Buddha Image for 7 days

We have read many posts about Buddhist meaning in Nepal and Tibet. I always wonder to know the meaning about Buddha images for each day. If you visit in Thai temple you may notice the 8 Buddha statues with different gesture, they are the Buddha images for the Seven Days of the Week (wednesday have two Buddha image). You may want to know the meaning of 7 days Buddha. Buddha gestures represent certain events in the Buddha’s life. These events are thought to have occurred on certain days. The Buddha Image gestures representing these events also associated with the days on which they occurred. People, who born on a certain day of the week, may be most interested in a Buddha Image related to that day, like when commissioning a Buddha image. If you want to know which day you are born, simply click here Calendar Conversion.
Buddha Image for Sunday:
In Pensive thought, the enlightened Buddha stands with hands crossed over his abdomen (right hand over the left). The Buddha contemplates his achievement of complete knowledge under the Bodhi tree.
After enlightenment, the Buddha stood still for seven days under the Bodhi Tree to contemplate the suffering of all living things. He was tempted to enter Nirvana at once (By Mara), but he wants others to know the true doctrine, and resolves to communicate his doctrine to others.
Red is color for Sunday. People who born Sunday’s character: respectable, carefree, wise, and beloved by both friends and relatives

Buddha Image for Monday:
Preventing Calamities (This gesture is Similar as the Image for 'Stopping the relatives from fighting').
The city of Vesali was under attack by three evils: poverty, cholera and devils. Devils were roaming the city feasting on dead bodies and even people. The King of Vesali was advised to ask for the help of the Buddha.
Accepting the invitation, the Buddha with company, arrived at Vesali. With his transcendental powers, he caused heavy rain to pour down, so heavy that it cleaned the city of all dead bodies and pollution.
Later on, Ananda, his disciple went around the city, reciting portions of the Tripitika, and sprinkling holy water around the city. Suffering humans were healed, while all devils were frightened and ran away from the city.
Yellow is color for Monday. People who born Monday’s character: Good memory, serious, love to travel

(The Buddha stops the relatives from fighting or pacifying his relatives. When the Buddha came back from Heaven, he found that his relatives were quarreling about the right to use water from a river for their rice fields. The Buddha encouraged them to compromise and said that human life is much more valuable than water and it was not worth killing men for water. Then, his relatives stopped fighting.)

Buddha Image for Tuesday :
Reclining Buddha
Left arm along the body, right arm serves as a pillow with the hand supporting the head.
The reclining Buddha represents the passage to Nirvana or a resting Buddha. The gesture represents complete peace and detachment from the world. It was believed that the Buddha entered Nirvana on this day of the week.
Pink is color for Tuesday. People who born Tuesday’s character: brave, active, broad and serious mind
Buddha Image for Wednesday Morning :
Holding an alms bowl
The Buddha is standing with both hands around an alms bowl.
This symbolizes Buddha visited his family after four years in the monastery. In the morning the Buddha went out to receive alms in the city. His father was not content when he saw the Buddha “begged” for food holding an alms bowl. Buddha explained to his father that performing pindabat, or holding an alms bowl are the lineage of Buddha. Thus, the disciples can offer their food. The virtue of giving among Buddhists is strong until today.
Green is color for Wednesday morning. People who born Wednesday’s Character: ambitious, gregarious, fun loving
Buddha Image for Wednesday Evening:
Retreat in the Forest
Buddha spent the rain retreat on his own in the Palilayaka forest because he was tired of the monks of Kosambi who had split into two groups and were not in harmony. While in the forest, the elephant Palilayaka attended to him and monkey offered him a bee hive.
Light Green is color for Wednesday evening. People who born Wednesday evening’s Character: diligent, honest, hardworking

Buddha Image for Thursday:
The Buddha is sitting in the meditation gesture. This is the perfect mental discipline. The gesture is the ultimate balance of tranquility and thoughts. It is believed that the body in the position is receptive to power or energy to enter the body from the top of the head and the opening palms.
Orange is color for Thursday. People who born Thursday’s character: honest, good heart, graceful, tranquil

Buddha Image for Friday:
In contemplation (Deeply Thinking)
Hands are crossed across the chest, right hand in front of the left.
The Buddha wonders how he can explain the cause of all suffering to others. The gesture represents a complete spiritual transformation.
Blue is color for Friday. People who born on Friday’s Character: ambitious, gregarious, fun loving

Buddha Image for Saturday:
Sitting in meditation, protected by Mucalinda's cobra hood. (Mucalinda is King of the Naga)
The Buddha is in meditation and protected from a storm by Maculinda (The King of the Naga). The image is related to the moment when a naga spreaded its hood to protect the Buddha from a rainstorm while he was in profound meditation.
Purple is color for Saturday. People who born Saturday’s Character: logical, tranquil, reclusive

