de bzhin gshegs pa bzhi

the four tathagatas [IW]

the four tathagatas [rgyal ba rin chen mang, gzugs mdzes dam pa, sku 'byams klas, 'jigs pa thams cad dang bral ba] [IW]

The Four Tathāgatas, a group of four special Buddhas who are often invoked at the beginning of rituals for protection and blessings. Their names are Many Jewels or Many Treasures (rin chen mang), Sublimely Beautiful Form (gzugs mdzes dam pa), Infinite Body (sku 'byams klas), and Free from All Fear ('jigs pa thams cad dang bral ba). Their verse of praise is usually in the following standard format:

DÉ-ZHIN-SHEK-PA RIN-CH'EN-MANG LA CH'AK-TS'EL LO Homage to the Tathāgata Many Treasures.

DÉ-ZHIN-SHEK-PA ZUK-DZEY-PA DAM-PA LA CH'AK-TS'EL LO Homage to the Tathāgata Sublimely Beautiful Form.

DÉ-ZHIN-SHEK-PA KU-JAM-LAY LA CH'AK-TS'EL LO Homage to the Tathāgata Infinite Body.

DÉ-ZHIN-SHEK-PA JIK-PA-T'AM-CH'AY-DANG-DREL-WA LA CH'AK-TS'EL LO Homage to the Tathāgata Free from All Fear.

[Erick Tsiknopoulos]