CELEBRATING THE SACRED DAY OF SKANDA BODHISATTVA (VI ĐÀ HỘ PHÁP), 03/06 LUNAR CALENDAR, PL 2565
Vi Đà Hộ Pháp, also known as Skanda Bodhisattva or Vi Đà Thiên Tướng, is a great guardian deity of Buddhism who vows to protect and safeguard the monastery. He stands as the foremost among the 32 divine generals under the command of the Four Heavenly Kings.
“Homage to the Guardian Bodhisattva
Who compassionately protects the gates of Dharma
As the human world falls into confusion and turmoil
And demons and evil spirits bring terror and unrest.”
Vi Đà Tôn Thiên Bồ Tát, also known as Vi Đà Hộ Pháp or Vi Đà Thiên Tướng, is a great guardian deity of Buddhism who vows to protect and safeguard the monastery. He stands as the foremost among the 32 divine generals under the command of the Four Heavenly Kings. The image of Vi Đà is often depicted alongside the sacred stupa enshrining the Buddha’s relics, symbolizing the safeguarding and protection of the Dharma.
He was originally Skanda, a deity of Brahmanism and son of the Great Sovereign Deity (Maheśvara). After taking refuge in the Three Jewels, he became a guardian deity of Buddhism. Among the ranks of divine protectors, Vi Đà is renowned for his supernatural speed, said to move as swiftly as lightning.
According to legend, after the Śākyamuni Buddha entered parinirvāṇa, the various kings and heavenly rulers gathered to divide the Buddha’s relics. At that time, Śakra, Lord of the Devas, brought the Seven-Treasure Vessel to the cremation site to receive the Buddha’s relics, for the Buddha had earlier granted him a tooth relic to be enshrined in a stupa. Just as Śakra had received the Buddha’s tooth relic into the vessel, a rākṣasa demon seized the opportunity and stole it. Witnessing this, Vi Đà Tôn Thiên gave chase, moving as fast as lightning, and in the blink of an eye captured the rākṣasa, casting him into confinement and restoring the Buddha’s tooth relic to Śakra. From that time onward, Vi Đà has been revered as one who dispels evil spirits, protects the Dharma, and bears the sacred duty of guarding the Buddha’s relic stupa. Since then, his image has been depicted alongside the stupa containing the Buddha’s relics, symbolizing the safeguarding of the Dharma.
Today, many temples enshrine the statue of Vi Đà Bồ Tát together with Tiêu Diện Đại Sĩ, or alongside the statue of Già Lam Thánh Chúng Bồ Tát. This is because the world is full of confusion, disputes, and disturbances; thus, temples require such guardian deities so that the Dharma may always be protected and sheltered, bringing lasting benefit and blessings to all sentient beings.
CELEBRATING THE SACRED DAY OF VI ĐÀ HỘ PHÁP, 03/06 Lunar Calendar. Diệu Tướng Am respectfully wishes all Venerable Monks and Nuns, esteemed Buddhists, and valued customers: "May blessings and virtue endure eternally, and may all things flourish in peace and auspiciousness."
