Tiger Zodiac Sign’s Patron Buddha (Zodiac Guardian Deity)
Birth time of those born in the Year of the Tiger: (All dates are based on the Gregorian calendar)
From February 4, 2010, 6:48 am to February 4, 2011, 12:32 pm
From February 4, 1998, 8:53 am to February 4, 1999,14:42 pm
From February 4,1986 ,11:09 am to February.4 ,1987 ,16 :58pm
From February.4 ,1974 .13 :12pm to Feburary.5 .1975 .21 :02pm
From Feburary.2 .1962 .15 :16pmto Feburary.3 .1963 .21 :06pm
From Feburary.1,.1950,.17:.20p.m.toFebuary..2,.1951.,23:.10p.m.
From Janury..30,.1938.,19:.23p.m.toFebuary..5.,1939.,01:.14a.m.
From January..28th,,1926,,21st:,39th,p,m,toFebruary…5th,,1927,,,03rd:,18m,
The patron Buddha for people born in the Year of the Tiger is Akasagarbha Bodhisattva.
Akasagarbha Bodhisattva’s Sanskrit name is AKASAGARBHA (transliterated as Agasha Bopu), also known as Kuzang Jingang in Chinese Buddhism and one of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas in Buddhism. Akasagarbha Bodhisattva is considered as a primary minister among all Buddhas throughout three eras with immense merits that fill up empty space; his wisdom is boundless like countless grains of sand, his patience is as strong as a diamond, and he is diligent like a swift wind. He possesses all kinds of Samadhi (meditative absorption). He is the supreme field of merit for all sentient beings and should be worshipped by humans and celestial beings alike.
Among many Bodhisattvas, Akasagarbha Bodhisattva specializes in wisdom, merits, and wealth. His wisdom, merits, and wealth are as vast as empty space itself. He can fulfill the wishes of people and bring infinite benefits to sentient beings; hence he has this name. Akasagarbha Bodhisattva has already attained Buddhahood in another realm but manifests himself in the form of a Bodhisattva to assist Shakyamuni Buddha in teaching sentient beings.
According to the “Akasagarbha Sutra,” Shakyamuni Buddha highly praised Akasagarbha Bodhisattva: “This Bodhisattva possesses various Samadhi just like an ocean; abides by precepts like Mount Sumeru; has a mind that endures humiliation like a diamond; is diligent and courageous like a swift wind; possesses wisdom as vast as empty space; has knowledge equal to countless grains of sand on the Ganges River. Among all other bodhisattvas, he resembles the great victory banner that leads towards nirvana.” His body represents all Buddhist instruments…he is the supreme field of merit for all sentient beings throughout three eras…the primary minister among Buddhas who protects Dharma City…possessing eighteen exclusive secret treasures…fulfilling Buddha’s wisdom…should be worshipped by humans and celestial beings except Tathagata.”
In the 8th century AD, faith in Akasagarbha spread to Japan where it became popular among monks who practiced methods related to memory enhancement through reciting mantras dedicated to him. The Japanese monk Kukai also practiced this method. In the folk tradition, Akasagarbha Bodhisattva is widely believed to enhance fortune, wisdom, and ward off disasters. The level of devotion to Akasagarbha Bodhisattva in Japan far surpasses that in China.
Akasagarbha Bodhisattva possesses the power to bestow benefits and joy. “藏” represents infinite merits and wisdom while “虚空” means vastness. As stated in the Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra: Just like a wealthy person who responds to suffering sentient beings, as long as one approaches him with sincerity, he will provide relief. Therefore, Akasagarbha Bodhisattva is a bodhisattva who brings happiness by helping sentient beings.
The Bodhisattva Akasagarbha is a symbol of honesty and wealth. Not being empty or false, he is the god of wealth in the Buddhist realm. When you wear and worship him with respect, it can help you avoid financial losses and disasters, keep your financial path smooth and unobstructed, accumulate wealth, receive assistance from all directions, stay away from malicious people, and prosper both personally and financially.
People born in the Year of the Tiger have the strongest affinity with Bodhisattva Akasagarbha. Therefore, if those born in the Year of the Tiger sincerely wear or offer reverence to his image as their personal Buddha’s teaching object (Buddhist statue), they can attain supreme merits, wisdom, abundant sources of wealth without fear of scarcity.
The Birthday of Akasagarbha Bodhisattva
Only Buddhas or Bodhisattvas who have manifested in this world to teach the Dharma have their birthdays known to us. There is no record of Akasagarbha Bodhisattva appearing in this world, so his birthday is unknown. The merits of Akasagarbha Bodhisattva are vast and encompassing, and as long as one has sincerity, any day can be chosen as a commemoration for his birthday blessings. For those who require a specific date for commemoration, they may choose the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, which is the birthday of Shakyamuni Buddha.
On the birthday of a Bodhisattva, one can pray for blessings, offer incense at home or visit temples. It is also beneficial to recite the name and mantra of the Bodhisattva regularly.
It should be noted that among Buddhist festivals, apart from historical events such as Shakyamuni Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana; other celebrations such as Manjushri Bodhisattva’s birthday, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s birthday, Maitreya Bodhisattva’s birthday etc., are recognized by tradition or established by great masters and ancestors rather than being mentioned in Buddhist scriptures. Buddhists should understand that these are expedient means used to guide sentient beings towards entering into correct understanding (right view).
The Field of Vairocana Bodhisattva
According to tradition, a field is where a Buddha or Bodhisattva attains enlightenment or delivers teachings. Vairocana Bodhisattva’s meditation is as vast as the ocean, his precepts are as solid as mountains, his wisdom is like empty space, his diligence is like the wind, his patience is like a diamond, and his understanding is as numerous as grains of sand. Currently, there isn’t a specific place that can be designated as the Field of Vairocana Bodhisattva. Regardless of any temple or location, one can sincerely recite the name of the bodhisattva in their heart and have faith in remembrance while earnestly praying for blessings.
