Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, also known as the Universally Worthy Bodhisattva, is one of the Three Venerables of Shakyamuni. This bodhisattva is always on the right of Shakyamuni Buddha, representing the guardian of the Law, the lord of the Law and the practice of all Buddhas.

Samantabhadra usually reposes with dignity on a six-tusked white elephant while Manjusri rides on a lion. He holds a sword indicating that the Law is the basis of wisdom.

Samantabhadra is the patron of the Lotus Sutra and its devotees, and has close connection with the Avatamsaka Sutra.

Like Manjusri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra is also assigned his universe in the east. In China, people worship Samantabhadra as the object of pilgrimage in Emei Shan (Mountain), which is regarded as his dwelling place.

Samantabhadra is also a great Bodhisattva of the Tenth Stage, with the particular quality representing cultivation and practice. He is one of the Four Great Bodhisattva, The Bodhisattva of Great Conduct.

He has Ten Great Vows, which are the scope of practices in Buddhism. They are:

  1. To worship and respect all Buddhas.
  2. To make praises to the Thus Come Ones.
  3. To practice profoundly the giving of offerings.
  4. To repent and reform all karmic hindrance.
  5. To rejoice and follow in merit and virtue.
  6. To request that the Dharma wheel be turned.
  7. To request that the Buddhas remain in the world.
  8. To always follow the Buddha's teaching.
  9. To constantly accord with all living beings.
  10. To transfer all merit and virtue universally.

Regarding his past history, he is said to be born by being transformed from a lotus of the seven gems by means of the wisdom.

Here's the praise to Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, which is usually chanted on his birthday (21st of February in the lunar calender).