Dhyani Buddha Vairochana

In last post we have read about the five Dhyani Buddha (Click links to read). As we know Vairochana is the First Dhyani buddha among five dhyani Buddha. So here I am going to share some short description about Vairochana. Thanka paintings on this post are hand painted and very Good quality, It is Newari Style Thanka. You can Click the pictures to see details of Thanka paintings.

Vairochana means "He Who Is Like the Sun" or "the Radiating One." Vairochana regarded as origin of the five Dhyani Buddha. His wisdom is the Wisdom of the Dharmadhatu. The Dharmadhatu ( Meaning Of DHARMADHATU ) is the Realm of Truth, in which all things exist as they really are. Vairochana's wisdom is also referred to as the All-Pervading Wisdom of the Dharmakaya. The Dharmakaya is the Body of the Law, or the absolute Buddha nature.

Vairochana's transcendent wisdom reveals the realm of highest reality and overcomes the poison of ignorance, or delusion. His wisdom is considered to be the origin of all the wisdoms of the Dhyani Buddhas.

Vairochana is usually located in the center of the stupa or mandalas of the Dhyani Buddhas. Sometimes he is placed between Akshobhya and Ratna Sambhava in the stupa. He resides always in the Akanistha heaven. According to some texts, he is positioned in the east. His color is white (or blue), symbolizing a pure consciousness. He rules over the element of ether and embodies the skandha of consciousness. In some systems, he is associated with the skandha of form.

His symbol is the dharmachakra, the wheel of the Teaching, or the wheel of the Law. It denotes the teaching of the Buddha. Its eight spokes represent the Noble Eightfold Path, which Gautama revealed in his first sermon after his enlightenment. This symbol is printed around the border of the lithograph. Vairochana's lotus throne is supported by the lion, symbol of courage, boldness and an eager, advancing spirit.

Vairochana's mudra is the dharmachakra (Bodhyanga) mudra, the gesture of turning the wheel of the Teaching. His vehicle is a pair of lions symbolizing lions roar of dharmadhatujnana which terrifies
all wrong views. He can be recognized through white disc or dharmacakra which cuts all wrong views.Because he embodies the wisdom of all Buddhas, Vairocana Buddha originates from the seed syllable Om.

His mantra is "Om Vairochana Om."

In some esoteric sect of Japan he is said to be the supreme lord of secret vehicle i.e. Mahavairocana.
When Vairocana Buddha is four faced and eight-armed he is addressed as Vajradhatu Buddha. According to Vajra-dhatumandala of Nispannayogavali, Vairocana is seated in Vajraparyanka and is white in color. His four faces are of white, yellow, red, and green color. He is eight-armed with his two hands holding a vajra and displaying dharmacakra mudra; the second pair shows dhyana mudra, third pair holds a rosary and an arrow and the last pair holds a discus and a bow.