Who Is the Qielan Bodhisattva?

Introduction to Sangharama Bodhisattva

"Sangharama" is a general term for a monastery or Buddhist practice center, and it also refers to the protective deities associated with these places. In a narrow sense, it means the guardian spirit of a monastery's land. More broadly, it encompasses all the benevolent celestial beings who support and uphold the Dharma. According to the Sutra of the Great Dharani Mantras of the Seven Buddhas and Eight Bodhisattvas, these spirits are specifically tasked with guarding temples.

The Buddha spoke of eighteen deities who protect the monastery: Beautiful Sound, Brahma Sound, Heavenly Drum, Marvelous Sigh, Sigh of Beauty, Wondrous Marvel, Thunderous Voice, Lion, Marvelous Praise, Brahma Echo, Human Voice, Servant of the Buddha, Praise of Virtue, Wide-Eyed, Marvelous Eyes, All-Hearing, All-Seeing, and Universal Sight. Collectively, they are known as the Eighteen Sangharama Spirits. Among these protectors, Sangharama Bodhisattva—often represented by the historical figure Guan Gong—stands as the primary icon. Sangharama is a place of non-contention, a vow to shelter a pure land with one's own body.

History

Sangharama Bodhisattva is most commonly embodied by the image of Guan Gong. Since the Tang and Song dynasties, Chan Buddhist monasteries in China have observed the custom of enshrining Sangharama deities. As the ancient text Essentials for Buddhists notes: "Since monasteries are protected by these eighteen spirits, those who dwell within them should practice diligently. They must not be lazy or do wrong, lest they invite immediate karmic retribution."

One might wonder—with countless Sangharama monasteries across the world, how can only eighteen spirits possibly guard them all? The text offers a simple answer: "All deities have countless attendants who can share the burden of protection."

Holy Birthday

The birthday of Sangharama Bodhisattva is celebrated on the thirteenth day of the fifth lunar month.

Sangharama:

1. An abbreviation of Sengqielanmo (Sangharama). This translates from Sanskrit as "garden of the assembly," referring to the gardens or grounds where the monastic community resides. It serves as a general term for a temple.
2. A reference to the Dharma protectors of Buddhism.

Sangharama Deities: The spirits who guard the monastery. The Buddha spoke of eighteen such protectors: Beautiful Sound, Brahma Sound, Heavenly Drum, Marvelous Sigh, Sigh of Beauty, Wondrous Marvel, Thunderous Voice, Lion, Marvelous Praise, Brahma Echo, Human Voice, Servant of the Buddha, Praise of Virtue, Wide-Eyed, Marvelous Eyes, All-Hearing, All-Seeing, and Universal Sight. Collectively, they are known as the Sagely Sangharama Bodhisattvas. They are most often represented by the figure of Sangharama Bodhisattva (Guan Gong).

Guan Gong (also known as Emperor Guan) began as a historical figure from the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. A fierce general under the warlord Liu Bei, he was renowned for his unwavering integrity. He was ultimately killed by Sun Quan's forces during a northern campaign against the state of Cao Wei. Over the centuries, popular folk religion deified Guan Yu, eventually embracing him into the Buddhist fold as Sangharama Bodhisattva. Today, Sangharama Bodhisattva and Skanda (Wei Tuo) Bodhisattva stand as two of Buddhism's greatest Dharma protectors—Sangharama serving as the right protector, Skanda as the left.

When sculpted into statues, Emperor Guan's features and expressions follow a standard of bold, unrestrained heroism. His eyes and brows radiate a fierce, martial spirit. The stark contrast between the heavy black elements and the deep red base of his face reflects his unyielding nature. The facial contours are deeply three-dimensional, and the long black beard framing his mouth—a feature added by later generations—lends the figure a lifelike realism. He typically wears a black hat with trailing, tied ribbons.

