Buddhas and Bodhisattvas also have division of labor? So whether Guanyin Bodhisattva cares about eliminating disasters and prolonging life?

Lao Zhang went to the temple to worship Buddha. He came to Guanyin Bodhisattva to worship and make a pious vow, hoping that his family would be healthy and safe. Suddenly, the people around him grabbed him and said to him solemnly: "You worship the wrong Bodhisattva. If you seek health, you should worship the Medicine Buddha. Guanyin Bodhisattva doesn't care about this. ”

Lao Zhang was full of doubts: "Didn't Guanyin Bodhisattva "respond to all requests"? Can't we control the elimination of disasters and prolong life? ”

In daily life, when we go to the hospital for medical treatment, we will be arranged to different departments according to the condition, such as internal medicine, surgery, etc. Doctors in each department perform their duties and have clear division of labor, and do not interfere with each other. For example, doctors in ophthalmology are only responsible for treating eye diseases.

So, do Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have different divisions of labor when saving sentient beings?

“Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who perform their duties

In our understanding, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas seem to have clear responsibilities and division of labor. For example, we generally believe that Amitabha Buddha, the leader of the Western Pure Land, is responsible for the rebirth of sentient beings at the end of their lives. The "Amitabha Sutra" also describes the various special scenes of the Western Pure Land in detail. ； Medicine Buddha is also known as Medicine Buddha for eliminating disasters and prolonging life. Its image is mostly in the hands of holding a medicine bowl or holding a medicine pagoda, or holding a pill. The "Merit Sutra of the Original Vow of Medicine Buddha Liuli Light Tathagata" also starts from the benefits of sentient beings in the world. Those who suffer from difficulties will be given food and clothing, those who are defective will be perfected, and those who are sick will be treated... It seems that it is to keep everyone's real life away from disasters and illnesses. ； There is also the wisdom of Manjushri Bodhisattva in charge of sentient beings, etc.

We all know that chanting "Amitabha" can lead to rebirth, and chanting "Medicine Buddha" can eliminate disasters and prolong life, etc. The four great bodhisattvas under Sakyamuni Buddha: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, also have different focuses, representing the four spirits of compassion, wisdom, action, and wish. It seems that each has its own division of labor, specifically corresponding to the needs of sentient beings in a certain aspect. Therefore, in the consciousness of many people, if you seek health, you worship the Medicine Buddha, if you seek wisdom, you worship Manjushri Bodhisattva, and if you seek salvation, you worship Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

So, can Amitabha Buddha keep everyone away from disasters and increase their wisdom? Can Medicine Buddha allow everyone to be reborn?

The desire of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to save sentient beings

The answer is of course yes! Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are all liberation enlightened people, and they are not so stingy and narrow-minded. When saving sentient beings, they take great compassion and the three karmas of body, speech and mind as the starting point. Amitabha Buddha’s “Forty-Eight Great Vows” and Medicine Buddha’s “Twelve Great Vows” are each for fulfilling the wishes of sentient beings and eliminating the sufferings of sentient beings.

Therefore, when you sincerely recite "Amitabha Buddha", you will not only be reborn in the Western Paradise, but also be able to stay away from all kinds of disasters and illnesses. Similarly, when you sincerely recite the "Medicine Buddha", you can not only eliminate disasters and disasters, but also be reborn in the Medicine Buddha Pure Land.

No matter what image and name the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are, they all aim to save all sentient beings. They adapt to the nature of sentient beings and do various things that benefit sentient beings according to the needs of sentient beings. They never say: I am only responsible for the needs of sentient beings in a certain aspect.

The intention of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to save sentient beings is the same. For example, Guanyin Bodhisattva represents compassion, Manjushri Bodhisattva represents wisdom, are other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas not compassion and wisdom? They are also compassionate and wise.

Therefore, the "Samuhadra Vow" says: "Be a good doctor for all diseases and sufferings.； Those who lose their way will show their right path ； In the dark night, for light ； For those who are poor, they can be hidden. ”Guanyin Bodhisattva also says that "Praying thousands of places to respond to it, and always making a boat to cross the sea of suffering" and "no one will appear without a barrier." As long as you have a connection with a Buddha and Bodhisattva, this Buddha and Bodhisattva can give you various blessings and protections and teach you to open up your wisdom.

Learn the spirit of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas

So, since the aspirations of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are the same, why distinguish them? This is to show their respective focus and show us different aspects. The names and images of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are all manifested in the Dharma.

For example, the joy and tolerance of Maitreya Bodhisattva； The wisdom of Manjushri Bodhisattva ； The Spirit of Practice of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva ； The Compassion of Guanyin Bodhisattva ； The great vow of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva ； The spirit of the protector of the Dharma of Galan Bodhisattva, etc.

When we study and worship Buddha, we learn the spirit of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, see the image of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, remind ourselves at all times, never forget the teachings of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, practice and practice according to what Buddhas and Bodhisattvas said, learn their compassion, wisdom, and joy and renunciation, let go of delusion, attachment, and distinction, and develop the light and wisdom we possess.

Therefore, if you have the intention to go to the temple to worship Buddha, you don’t have to be obsessed with worshiping a certain Buddha or Bodhisattva. As long as your heart is full of respect and piety, you can worship any Buddha or Bodhisattva and feel his vows and compassion, and you will achieve all your wishes and blessings will increase.