Vairocana Buddha – the first of the five Dhyani Buddhas

This article is about Vairocana Buddha – the meaning of word Vairocana, who is Vairocana Buddha, His Iconography and His mention in the ancient literature.

Meaning of the word Vairocana

In Sanskrit, Vairocana (Vi + Rocana) signifies ‘like the Sun’ or ‘pertaining to the Sun.’ Vairocana represents luminosity or the embodiment of light—the life force that brightens the universe. In Tibetan Buddhism, the Vairocana Buddha is a resplendent emblem of enlightenment, wisdom, and universal compassion. Light and radiance intimately associate with His name and attributes. He casts life-giving rays that initiate, nurture, and maintain, akin to the Sun’s role in supporting all life on Earth.

Who is Vairocana Buddha

Vairocana Buddha embodies the Buddhist concept of emptiness and the limitless aspect of reality. He is the cosmic Buddha, with the universe as his form. As the cosmic Buddha, he encourages individuals to transcend the mundane and connect with the cosmic forces that pervade the cosmos, nurturing a harmonious existence within it.

Vairocana Buddha is the essential teacher whose absence would have meant the non-existence of Buddhism and the absence of a path to enlightenment.

Vairocana Buddha is the progenitor of the other four Buddhas: Ratnasambhava, Akshobhya, Amitabha and Amoghasiddhi, earning him the title of Adi-Buddha. He encapsulates the collective essence and virtues of these Buddhas, and thus is the Supreme or Eternal Buddha. His pure white complexion symbolizes the unity of all colors of light. Through his immaculate white form, Vairocana Buddha radiates purity.

Wisdom of Vairocana Buddha

The wisdom of Vairocana Buddha embodies the Dharmadhatu – the realm of truth where all things exist as they truly are. This knowledge is pure; hence it is the Su-Vishuddha Dharma Dhatu Jnana.

Dharma Dhatu Jnana signifies the interconnectedness of all events. Vairocana Buddha personifies this wisdom, aiding individuals in transcending their personal experiences to grasp the unifying principle that unites all life.

The wisdom of Vairocana Buddha is synonymous with the all-encompassing wisdom of the Dharmakaya. In Buddhism, the Dharmakaya represents the ultimate and the most profound reality of the universe.

Iconography of Vairocana Buddha

Mudra of Vairocana Mudra

In Vajrayana Buddhism temples, the five Buddhas are arranged in a mandala, with Vairocana at the center and the other four Dhyani Buddhas at the cardinal points. Vairocana Buddha is typically larger than the surrounding Buddhas.

His hands are in the Dharmachakra mudra, the gesture of symbolizing the turning of the wheel of teaching. In this mudra, the hands are against the chest, with the tip of thumbs and index fingers of both hands touching to form a circle. The left hand, facing inward, covers the right hand, which faces outward. The other fingers are extended.

The Dharmachakra mudra symbolizes a significant event in Shakyamuni Buddha’s life—his first teaching to his disciples at Deer Park in Sarnath upon achieving enlightenment. It represents the beginning of the spread of the profound teachings of Dharma, putting the metaphorical wheel of Dharma into motion. The Buddha’s act of turning the wheel of Dharma brought light to people’s hearts, eradicating the shadows of ignorance.

Vairocana represents the idealization of the Buddha’s central role as a teacher, without which Buddhism and the path to enlightenment would not exist.

Symbol of Vairocana Buddha

The Dharmachakra symbolizes his teachings. Its eight spokes represent the Noble Eightfold Path, which Gautama Buddha expounded in his first sermon following his enlightenment.

Color of Vairocana Buddha

Vairocana Buddha is of white color, which symbolizes pure consciousness. He presides over the element of ether and personifies the skandha of consciousness.

The Throne of Vairocana Buddha

He sits upon a lotus throne, supported by the formidable might of two lions, rulers of the animal realm, whose authoritative roars command silence from all. In a similar vein, the roar of Buddha’s teachings silences the mundane voices of daily life, rendering them insignificant. These lions represent courage, audacity, and a spirit that eagerly forges ahead.

