The Five Dhyani Buddhas (Great Buddhas of Wisdom)
The Five Dhyani Buddhas, or Great Buddhas of Wisdom, are a central feature of Tibetan Buddhist belief and art. They are often found in Tibetan mandalas and thangkas. Each Buddha is believed to be capable of overcoming a particular evil with a particular good, and each has a complete system of iconographic symbolism.
Vairocana |
Akshobhya |
Ratnasambhava |
Amitabha |
Amogasiddha |
|
Name |
Buddha Supreme and Eternal; The Radiant One |
Immovable or Unshakable Buddha |
Source of Precious Things or Jewel-Born One |
Buddha of Infinite Light |
Almighty Conquerer or Lord of Karma |
Direction |
Center |
East |
South |
West |
North |
Color |
white |
blue |
yellow |
red |
green |
Mudra |
dharmachakra (wheel-turning) |
bhumisparsa (witness) |
varada (charity) |
dhyana |
abhaya (fearlessness) |
Vija (Syllable) |
Om |
Hum |
Trah |
Hrih |
Ah |
Symbol |
wheel |
thunderbolt |
jewel (ratna) or Three Jewels (triratna) |
lotus |
double thunderbolt |
Embodies |
sovereignty |
steadfastness |
compassion |
light |
dauntlessness |
Type of wisdom |
integration of the wisdom of all the Buddhas |
mirrorlike |
wisdom of equality |
discriminating |
all-accomplishing |
Cosmic element (skandha) |
rupa (form) |
vijnana (consciousness) |
vendana (sensation) |
sanjna (name or perception) |
samsakara (volition) |
Earthly element |
ether |
water |
earth |
fire |
air |
Antidote to |
ignorance and delusion |
anger and hatred |
desire and pride |
malignity |
envy and jealousy |
Sense |
sight |
sound |
smell |
taste |
touch |
Vehicle |
lion |
elephant |
horse |
peacock (because of eyes on its plumes) |
garuda (half-man, half-bird) |
Spiritual son |
Manjushree |
Vajrapani |
Ratnapani |
Avalokiteshvara |
Vajrapani |
Consort |
Locana |
Mamaki |
Pandara |
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Paradise |
Abhirati, the Land of Exceeding Great Delight |
Sukhavati, Western Paradise, or Pure Land |
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Other info |
Integration or origin of other Dhyani Buddhas |