Most statues depict Sangharama Bodhisattva draped in a dark green, round-collared robe. Over his chest, he wears a piece of armor, projecting an aura of martial splendor. The robe is richly decorated: dragon motifs soar across the stomach and knees, while cloud patterns scatter across the fabric. Petal motifs in red and orange trace the cuffs and hem, and an outer layer is often added. On his feet are black shoes detailed with simple lines, the toes curling slightly upward. In one hand, he holds his legendary Green Dragon Crescent Blade. This distinct iconography solidified during the twelfth century.

Folk Legends

Sangharama deities are the Dharma protectors who guard monasteries. In folk traditions, they are respectfully called "Lord Sangharama" or "Lord Sangharama of a Thousand Years." The Comprehensive History of the Buddhas and Patriarchs records the story of how Sangharama Bodhisattva formally took refuge in Buddhism, featuring the great Master Zhiyi:

The Master had traveled to Jingzhou with the intention of founding a hermitage. One day, the spirit of Guan Yu appeared to him, expressing a desire to build a temple and protect the Dharma. Seven days later, the Master emerged from a deep meditative state to find a magnificent, brilliantly adorned building standing before him. Leading his followers inside, he began teaching the Dharma day and night.

Eventually, the spirit approached the Master, saying, "I have heard the supramundane teachings. I seek to receive the precepts, to make the path of Bodhi my eternal foundation."

The Master then administered the Five Precepts, and the spirit officially became a Buddhist Dharma protector. Because of his loyalty, filial piety, integrity, and righteousness, the common people venerate Guan Yunchang, building temples in his honor known as martial temples or Guandi temples.

Myths and Tales

Furthermore, the Guardian of the Bodhimanda known as Pure Adorned Banner attained the gate of liberation through the vow to manifest vast, magnificent offerings to the Buddha. The Guardian of the Bodhimanda known as Sumeru Precious Light attained the gate of liberation by appearing before all sentient beings to help them fulfill their vast Bodhisattva practices. The Guardian of the Bodhimanda known as Thunderous Voice and Banner Characteristics attained the gate of liberation by fulfilling the hearts' desires of all beings, allowing them to see the Buddha teaching them in dreams. The Guardian of the Bodhimanda known as Raining Flowers and Marvelous Eyes attained the gate of liberation by raining down all manner of hard-to-renounce, precious adornments. The Guardian of the Bodhimanda known as Pure Flame Form attained the gate of liberation by manifesting wondrously adorned bodhimandas to widely transform and mature sentient beings. The Guardian of the Bodhimanda known as Flowered Tassels and Pendulous Topknot attained the gate of liberation by teaching the Dharma according to beings' capacities, bringing forth right mindfulness. The Guardian of the Bodhimanda known as Raining Jewels and Adornments attained the gate of liberation by using eloquence to universally rain down boundless teachings of joy. The Guardian of the Bodhimanda known as Courageous Fragrant Eyes attained the gate of liberation through extensively praising the merits and virtues of all Buddhas. The Guardian of the Bodhimanda known as Vajra Colored Clouds attained the gate of liberation by manifesting boundless, majestic trees to adorn the bodhimanda. The Guardian of the Bodhimanda known as Lotus Flower Light attained the gate of liberation through sitting silently and unmoving beneath the Bodhi tree, while pervading all ten directions. The Guardian of the Bodhimanda known as Wondrous Light Illumination attained the gate of liberation by displaying the various spiritual powers of the Tathagata.

At that time, the Guardian of the Bodhimanda known as Pure Adorned Banner, relying on the spiritual power of the Buddha, universally gazed upon the entire assembly of bodhimanda guardians.

Sangharama Temples

Across China, you'll find many temples explicitly named "Qielan Temple" (Sangharama Temple). Cities like Luoyang, Jilin, Wuxi, and Suzhou all have their own. These sites often serve as both vibrant Buddhist centers and popular tourist destinations.

Originally, "Sangharama" simply meant the gardens where monks lived. Over time, it naturally evolved into a standard term for any monastery or monastic hall. In the classic historical text A Record of Buddhist Monasteries in Luoyang, "Sangharama" is used broadly to describe the countless Buddhist temples that once graced the city.