The bija, consort, spiritual son and residence of Vairocana Buddha

His bija is the universal sound Om as he embodies the wisdom of all Buddhas. His consort is White Tara, and the spiritual son is Manjushree. He resides in Aknistha Gahanaryuha heaven which exists in the center.

Is Vairocana historical buddha like Shakyamuni Buddha?

Vairocana Buddha is not a historical figure like Shakyamuni Buddha. In the Dharamalakshanna sect of Mahayana Buddhism, he is the Svabhavika Kaya of Shakyamuni Buddha. The Svabhavika Kaya represents the original, unmanifested, and inconceivable aspect of the Buddha from which all Buddhas emerge and to which they return after achieving Nirvana.

Vairocana Buddha in Ancient literature

Mahavairocana and Vajrasekhara Sutra

The doctrine of Vairocana Buddha is largely based on the teachings of the Mahavairocana Sutra and to a lesser degree on the Vajrasekhara Sutra. The Mahavairocana Sutra dates back to the seventh century. It is the earliest comprehensive manual of Buddhist Tantra. In Mahavairocana Sutra, Vairocana Buddha is the universal Buddha from whom all other Buddhas originated. He is the source of enlightenment who help others to be free from causes and conditions.

Brahmjala Sutra

The Brahmajala Sutra, a fifth-century manuscript written in Sanskrit and later translated into Chinese by Kumarajiva, introduces Vairocana Buddha. The text mentions,

“Now, I, Vairocana Buddha, am sitting atop a lotus pedestal. On a thousand flower surrounding me are a thousand Shakyamuni Buddha. Each flower supports a hundred million worlds. In each world, a Shakyamuni Buddha appears. All are seated beneath a Bodh-tree and all simultaneously attain Buddhahood. All these innumerable Buddhas have Vairocana as their original body.”

Avatamsaka Sutra

Vairocana is also mentioned in the Avatamsaka Sutra, a voluminous text believed to be composed by multiple authors. Its initial segment was finalized in the fifth century, with additional parts potentially appended up until the eighth century.

In the Avatamsaka Sutra, also known as the Flower Garland Sutra, Vairocana is depicted as having achieved enlightenment countless years prior and dwelling in a realm purified by Him. He oversees a gathering of innumerable Bodhisattvas.

Samantabhadra Sutra

In the Samantabhadra Meditation Sutra, also known as the Sutra of Meditation on the Bodhisattva’s Universal Virtue, Vairocana is depicted as a Buddha with characteristics akin to those of Shakyamuni Buddha. He is described as roaming in a realm named Always Tranquil Light.

Vairocana Buddha in Chinese and Japanese Buddhism

He is a prominent figure in the Chinese Huayen school of Buddhism and is also central to later schools such as Japanese Kegon and Shingon Buddhism. Vairocana is particularly revered for transforming the delusion of ignorance into the wisdom of Dharma. Over time, however, the significance of Vairocana Buddha has been overshadowed In China by the widespread devotion to Amitabha Buddha.

Teachings and Philosophies of Vairocana Buddha

Vairocana Buddha encourages the cultivation of virtues such as wisdom, compassion, and mindfulness. The goal of this spiritual journey is to attain Nirvana, a state of sublime bliss and liberation from the cycle of rebirth, achieved through a series of transformative experiences.

Reciting the Vairocana mantra offers several benefits, including the purification of the mind and body from pollutants, contributing to foster inner peace and mental clarity. It aids in overcoming obstacles and challenges by converting negative energy into positive energy. Additionally, it enhances knowledge and insight, aiding individuals in seeing the reality and achieving serenity.

References

Buddhist Deities and Masters – An introduction by Chandra B Sakya

The iconography of Nepalese Buddhism by Min Bahadur Shakya

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