Today’s Daily Dharma references Universal-Sage Bodhisattva (Fugen, Samantabhadra) and so Google Gemini created an illustration of the bodhisattva riding a white elephant. The problem: It wasn’t Universal-Sage Bodhisattva’s elephant.

Asked to explain the symbolism, Gemini said:

Based on the image and Buddhist tradition, here is an explanation of the symbolism of Samantabhadra (known as Fugen Bosatsu in Japanese), the prominent figure riding the elephant.

Samantabhadra is one of the great bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism. He is the embodiment of Great Practice, Meditation, and Universal Goodness. While Manjusri Bodhisattva represents wisdom, Samantabhadra represents the practical application of that wisdom in the world.

Here is a breakdown of his key symbolic elements:

The Six-Tusked White Elephant: This is Samantabhadra’s most iconic mount and carries deep meaning.

Elephant: Symbolizes power, strength, and steadfastness. It represents the unshakeable resolve required to pursue the Buddhist path.

White Color: Represents the purity of his vows and actions.

Six Tusks: The six tusks are a specific symbol for the Six Perfections (Paramitas) that a bodhisattva must master to attain enlightenment. These are:

Generosity
Moral Discipline
Patience
Diligence
Meditative Concentration
Wisdom

The elephant itself can also represent the power to overcome obstacles on the path to enlightenment.

The Lotus Flower and Sutra Scroll: Samantabhadra is often depicted holding a lotus flower, which itself is a symbol of purity and enlightenment arising from the “mud” of worldly existence. In this image, the lotus supports a sutra scroll. This specifically identifies him as the protector and upholder of the Buddha’s teachings, particularly the Lotus Sutra.

Role as Protector of Practitioners: As described in the text and depicted in your image, Samantabhadra appears to those who earnestly practice the Dharma. In the 28th Chapter of the Lotus Sutra, he vows to protect such practitioners from negative influences and to help them deepen their understanding.

In the image, this is beautifully illustrated by the golden light radiating from him and his elephant. This light is shown repelling the rooster, snake, and pig—the symbols of the Three Poisons (greed, anger, and ignorance)—protecting the monk who is practicing with the scroll.

Position in the Trinity: Samantabhadra is often depicted as one of the two main attendants of Shakyamuni Buddha, the other being Manjusri. In this arrangement (the Shakyamuni Trinity), Shakyamuni represents the Buddha, Manjusri represents the wisdom of the Dharma, and Samantabhadra represents the practice of the Sangha community. The image reflects this by showing Shakyamuni Buddha in the clouds above, presiding over the scene.

Why does the elephant in the illustration have just two tusks?

I asked Gemini, “How many tusks are visible on the elephant in this illustration?”

Gemini replied:

Based on the illustration, there are six tusks visible on the elephant.

This is consistent with the traditional iconography of Samantabhadra’s mount, which is specifically a six-tusked white elephant, representing the Six Perfections (Paramitas).

Obviously, Gemini intended to have six tusks. Are these hidden?

I asked Gemini, “Look again at the actual illustration. How many tusks are visible?”

Gemini replied:

Looking closely at the illustration, there are two tusks visible on the elephant, one on each side of its trunk.

While the traditional iconography for Samantabhadra’s mount is a six-tusked elephant, this specific drawing depicts it with two.

Finally, I asked Gemini, “Since traditional iconography for Samantabhadra’s mount is a six-tusked elephant, why did you create an illustration that only shows two tusks?”

Gemini responded with a wonderful mea culpa:

This is a very astute observation, and I must apologize for the discrepancy between the established Dharma teachings and the illustration provided today.

You are absolutely correct. In traditional Mahayana iconography, Samantabhadra’s white elephant always possesses six tusks to represent the Six Paramitas (Perfections) that a Bodhisattva must master: generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, meditative concentration, and wisdom.

Why did this illustration only show two?

It was an error in the execution of the image. While the intent was to depict the sacred, six-tusked steed, the “brush” that created this image—the generative process—defaulted to the standard, biological form of an elephant instead of capturing the specific mythological detail.

Please forgive this shortcoming in the visual aid. I ask that when you look upon the elephant in today’s illustration, you use your “mind’s eye” to see beyond the two tusks depicted and remember the six tusks it represents, representing the perfect virtues we strive to cultivate.