The five Dhyani Buddhas are mentioned in most of the tantric systems and represent various physical and mental aspects. Here are given only some of the most common explanations and representations of these so-called 'Heads of the five Buddha-families'.
It should be noted though that many different forms of each deity exist, and different Tantras can have slightly different explanations (for example, in the Kalachakra Tantra, five Dhyani Buddhas are mentioned, and most have different colors and shapes).
The five Dhyani Buddhas are also often found on the crown on the head of tantric Buddhas, like this:
| Mental symbolism of the five Dhyani Buddhas |
Deity |
Delusion |
Enlightened Mind |
| Vairochana Buddha |
Ignorance, Delusion |
All encompassing Dharmadhatu Wisdom |
| Akshobhya Buddha |
Anger, Hatred |
Mirror like Wisdom |
| Ratnasambhava Buddha |
Pride, Miserliness |
Wisdom of Equality |
| Amitabha Buddha |
Desire, Lust |
Discriminating Wisdom |
| Amoghasiddhi Buddha |
Jealousy, Fear |
All Accomplishing Wisdom |
|
Physical symbolism of the five Dhyani Buddhas |
Deity |
Element |
Sense |
Medical/Physical |
Organ |
| Vairochana Buddha |
Space |
Sight |
Energy Channels |
Heart |
| Akshobhya Buddha |
Water |
Sound |
Blood Flow |
Kidney |
| Ratnasambhava Buddha |
Earth |
Smell |
Flesh |
Splen |
| Amitabha Buddha |
Fire |
Taste |
Body Heat |
Liver |
| Amoghasiddhi Buddha |
Air |
Touch |
Inner Winds |
Lungs |
|
Names and relation to other Buddhas & Bodhisattvas |
Deity(Sanskrit) |
English Name |
Consort |
Bodhisattva |
Wheel Turning Buddhas |
| Vairochana Buddha |
Illuminating |
White Tara
(Vajradhatvisvari) |
Samantabhadra |
Krakucchanda |
| Akshobhya Buddha |
Unshakable |
Lochana |
Vajrapani |
Kanakamuni |
| Ratnasambhava Buddha |
Jewel Born |
Mamaki |
Ratnapani |
Kashyapa |
| Amitabha Buddha |
Infinite Light |
Pandara |
Avalokiteshvara |
Shakyamuni |
| Amoghasiddhi Buddha |
Conqueror |
Green Tara |
Vishvapani |
Maitreya |
|
Imagery symbolism of the five Dhyani Buddhas |
Deity |
Color |
Direction |
Gestures (Mudra) |
| Vairochana Buddha |
White |
Center |
Dharmachakra
Turning the
Dharma-wheel
(teaching) |
| Akshobhya Buddha |
Blue |
East |
Bhumisparsa
Earth-touching |
| Ratnasambhava Buddha |
Yellow |
South |
Varada
Bestowing, giving |
| Amitabha Buddha |
Red |
West |
Dhyana
Meditation |
| Amoghasiddhi Buddha |
Green |
North |
Abhaya
Fearlessness |
View Our Five Wisdom Buddhas Statues Catalogue
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