Why is there the “Eight Personal Deity Practices”?

Some True Buddha practitioners feel especially close to a particular deity, because the deity’s characteristics and vows resonate with the practitioners. Living Buddha Lian-sheng allows practitioners to freely choose the particular deity for their personal deity practice, in the hope that they may attain a faster spiritual response. By opening this gateway to expedient methods, Living Buddha Lian-sheng demonstrated compassion for his disciples.

The Eight Personal Deity Practices” of the True Buddha School, is in accordance to the vows of the respective Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, which are as follows:
  • Amitabha Buddha — to save numerous humans and devas, accepting all with no bias, has 48 great vows, all for the liberation of sentient beings.

  • Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva — Bodhisattva with greatest loving-kindness and greatest compassion. Guan-zi-zai.

  • Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva — Bodhisattva in the hell realm, focuses on liberation of evil beings in the lower realms, has the greatest vow.

  • Cundi Buddha Mother— Pure and tranquil temperament that shines bright, fulfills all undertakings.

  • Vaisravana (Yellow Jambhala) — Protects the Dharma, a dharma protector that upholds the Dharma, bestows the greatest fortune.

  • Padmasambhava— Has both the natures of a Bodhisattva and indestructible Vajra. The Lineage Master and Dharma Propagator of Tantrayana Buddhism.

  • Padmakumara— Primary deity of the Maha Twin Lotus Ponds Pure Land, the Great Blessing Vajra with body and mind in a state of peace and happiness, possesses great wisdom.

  • Medicine Buddha (King of Lapis Lazuli Radiance) — Has twelve great vows, to save all from the agony of illness and suffering resulting from the cycle of life and death.