Samantabhadra, also known as Kuntu Sangpo in Tibetan, is a prominent bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism. His name means "He Who is All-Pervadingly Good." Samantabhadra embodies the principles of compassionate action, meditation, and vows, representing the active expression of wisdom and virtue in the world.
He is renowned for his Ten Great Vows, which include offering homage to all Buddhas, praising the Enlightened Ones, making abundant offerings, confessing past misdeeds, rejoicing in others' merits and virtues, requesting the Buddhas to teach, requesting the Buddhas to remain in the world, following the teachings of the Buddhas, benefiting all sentient beings, and dedicating all merits and virtues for the benefit of all beings. These vows guide practitioners in cultivating a life of altruism and spiritual dedication.
In this Thangka, Samantabhadra is depicted embracing his consort in the yab-yum position, symbolizing the union of wisdom and compassion, or skillful means and wisdom. This sacred union represents the inseparability of these two aspects in the attainment of enlightenment.
His skin color is blue, represents the infinite expanse of space and the vastness of primordial awareness.
He is depicted naked, signifying his pure, undefiled nature and the original state of the mind, free from all conceptual overlays.
He is usually shown seated on lotus throne in ‘vajra’ posture, (legs crossed with feet resting on opposite thighs) with his hands in the gesture of meditation (dhyana mudra), he embodies perfect meditative absorption and the unchanging nature of enlightened awareness.