Page 64 - Bonhams Presencer Buddhist Art Collection Oct. 2 2018

BODHISATTVAS

菩薩

The Mahayana tradition’s paradigm of a perfected being is the 菩薩以渡眾生為己任，經萬古修行才得以成佛，是大乘佛教中
Bodhisattva, who has committed to achieving Buddhahood 完美的典型。而摩訶薩埵則指已經實現其誓言的菩薩，他們
over eons in order to save all sentient beings. In this 具有無邊法力，可護佑信眾平安、健康、長壽，在滿足世俗需
tradition a Mahasattva Bodhisattva (‘Great Bodhisattva’) has 求的同時精進其修行。也正因於此，在東亞和喜馬拉雅地區有
accomplished that task. Beyond their teachings and roles as 著虔誠而廣泛的摩訶薩埵信仰。此次弗雷森勒收藏中有數件作
paragons, these Mahasattva Bodhisattva are able to aid a 品呈現了摩訶薩埵的不同化現，以探索其源流、功能、藝術表
devotee’s spiritual growth by often addressing more worldly 現，功能與源流。
human concerns like safety, health, and mortality. Because of
their worldly effects, they elicit great enthusiasm throughout 菩薩在立誓後會修行十地，即大乘佛教修菩薩道行者所要經歷
East Asia and the Himalayas. The Presencer Collection brings 的十個修行階段。在七地（即遠行地）之後方可採用各類化現
together several important Mahasattva Bodhisattvas in various 以廣度眾生。因此，必要時摩訶薩埵也可以忿怒相出現， 此
manifestations, exploring their origins, form, and function. 概念在藏傳佛教地密教修行中廣泛流行。比如弗雷森勒收藏中
的清代閻魔護法便表現了文殊菩薩的牛面形態。由於畏怖心會
Having taken a vow, each Bodhisattva pursues a ten stage 阻礙修行者的覺悟，文殊菩薩便借用此忿怒相以助人克服對死
path to Buddhahood. After perfecting the seventh stage of 亡的畏怖 。
the Bodhisattva’s path, that of Expansiveness, a Bodhisattva
can adopt any bodily form appropriate to liberate sentient
beings. Thus, when more effective, Mahasattva Bodhisattvas
may appear in various ‘wrathful’ manifestations as well.
This concept is developed with great verve in the tantric
traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. A Qing-dynasty example of
Yama Dharmaraja (Lord of Death) within the collection shows
Manjushri in a blazing Buffalo-headed form. Manjushri adopts
this form in order to help tantric initiates overcome the fear of
death, as fear distracts from the practitioner’s primary concern
of aiding other beings on the path to enlightenment.

62 | BONHAMS