"Difficult to do, can be done (Exquisite Illustrations Edition) -- Daxing Putian Bodhisattva (Series of Text and Images of the Four Great Bodhisattvas of Chinese Buddhism)"

Author: Xu Ming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: This book is one of the illustrated texts in the series on Buddhist culture introducing the Four Great Bodhisattvas of Chinese Buddhism. It is a companion piece to the already published Infinite Guanyin and the upcoming Manjushri Bodhisattva and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. The book is divided into seven chapters:
1. The Great Practice Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra—The name, biography, cultivation, and status of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva;
2. The Universe Has Limits, but Wishes Are Endless—The scriptures of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and his thoughts on great practice;
3. Countless Means to Lead the Bewildered—The faith and rituals of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva;
4. Manifesting in Billions of Forms to Aid Living Beings—The manifestations of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva;
5. Samantabhadra in the Streets and Alleys—Samantabhadra in Ming and Qing Dynasty novels;
6. Noble and Majestic, Seated on the Six-Tusked Elephant—The paintings and sculptures of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva;
7. Famous Mountains Are Full of Scenic Spots—Temples, pagodas, and scenic spots associated with Samantabhadra Bodhisattva.
The main text of the book contains 62,000 words and includes 148 illustrations. The title was inscribed by Venerable Yongshou, Vice President of the Chinese Buddhist Association and abbot of Mount Emei.
The author is highly skilled in the research of Buddhist classics, extensively collecting and citing sources. He offers unique insights into the formation of the Four Great Sacred Sites of Chinese Buddhism and the formation and influence of the faith in Samantabhadra, one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas of China. The language is simple and accessible.
The book is published in large 32-page format, printed in color with exquisite and elegant illustrations, making it a visually rich and engaging read. It is an accessible and popular book that combines the study of Buddhist culture with the appreciation of tourism culture.