Patron Buddha (Zodiac Guardian) for People Born in the Year of the Rat Birth Time for People Born in the Year of the Rat: (All dates and times are in the Gregorian calendar)
- February 4, 2008, 07:03 to February 4, 2009, 00:52
- February 4, 1996, 21:15 to February 4, 1997, 03:04
- February 4, 1984, 23:29 to February 4, 1985, 05:19
- February 5, 1972, 01:32 to February 4, 1973, 07:23
- February 5, 1960, 03:37 to February 4, 1961, 09:27
- February 5, 1948, 05:41 to February 4, 1949, 11:30
- February 5, 1936, 07:45 to February 4, 1937, 13:34
- February 5, 1924, 09:50 to February 4, 1925, 15:37
The Patron Buddha for people born in the Year of the Rat is: Thousand-Handed Guanyin Bodhisattva
Thousand-Handed Guanyin Bodhisattva, also known as Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin Bodhisattva, is one of the four major Bodhisattvas revered in Chinese folk beliefs. Thousand-Handed Guanyin serves as the left attendant of Amitabha Buddha and, together with Amitabha Buddha and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva (Amitabha’s right attendant), they are collectively referred to as the “Three Saints of the West”.
According to Buddhist scriptures, the thousand hands of Guanyin Bodhisattva symbolize her ability to protect all beings, while her thousand eyes represent her ability to observe the world. From the Tang Dynasty onwards, statues of Thousand-Handed Guanyin gradually became the main objects of worship in many Chinese temples. The image of Thousand-Handed Guanyin Bodhisattva is often depicted with six or forty-two hands as a symbol of her thousand hands, each hand containing an eye.
Buddhism believes that the sufferings and troubles of sentient beings are diverse, and their needs and wishes vary. Therefore, numerous boundless powers and wisdom are required to guide and help all beings. According to the “Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin Bodhisattva’s Great Compassion Dharani Sutra,” when Guanyin Bodhisattva heard the Thousand Lights King Tathagata expounding this sutra in a past kalpa, she made a vow for the benefit of all beings: “If in the future I am able to bring benefit, comfort, and joy to all beings, may I immediately attain a body with a thousand hands and a thousand eyes.” Upon making this vow, she instantly manifested a body with a thousand hands and eyes. Whether beings desire wealth or wish to eliminate disasters and difficulties, Thousand-Handed Guanyin Bodhisattva can extend her great compassion to relieve various sufferings and bestow all kinds of happiness. Buddhism believes that as long as one devoutly believes in and worships Thousand-Handed Guanyin Bodhisattva, they can receive four great benefits: eliminating disasters, gaining blessings, gaining respect from others, and subduing negative forces. Thousand-Handed Guanyin Bodhisattva is a revered figure in the Guanyin division of Buddhist practice, and “thousand” symbolizes boundlessness and perfection. The “thousand hands” represent her boundless and vast compassion, while the “thousand eyes” symbolize the perfection and unobstructed nature of her wisdom.
For people born in the Year of the Rat, their connection and responsiveness to Thousand-Handed Guanyin Bodhisattva are the strongest. Therefore, those born in the Year of the Rat, if they devoutly wear or worship the statue of Thousand-Handed Guanyin Bodhisattva as their Patron Buddha, they will find everything going smoothly and their wishes coming true.
Birthdays of Thousand-Handed Guanyin Bodhisattva:
- Birthday: 19th day of the 2nd lunar month
- Enlightenment Day: 19th day of the 6th lunar month
- Ordination Day: 19th day of the 9th lunar month
On these commemorative days, you can pray for blessings, offer incense at home, or visit temples to offer incense. Normally, you can also recite the name and mantra of the Bodhisattva. It is important to note that in Buddhist festivals, except for the historical facts of Sakyamuni Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana, the birthdays of other Bodhisattvas like Manjusri, Guanyin, and Maitreya are recognized by the community as days when these Bodhisattvas or revered masters manifested in the world to teach or achieve enlightenment. These dates are not derived from Buddhist scriptures. Buddhist practitioners should understand this and recognize these commemorations as expedient means to guide beings toward the correct understanding of Buddhism.
Sacred Sites of Thousand-Handed Guanyin Bodhisattva:
- Putuo Mountain in Zhejiang, China
- Potala Palace in Tibet
Sacred sites are traditionally believed to be the places where Buddhas or Bodhisattvas manifested, attained enlightenment, or expounded the Dharma. Seeking blessings from Buddhas and Bodhisattvas is not limited to these sacred sites; one can silently recite the name of a Buddha or Bodhisattva and pray for blessings anywhere and at any time.
