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There are many bodhisattva mentioned in the various Mahayana Sutras. The Eight Great Bodhisattva are a later grouping of what are considered the most important. In the Mahayana Sutra Tradition there are several lists of eight and sixteen great bodhisattva. Following that, in the Himalayan and Tibetan tradition, the names are generally listed as found below. In the Pali Sutras only two bodhisattva are mentioned, the historical buddha with reference to his previous lives (Jatakamala), and the buddha of the coming eon, Maitreya, currently residing in the Tushita heaven. The meaning and function of the eight bodhisattva as depicted in Himalayan art is to represent the Mahayana Sutras and teachings along with the congregation of enlightened students of the Buddha.
Eight Great Bodhisattva:
Akashagarbha: Womb of Space Sutra
Avalokiteshvara: Heart Sutra, Lotus of the Good Law Sutra
Kshitigarbha: Earth Store Sutra
Maitreya: mentioned in the Pali Sutras as the next buddha, Mahayana Sutras
Manjushri: Vimalakirti-nirdesha Sutra, Flower Garland Sutra, Prajnaparamita Sutras
Nivarana-vishkhambhin
Samantabhadra: Lotus of the Good Law Sutra, Flower Garland Sutra
Vajrapani: Early Sutras
Other Important Bodhisattva:
- Suryaprabha (Medicine Buddha)
- Chandrprabha (Medicine Buddha)
- Others
