Have you ever wondered how Buddhist teachings can help bring clarity and healing to your life? One of the most illuminating figures in Mahayana Buddhism is Sunlight Bodhisattva (日光菩萨), a deity often associated with light, wisdom, and vitality. Commonly paired with Moonlight Bodhisattva (月光菩萨), Sunlight Bodhisattva symbolizes the duality and harmony of cosmic energies. Through his sutras and mantras, practitioners can connect with healing energy, dispel darkness, and achieve spiritual clarity.
Let’s dive deeper into the significance of Sunlight Bodhisattva, explore the sutras and mantras dedicated to him, and uncover the practical benefits of incorporating these teachings into daily practice.
Who Is Sunlight Bodhisattva ?
Sunlight Bodhisattva is a celestial bodhisattva often depicted alongside 月光菩萨, forming a divine triad with the Medicine Buddha (药师佛). Together, they represent light and healing energies, where Sunlight embodies the radiance of the sun—symbolizing enlightenment, vitality, and the dispelling of ignorance.
In Buddhist iconography, Sunlight Bodhisattva is usually shown with a radiant golden aura, holding a lotus or a sun disk. His presence signifies the power to illuminate the path to liberation and provide warmth, strength, and clarity to all beings.
Several important sutras highlight the role of Sunlight Bodhisattva in healing and spiritual liberation. In the Medicine Buddha Sutra (药师经), Sunlight Bodhisattva is a key figure assisting the Medicine Buddha in curing physical and mental ailments, pledging to help sentient beings overcome suffering, darkness, and ignorance. In the Great Compassion Sutra (大悲经), while primarily centered on Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin), Sunlight Bodhisattva is honored as part of the assembly of bodhisattvas spreading compassion and light across the world. Additionally, the Sutra of the Golden Light (金光明经) invokes Sunlight Bodhisattva as a source of cosmic illumination, emphasizing his ability to transform negativity into wisdom and guide beings toward enlightenment.
The Benefits of Practicing Sunlight Bodhisattva’s Teachings
Healing and Vitality:
Sunlight Bodhisattva’s energy is associated with the sun, a symbol of life force. Chanting his mantra and meditating on his image can help improve mental clarity, strengthen emotional resilience, and even promote physical healing.
Dispelling Darkness:
Just as sunlight banishes shadows, Sunlight Bodhisattva’s teachings are believed to dispel ignorance, fear, and doubt. His sutras and mantras are often used to overcome emotional blockages and cultivate inner peace.
Enhancing Spiritual Growth:
The light of Sunlight Bodhisattva represents the path to enlightenment. By focusing on his teachings, practitioners can deepen their understanding of Buddhist principles and cultivate qualities like compassion, patience, and wisdom.
Connecting to Cosmic Harmony:
Paired with Moon Bodhisattva, Sunlight Bodhisattva symbolizes the balance of yin and yang, light and dark. Meditating on their combined energies can bring harmony to one’s inner and outer world, fostering a sense of unity with the cosmos.
The Mantra of Sunlight Bodhisattva
At the heart of the practice is the Sunlight Bodhisattva mantra, a sacred chant that helps you align with his healing, wisdom, and compassion. The version we’ll use here is:
“Namo Buddha Gunami, Namo Dharma Mahadhi, Namo Sangha Dayani, Tri Bubi Saduoyan Namo.”
This mantra is a way of paying homage to the Three Jewels in Buddhism: the Buddha, the Dharma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the community of practitioners). These are the foundations of Buddhist practice, and through chanting this mantra, we invite their light and guidance into our lives. Each part of the mantra has a deeper meaning:
- Namo Buddha Gunami: This phrase honors the Buddha, the awakened teacher who illuminates the path to enlightenment. “Gunami” refers to the Buddha’s extraordinary qualities, such as compassion, wisdom, and purity.
- Namo Dharma Mahadhi: Here, we pay homage to the Dharma, the Buddha’s teachings that offer profound wisdom and truth. “Mahadhi” reflects the greatness of these teachings, which lead to insight and liberation.
- Namo Sangha Dayani: This part expresses respect for the Sangha, the community of practitioners who support one another on the spiritual journey. “Dayani” suggests protection, generosity, or compassion, qualities embodied by the Sangha.
- Tri Bubi Saduoyan Namo: This phrase refers to the “Three Realms” of existence—Desire, Form, and Formless realms—which encompass all sentient beings. By chanting this, we dedicate the light and wisdom of Sunlight Bodhisattva to all realms, wishing for healing, harmony, and peace.
If this mantra sounds different from one you’ve learned before, don’t worry! Mantras often vary due to regional traditions, lineage practices, or transliterations. As Buddhism spread across different cultures, the original Sanskrit mantras were adapted into local languages such as Chinese, Tibetan, and Japanese, resulting in subtle differences. Oral transmission over centuries also introduced variations in pronunciation or structure.
