Tejaprabhā Buddha (; ), also known as the Buddha of Blazing Light, is an esoteric Buddha associated with the constellations and other celestial bodies. He became associated with Chinese Esoteric Buddhism during the Tang dynasty.
Iconography Most surviving paintings of Tejaprabhā Buddha date from the Tang to Ming dynasties. Fewer than 100 artworks from this period are known today. Many depict Tejaprabhā with personified planets, constellations, and other celestial deities, alongside elements associated with Daoist astrological traditions.
The surviving images are usually divided into two types. The first is the "bullock cart" type, which became popular during the late Tang and early Song dynasties. It shows Tejaprabhā seated on a lotus throne in a bullock cart, accompanied by five luminary deities holding colored objects. The second is the "preaching" type, which was more common during the Xixia, Liao, and Yuan dynasties. These images show Tejaprabhā meditating or preaching, surrounded by luminaries, constellation deities, and zodiac figures.
Origins
Tejaprabhā Buddha was associated with Chinese Buddhist interest in astrology. The Northern Dipper (Big Dipper) was regarded as a celestial power associated with heaven and human destiny. Daoist religious practices also included astrology, and Buddhist texts incorporated celestial figures and ideas associated with these traditions.
In esoteric Buddhist texts such as the Dhāraṇī of the Tejaprabhā Buddha, Tejaprabhā is associated with the Pole Star and placed at the center of the celestial system. These texts also associate him with celestial phenomena and protection from disasters. Eclipses, comets, and meteors were often regarded as signs of disorder in the heavens. The texts also refer to Rahu and Ketu, which were associated with eclipses. Tejaprabhā's light is described as controlling harmful celestial influences and protecting people from disasters such as famine and war.
During the early Tang dynasty, Buddhist practices incorporated elements of the Daoist celestial system, including the veneration of the Northern Dipper. Tejaprabhā was associated with Buddhist astrology and with protection against astrological disasters, including those attributed to eclipses and planetary movements.
Venerated in Korea
The worship of Tejaprabhā spread from China to Korea and Japan. In Korea, the Buddha is known as Chiseonggwang Yeorae (치성광여래).
During the Goryeo dynasty, Chiseonggwang Yeorae was worshipped in state religious ceremonies. The royal court sponsored Sojae toryang (Rituals for Averting Calamities), large-scale esoteric rites performed to protect the state and avert misfortune associated with celestial phenomena.
The worship of Chiseonggwang Yeorae continued during the Joseon dynasty and became associated with Korean folk religion. Many Korean Buddhist temples have a Chilseonggak (Shrine of the Seven Stars), where Chiseonggwang Yeorae is worshipped together with the Big Dipper and other star deities.
Chiseonggwang Yeorae also appears in accounts concerning the Later Three Kingdoms period. Gung Ye (r. 901–918), the founder of Taebong, is described as having been influenced by the worship of Chiseonggwang Yeorae. According to one interpretation, Gung Ye associated his royal authority and claims of divinity with the deity because Chiseonggwang Yeorae was regarded as a ruler of the stars. The main deity worshipped at Balsapsa, Taebong's royal temple, was Chiseonggwang Yeorae.
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