samaya [三昧耶形・三摩耶形] (; sammaya-gyō or samaya-gyō): Objects and mudras (hand gestures) displayed by Buddhas and bodhisattvas that represent their vows to lead all people to enlightenment. Buddhas and bodhisattvas are sometimes depicted as holding various objects such as a bow, an arrow, a pagoda, a jewel, or a sword. Particularly well known are the sword of Bodhisattva Manjushrī and the lotus of Bodhisattva Perceiver of the World’s Sounds. The Sanskrit samaya means time, assembly, doctrine, agreement, rule, covenant, etc. Esoteric Buddhism interprets samaya as the vows made by Buddhas and bodhisattvas and as symbols of their vows. The esoteric True Word ( Shingon) school goes further to interpret samaya as indicating four things—equality between a Buddha and the people, a Buddha’s vow to lead all people to supreme enlightenment, his ridding the people of earthly desires and hindrances, and his awakening them from delusion.