examination of Amoghap a images suggests that the cult of Amoghap a in East Asia arose in the late seventh to eighth centuries. It was widespread at Dunhuang, Sichuan, Java, Sumatra, Bali, Japan and received impetus from the Himalayan tradition as well as local adaptations. The oppression associated with the revival of Hinduism followed by the Muslim invasion during the 12th Century C.E. had resulted in extinction of Amoghap a cult from India.

Autorentext

Dr. Ankur Barua had done Master of Buddhist Studies from the University of Hong Kong (2009). He also had completed MD in Community Medicine (2003) from Manipal University and is working as Associate Professor of Community Medicine at Melaka-Manipal Medical College in Malaysia. Ms. M.A. Basilio is a nursing professional interested in Buddhism.

Klappentext

Amoghapasa (Avalokitesvara Bodhisatta with the Unfailing Rope) is one of the popular esoteric forms of Avalokitesvara, who protects all sentient, living beings by means of his rope of compassion and has their wishes fulfilled. Amoghapasa owes his existence to the rise of the Diamond Vehicle (vajrayana) in India and is mentioned in various works of esoteric Buddhism. Though the initiation of this Bodhisatta in East Asia remains unclear, but the examination of Amoghapasa images suggests that the cult of Amoghapasa in East Asia arose in the late seventh to eighth centuries. It was widespread at Dunhuang, Sichuan, Java, Sumatra, Bali, Japan and received impetus from the Himalayan tradition as well as local adaptations. The oppression associated with the revival of Hinduism followed by the Muslim invasion during the 12th Century C.E. had resulted in extinction of Amoghapasa cult from India.