Five Dhyani Buddhas: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Five Dhyani Buddhas means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
: WikiPedia: Tibetan BuddhismIn Vajrayana Buddhism, the Five Dhyani Buddhas (Vairocana, Aksobhya, Amitabha, Ratnasambhava, Amoghasiddhi) are representations of the five qualities of the Buddha. These five Buddhas are a common subject of Vajrayana mandalas.
- Vairocana (principal deity/ meditator).
- Amoghasiddhi (north).
- Aksobhya (east).
- Ratnasambhava (south).
- Amitabha (west).
The Wisdom Buddhas are all aspects of the dharmakaya or "reality body", which embodies the principle of enlightenment. Initially two Buddhas appeared which represented wisdom and compassion - they were, respectively, Aksobhya and Amitabha. A further distinction embodied the aspects of power, or activity, and the aspect of beauty, or spiritual riches. In the Sutra of Golden Light (an early Mahayana Sutra) the figures are named Dundubishvara, and Ratnaketu, but over time their names changed to become Amoghasiddhi, and Ratnasambhava. The central figure came to be called Vairocana.
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha鈥檚 words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (惫补箩谤补测腻苍补) are collected indepently.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgrahaFive Dhyani Buddhas:鈥擜 technical term in Buddhism corresponding to the Sanskrit 辫补帽肠补产耻诲诲丑补 defined in the Dharma-sa峁僩raha (section 3):
- Shining Buddha (Vairocana),
- Immovable Buddha (Ak峁bhya),
- Jewel-Born Buddha (Ratnasambhava),
- Endless-Light Buddha (Amit膩bha),
- Unfailing Buddha (Amoghasiddhi),
The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., 辫补帽肠补产耻诲诲丑补, 鈥榝ive dhyani Buddhas鈥�). The work is attributed to Nagarguna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Dhyanin, Buddha.
Full-text: Dharmachakra Mudra.
Relevant text
Search found 18 books and stories containing Five Dhyani Buddhas; (plurals include: Five Dhyani Buddhases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts (by Rajendralala Mitra)
Page 373 < [Volume 12 (1898)]
The gods of northern Buddhism (by Alice Getty)
Prajnaparamita in Buddhist < [November-December 1931]
Vaishnava Myths in the Puranas (by Kum. Geeta P. Kurandwad)
The Myth of Bodhisatvas from Jataka Tales < [Chapter 2 - Varieties of Myths]
Stupas in Orissa (Study) (by Meenakshi Chauley)
Vajrayana form of Buddhism < [Chapter 2]
Emanations of Aksobhya < [Chapter 5]
Iconography of Buddhist and Brahmanical Sculptures (by Nalini Kanta Bhattasali)
Iconography of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara < [Part 1 - Buddhist Sculptures]
Introduction to Buddhist Iconography < [Part 1 - Buddhist Sculptures]
Iconography of Ugra-Tara < [Part 2 - Brahmanical Sculptures]