Finally, there is an image often which is not specific to any day of the week, "Victory over Mara". The Buddha image is seated in meditation with the fingers of the right hand touching the earth. Buddha is confirming to all creation his imperturbability when besieged by temptation, fear, delusion and desire.
Source: Thai Buddha Image
5 Meditaion Buddha Hand Gestures(mudra) Meanings

Dhyani Buddha Amoghasiddhi

Amoghasiddhi is the 5th dhyani Buddha in order (Read The Five Dhyani Buddha). The name Amoghasiddhi means "Almighty Conqueror" or "He Who Unerringly Achieves His Goal." Amoghasiddhi's All-Accomplishing Wisdom, or Wisdom of Perfected Action, anti dotes the poison of envy and jealousy. This wisdom confers perseverance, infallible judgment and unerring action.

Amoghasiddhi represents cosmic element of samskar ( Conformation) or the practical realization of the wisdoms of the other Dhyani Buddhas. He is described as the Dhyani Buddha of the realization of the Bodhisattva Path. A Bodhisattva is one who has forgone the bliss of nirvana with a vow to first liberate all beings.

Amoghasiddhi is the Dhyani Buddha of the north. His color is green, signifying the sun at midnight. He rules over the element of air and embodies the skandha of volition, also called the skandha of mental phenomena or tendencies of mind. His symbol is the vishwavajra, or double dorje or thunderbolt (See pictire in right) . It is made of two crossed vajras and symbolizes the highest comprehension of truth and the spiritual power of a Buddha.

Amoghasiddhi's vehicle is Garudas, or throne is supported by garudas. A garuda is a mythical figure, halfman and halfbird. In relation to Amoghasiddhi, Lama Govinda says the garuda symbolizes "man in transition towards a new dimension of consciousness,...the transition from the human to the superhuman state, which takes place in the mysterious darkness of the night, invisible to the eye. Amoghasiddhi also embodiment of rainy season. Sometimes a serpent with 7 heads forms the background as an umbrella. Infront of his Shrines, therefore, is a small squre pit or hole, which is meant for the snake.

Amoghasiddhi's mudra, formed by left hand lies open on the lap and his right hand exhibits the abhaya mudra. It is the gesture of fearlessness and protection.
Amoghasiddhi's bija is Ah and his mantra is "Om Amoghasiddhi Ah".

Visit Post About :
The Five Dhyani Buddha ,
Dhyani Buddha Vairochana ,
Dhyani Buddha Akshobhya ,
Ratnasambhava and
Dhyani Buddha Amitabha

Dhyani Buddha Amitabha

Amitabha is the most ancient Buddha among the five Dhyani buddha. He said to reside in the shukhavati heaven in peaceful meditation.
The name Amitabha means "Infinite Light." Amitabha's Discriminating Wisdom conquers the poison of the passions--all cravings, covetousness, greed and lust. With this wisdom, the disciple discerns all beings separately yet knows every being as an individual expression of the One.

In the mandala of the Dhyani Buddhas or in Stupa, Amitabha is positioned to the west. His color is rose (red), the color of the setting sun. He rules over the element of fire and personifies the skandha of perception. Thus, the eye and the faculty of seeing are associated with Amitabha. The peacock, with "eyes" on its plumes, is his throne-bearer or vehicle. The peacock symbolizes grace.

Amitabha's symbol is the padma, or lotus, placed between him and Vairochana in mandala. In Buddhism, the lotus can symbolize many things, including spiritual unfoldment, purity, the true nature of beings realized through enlightenment, and compassion, the purified form of passion. Amitabha's female consort is Pandara.

Once Avalokiteshvara fainted, Buddha Amitabha said to him, "My son where has your courage, your mental strength gone?" Amitabha picked up all the pieces of Avlokiteshwor's body and the head. At the same time he said, "this happened because of your prayer. You deserve the praise of all Buddhas since your prayer was efficacious. However, noble son! Don’t worry." Read full STORY OF 1,000 ARMS AVLOKITESHWOR

Devotees aspire to be reborn in Amitabha's Western Paradise, known as Sukhavati, where conditions are ideal for attaining enlightenment.
His mudra is the dhyana (meditation) mudra. His bija is Hrih and his mantra is Om Amitabha Hrih.
Some consider Amitabha to be synonymous with Amitayus, the Buddha of Infinite Life. Others honor Amitayus as a form of Amitabha or as a separate Buddha. Amitayus is usually depicted holding a vessel of the elixir of immortal life. As shown in this statue, a tiny ashoka-tree often sprouts from the cover of his vessel, representing the union of the spiritual and the material.
Also Visit : The Five Dhyani Buddha ,
Dhyani Buddha Vairochana ,
Dhyani Buddha Akshobhya ,
Ratnasambhava