No matter the version, the essence of the mantra remains the same. Its power lies in the intention and devotion you bring to the practice, not in the exact wording. Trust the mantra you’ve been taught or feel most drawn to. Over time, you may explore different variations and discover which resonates most deeply with your heart.
Chanting this mantra is more than just repeating words—it’s a way of connecting with the radiant energy of Sunlight Bodhisattva. Each repetition invites his light into your life, guiding you toward healing, clarity, and peace. Let the mantra flow naturally, and allow its vibrations to carry you into a state of warmth and serenity.
Illuminating Your Path with Sunlight Bodhisattva
Maybe you’re looking for a way to find clarity, healing, or just some extra light in your life. Let me share something special with you—how to connect with the energy of Sunlight Bodhisattva through a simple yet powerful practice. We’ll use his mantra alongside visualization and meditation techniques to help you feel more balanced, peaceful, and even energized.
Creating the Right Space for Practice
Before jumping into the practice, it’s important to set the stage. Find a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed. You might want to light a candle or some incense—this can symbolize Sunlight Bodhisattva’s radiance and help create a calming atmosphere. Then, get comfortable. You can sit on a cushion, a chair, or even stand if that’s easier for you. Just keep your back straight but relaxed so your energy can flow freely.
Take a moment to set an intention for your practice. For example, you might say to yourself, “I want to heal my mind and heart,” or “May the light of Sunlight Bodhisattva guide me to peace and wisdom.” This step is like planting a little seed for what you want to grow in your life through this practice.
Step 1: Calming Your Mind
Let’s start by quieting your thoughts so you can be fully present. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Inhale deeply through your nose for a count of four, hold it for two, and then exhale slowly through your mouth for six. Do this a few times.
As you breathe, try imagining each inhale filling your body with a warm, golden light. When you exhale, picture any tension or worries leaving your body. This step helps you feel calm and ready—it’s like preparing the soil before planting seeds.
Step 2: Visualizing Sunlight Bodhisattva’s Light
Now, let’s bring Sunlight Bodhisattva into your mind’s eye. Picture him seated on a lotus throne, glowing like the morning sun. His entire being radiates a golden light that spreads in all directions, filling the space around you.
If you find it hard to imagine a figure, that’s okay! Just visualize a brilliant golden light instead—it works just as well.
Now, imagine that this light starts flowing toward you. It gently enters the crown of your head and spreads throughout your body, filling you with warmth, healing energy, and clarity. As this light moves, it clears away any negativity, pain, or darkness. Feel it settling in your heart, transforming you into a source of light and peace yourself.
Step 3: Chanting the Mantra
Here’s where the mantra comes in. You’ll chant:
“Namo Buddha Gunami, Namo Dharma Mahadhi, Namo Sangha Dayani, Tri Bubi Saduoyan Namo.”
Start chanting it slowly and mindfully. You can say it out loud if you feel comfortable, or silently in your mind if you prefer. Focus on the sound and rhythm of the words, letting them resonate with your breath.
As you chant, visualize Sunlight Bodhisattva’s light growing stronger and brighter. Let it fill not only your body but also your surroundings—your home, your loved ones, your community, and even the entire world.
Step 4: Resting in the Light
Once you’ve chanted for a few minutes, let the words fade away and sit quietly. Imagine yourself completely surrounded by the golden light you’ve created. It’s as though you’re soaking in the sun’s warmth, feeling safe, peaceful, and connected.
Stay here as long as you like. This part of the practice is about simply being—letting the light fill you with its energy and wisdom. You might even feel a sense of oneness, where you and the light become inseparable.
Step 5: Closing Your Practice
When you’re ready to finish, take a moment to express gratitude. You can silently say, “Thank you, Sunlight Bodhisattva, for your light and guidance.” Then, dedicate the positive energy you’ve created to others. Say something like, “May this light bring healing and peace to all beings.”
Take a few deep breaths, slowly open your eyes, and return to your day. Hopefully, you’ll feel a renewed sense of energy and clarity, carrying that golden light with you wherever you go.
Making This Practice Part of Your Life
You can make this a regular part of your routine in different ways:
- Morning Boost: Start your day with a quick mantra and light visualization to set a positive tone.
- Healing Moments: Use the mantra when you or someone you care about needs emotional or physical healing.
- Sending Light: Visualize Sunlight Bodhisattva’s light spreading to people, places, or situations that need compassion and peace.
Why This Practice Is Powerful
Every time you chant Sunlight Bodhisattva’s mantra or visualize his light, you’re inviting healing and clarity into your life. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about setting an intention and showing up. Over time, this simple practice can transform how you feel and how you interact with the world.
Think of it like planting seeds. With patience and consistency, those seeds will grow into something beautiful—a life filled with light, wisdom, and compassion.
So, my friend, as you finish this practice, remember that the light of Sunlight Bodhisattva is always within you. Whenever life feels heavy or uncertain, come back to this mantra, this visualization, and this peaceful energy.
The journey is one step at a time, and each ray of sunlight will guide you further along your path. You’ve got this. Let’s keep walking this luminous path together. 😊
简体中文 
English