BhadrapÃÂla ("Auspicious Protector", ; ; ; ; ) is a lay bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism. He is recognized as one of the eight prominent bodhisattvas who pledged to safeguard and promote the true Dharma (saddharma) during the period of Dharma decline. Additionally, he is mentioned in the Dazhidulun as one of sixteen significant bodhisattvas who retained their status as householders.
In the MahÃÂratnakà «á¹Âa Sà «tra, BhadrapÃÂla is described as the son of a prosperous merchant (gá¹Âhapati), living a life of luxury. The PratyutpannasamÃÂdhi-sà «tra portrays him alongside 500 accompanying bodhisattvas, seeking guidance from the Buddha on acquiring wisdom as vast as the ocean.
The Lotus Sà «tra, specifically in its twentieth chapter, recounts BhadrapÃÂla's earlier life, where he disrespected the Buddha, resulting in his descent into Avëci hell for a thousand kalpas. After enduring this punishment and expiating his karmic offenses, he eventually encountered the Buddha again and embraced his teachings. He is also listed among the 80,000 bodhisattvas who attended the Lotus Sà «tra' assembly at Vulture Peak.
BhadrapÃÂla ultimately attained Buddhahood through meditative contemplation of water. Referencing this event, the à Âà «raá¹ gama Sà «tra mentions that his enlightenment occurred in a bathhouse. This association led to his enshrinement in the bathhouses of Chinese Chan monasteries, and in Japan, some Buddhist traditions regarded him as the patron deity of temple bathhouses. Figurines of Battabara are also kept in bathrooms in Japanese Zen monasteries.