Upon Sudhana's attainment of Supreme Enlightenment, the illustrious bodhisattva Samantabhadra, went on to make a vow. This sacred pledge, became to be known as the "Bhadra-Cari-Praṇidhāna" or the "Aspiration for the Good Life."
The Bhadra-cari-praṇidhāna is a profound prayer within the realm of Mahayana Buddhism. This Sanskrit term encapsulates the heartfelt commitment and dedication of practitioners towards living a virtuous life and embodying the ideals of compassion, wisdom, and altruism.
The Bhadra-cari-praṇidhāna serves as a guiding light for followers on their spiritual journey. It is through this prayer that practitioners express their aspirations to emulate Samantabhadra's virtues and cultivate positive qualities in order to benefit all sentient beings.
The reliefs depicting the Bhadra-cari-praṇidhāna at Borobudur temple showcase an exceptional combination of aesthetic appeal and remarkable preservation. In contrast to earlier reliefs, the text being illustrated in these reliefs is more readily identifiable, providing a stronger foundation for interpretation. Here, I present the descriptions alongside the verses of the Bhadra-cari-praṇidhāna that served as their inspiration.