Mahamayuri, the Peacock Wisdom Queen

Mahamayuri, also called the Great Peacock Wisdom Queen and Buddha Mother, is known in Sanskrit as Mahāmāyūrī Vidyārājñī. Her scriptures include the *Sutra of the Great Peacock Wisdom Queen*. Her image is closely connected with the peacock, though the arrangement and objects she holds vary between traditions.

For a related ritual text, see the National Taiwan University Buddhist Digital Library.

Her appearance

The ritual text describing Mahamayuri's image and altar gives these common features:

Mount: A golden peacock with outspread wings, sometimes carrying a lotus seat on which she sits cross-legged.

Face and dress: A five-Buddha crown, celestial robes and jewellery, with a kind, composed face expressing the peace of a bodhisattva.

First right hand: An open lotus, representing kindness and purity.

Second right hand: A citron, representing the overcoming of obstacles and fulfilment.

First left hand: An auspicious fruit or bimba fruit, representing well-being and the fulfilment of wishes.

Second left hand: Three to five peacock feathers, representing the clearing of disasters, obstacles, poisons and illness.

What she represents

Turning poison into medicine: The image of a peacock eating poisonous plants and insects while its feathers grow brighter is used as a Buddhist teaching. Mahamayuri takes in the three poisons of greed, anger and ignorance, along with suffering and other poisons, and turns them into wisdom and goodness. This is the meaning of turning affliction into awakening.

The title Buddha Mother: In esoteric Buddhism, she is understood as a manifestation of Shakyamuni Buddha and of the virtues of all Buddhas, hence the title “Buddha Mother.”

Her role in practice: Devotion to Mahamayuri is associated with averting disasters, removing poisons, easing illness, long life, rain and protection from danger.

A story from the sutra

The *Mahamayuri Vidyarajni Sutra* traces this practice to a snakebite.

During the Buddha's lifetime, a monk named Svati was gathering firewood when a black snake bit his toe. The poison spread quickly and his life was in danger. Ananda asked the Buddha for help.

The Buddha taught the Great Peacock Dharani and told a story from a previous life. He had once been a peacock king in the snowy mountains, reciting this mantra morning and evening for protection. One day, distracted by play, he forgot to recite it and was caught by a hunter. In danger, he recited it sincerely; the ropes loosened and he flew away.

Following the Buddha's instructions, Ananda recited the mantra for Svati. In the account, the poison cleared and the monk recovered. The practice then spread as a way of seeking relief from poison, illness and karmic obstacles.

Her place in this temple

Traditionally, Manjushri and Samantabhadra stand on either side behind the main Buddha in the Mahavira Hall, representing wisdom and practice. Here, both are already enshrined in the Flower Adornment Three Sages Hall, so Cundi and Mahamayuri take these places.

The emphasis changes from understanding and action on the path to Buddhahood to turning poison into medicine, responding compassionately to people's needs and bringing open and esoteric teachings together.

This arrangement also expresses the deep vows of the Buddha Mother and Wisdom Queen to clear worldly and spiritual obstacles, allowing practitioners to continue towards full awakening.