What is the Nitya Edition?
The Nitya Collection consists of anything and everything you might need in your altar or to make your puja successful. It consists of Idols, tea light candle holders, and incense holders, and so on. The idols in this collection are mostly L...
What is the Nitya Edition?
The Nitya Collection consists of anything and everything you might need in your altar or to make you...
What is the Nitya Edition?
The Nitya Collection consists of anything and everything you might need in your altar or to make your puja successful. It consists of Idols, tea light candle holders, and incense holders, and so on. The idols in this collection are mostly Lord Ganesha and Buddha. As interesting as it sounds, did you know that Lord Ganesha has relative significance in Buddhism? Are you wondering what their co-relation or connection might be? Then just keep reading to find out, as we get into it!
Significance of Lord Ganesha in Buddhism
Lord Ganesha is actually also worshipped as a divine being among all the other divine beings that Buddhism has. In the religion of Buddhism. Lord Ganesha is known as Vinayaka. In many of the scriptures and images of important and relevant Buddhist texts and written history, mentions and physical images of Lord Ganesha are found and have been seen, majorly in the texts that belonged to the Gupta Period. In Buddhism, Vinayaka is usually presented and showcased to be in the dancing state, also commonly known as the Nritya Ganapati.
Gautama Buddha as Lord Ganesha himself
In the writings of Ganesha Purana, the Ganesha Sahasranama points out that Gautama Buddha is another name for Lord Ganesha. Buddha’s name is seen to be mentioned at the beginning of the Ganesha Sahasranama. This proves the significance of the name to the authors who mostly belonged to the Ganapatya Sect. Bhaskararaya’s commentary on this text says that Buddha was an avatar of Ganapati or Ganesha. However, in many other sects, it is not considered so. In many of Lord Ganesha’s incarnations, a lot of sects do not count or mention Buddha to be one of them. Therefore, although this information is subjective to sects and beliefs, it is interesting to know and learn. Bhaskararaya also points out that the eternally enlightened form of Ganesha is called Nityabuddah, which is where he believes the extraordinary being’s name comes from.
Visual depictions of Lord Ganesha in Buddhism
In the Sadhanamala, a Buddhist scripture, Ganesha is loved like all divine beings. He is depicted as the elephant-faced god who has a red complexion and matted hair locks. He is adorned with ornaments and has twelve hands and his little pot belly. He is shown in the dancing posture known as arddhaparyankasana. He has a single tusk and three eyes and carries a battle axe, a khapanga, a kapala and a phalaka. And of course, he has a divine mouse by his side as his vahana. In Nispannayogavali, a Buddhist work depicts Ganesha in a white complexion and seated over his vahana, the mouse. With his elephant head, he also has a serpent that serves as yajnopavita aka, the sacred thread. He has four arms. Ganesha is also considered to be a protector and guard in Buddhism. A grand example is seen in the Gelugpa monastery which is situated in Tabo, Himachal Pradesh. Here the image of Lord Ganesha is enshrined on the main entrance to guard the community and complex.