Dhyani Buddha Ratnasambhava

Ratnasambhava is regarded third dhyani Buddha in order after Vairochana and Akshobhya . His recongition symbol is the jewel.The name Ratnasambhava means "the Jewel-born One" or "Origin of Jewels." The Three Jewels are the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
The Buddha is the Enlightened One, the Guru, the hub of the wheel of the Law. The Dharma is the Teaching, or the Law. The Sangha is the Community.
Ratnasambhava transmutes the poison of pride (spiritual, intellectual and human pride) into the Wisdom of Equality. Tibetan Buddhists teach that with the Wisdom of Equality one sees all things with divine impartiality and recognizes the divine equality of all beings. One sees all beings and the Buddha as having the same nature--a condition we need, says Tucci, "to spur our spiritual ascension and to acquire the trust to realize in ourselves the status of a Buddha."
Ratnasambhava is the Dhyani Buddha of the south. His color is yellow, the color of the sun in its zenith. Ratnasambhava rules over the element of earth and embodies the skandha of feeling or sensation.

He is sometimes shown holding his symbol, the ratna (jewel) or chintamani (wish-fulfilling jewel that grants all desires). The chintamani is a symbol of the liberated mind. The ratna is often depicted in a threefold form as the triratna signifying the union of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. In the mandala the triratna is positioned between Ratnasambhava and Vairochana.

The animal that upholds Ratnasambhava's throne is the horse, denoting impetus and liberation. Ratnasambhava's mudra, formed here by his right hand, is the gesture of giving (varada mudra), signifying his gift of the Buddhist teachings. The gesture of giving, or charity, which portrays him offering compassion and protection to his disciples. He resides in the pure abode of Ratnavati
heaven (buddha field). His bija is Tram and his mantra is Om Ratnasambhava Tram.
Thanka in this post is a very good replica Thanka of 12 century Newari Thanka. Thanka paintings below left is The original and right thanka is available in our Store. Click Picture to see detail.
This painting is one of three existing works from a well-known set of Jina Buddhas, created by Newar artists for their Tibetan patrons.
Ratnasambhava
Newar artist in Central Tibet
Ca. first quarter of 12th century
Opaque stone color with gold on cotton canvas
H: 16 1/8 in. (41 cm) W: 13 in. (33 cm)
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, from the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, purchased with funds provided by the Jane and Justin Dart Foundation (M.81.90.5) Original Thanka Picture Source.
Also Visit The Five Dhyani Buddha , 1st Dhyani Buddha Vairochana , 2nd Dhyani Buddha Akshobhya

Dhyani Buddha Akshobhya

Akshobhya is also one of the five Tathagatas or Dhyani Buddha, symbolizing Mirror like Wisdom (skt.adarsa jnana) which means the wisdom like space, all pervasive, without periphery and without character-istics. The name Akshobhya means "Immovable" or "Unshakable." Akshobhya's Mirrorlike Wisdom reflects all things calmly and uncritically and--reveals their true nature. He is the essence of purified form of Hatred. As in a mirror every visible object reflects so the knowledge of dharma-kaya reflects in our mind. Mirror like Wisdom antidotes the poison of hatred and anger.

In the Stupa or Mandala of the Five Dhyani Buddhas, Akshobhya is usually positioned in the east (which is at the bottom) but he is sometimes placed in the center. His color is blue. He rules over the element of water and personifies the skandha of form. In some system, he is associated with the skandha of consciousness. Akshobhya's lotus throne is supported by the elephant, symbol of steadfastness and strength.

His symbol is the vajra, also called the thunderbolt or diamond scepter. It is depicted in this mandala above his head, directly below Vairochana. The vajra denotes enlightenment, the indestructible, adamantine nature of pure consciousness, or the essence of Reality. In some traditions the vajra signifies the union of male principle and the Buddha; one end of the vajra symbolizes the macrocosmic realm of the Buddha and the other end the microcosmic realm of male principle.

Akshobhya exhibits bhumisparsha mudra, the earth-touching gesture. Shown here formed by his right hand rest on the right knee with the tip of the middle fingers touching the ground with palm drawn inwardly. It denotes unshakability. This is also the gesture of Gautam Buddha used to calling the earth for the witness to his right to attain enlightenment when he was challenged by the Evil One, Mara.

Akshobhya's paradise is Abhirati, the Land of Exceeding Great Delight. Buddhists believe that whoever is reborn there cannot fall back to a lower level of consciousness. Akshobhya's bija is Hum and his mantra is Om Akshobhya hum.
Look at this two beautiful Statues of Akshobhya. masterpeace.

Also Visit
The Five Dhyani Buddha ,
Dhyani Buddha Vairochana

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.