Vairocana

According to the Three-Bodies teaching, every Buddha has three types of bodies, which are: • Dharma Body - the true nature of all phenomena, the Ultimate Reality, visible only to those with the highest Awakenment, namely the Buddhas. • Enjoyment Body - often of super-cosmic size and with supreme beauty, visible only to those whose Awakenment level is not lower than the first Bodhisattva stage. • Emanation Body - physical forms projected into mundane worlds, visible to all common living beings. In Mahayana Sutras, the name Vairocana can refer to both the Dharma-Body and Enjoyment-Body of Vairocana, while in Vajrayana, Vairocana represents the Dharma-Body which is identical to Dharma Realm, and sometimes the Dharma-Body and Enjoyment-Body of Vairocana are undifferentiated, Mahāvairocana is considered to be a Cosmic Buddha whose body is the entire universe. == Five Buddhas ==

Among the Five Buddhas of the Five Directions, Vairocana is the central figure, symbolizing both the source and destination of all the other four. Vairocana is not to be confused with Vairocana Mahabali, son of the asura Virochana, a character in the Yoga Vasistha. Vairocana Buddha is also not to be confused with another Buddha that appears in some Mahayana sources called "Rocana". == Manifestations ==

statue of Vairocana Buddha in Dragon Gate Caves, China. The statue was completed in the year 676 and is 17.14 m high and has 2 m long ears. , Japan . == Overview ==

In Mahayana sutras that demonstrates the cosmic form of Vairocana Buddha.The bronze has three layers, each with four large Vairocana Buddhas facing the four directions and sitting on countless emanation Buddhas (nirmanakayas). Such a layer repeats three times to display a fractal-like structure, demonstrating the three types of bodies (trikaya) of Vairocana and the cosmology of wholeness taught by Avatamsaka Sutra. Vairocana ("Radiance" or "The Illuminator") is introduced in the Brahmajāla Sūtra (traditional Chinese: 梵網經; pinyin: Fànwǎng jīng), which states: In the Buddhāvataṃsaka Sūtra, Vairocana is described as having attained enlightenment immeasurable eons ago and residing in a world purified by him while he was a bodhisattva. He also presides over an assembly of countless other bodhisattvas. The Buddhāvataṃsaka also sees Vairocana as a supreme cosmic Buddha who contains all world systems within his all-encompassing cosmic body. The Avatamsaka sutra also states that the wisdom of the Buddha (the Tathagata) is present everywhere in the universe; indeed, it is present within every living being. Thus, the sutra states (in chapter 32, Manifestation of the Tathagata):Son of Buddha, the wisdom of Tathagata is present everywhere. Why? Son of Buddha, in the class of living beings there is no place where the wisdom of Tathagata is not present. Why is it that? The wisdom of Tathagata is not established due to grasping the discrimination/consciousness, because the omniscient wisdom, the self-existent wisdom and the non-obstructed wisdom perfectly appear in total disconnection with discrimination.According to Paul Williams, the Buddha "is said or implied at various places in this vast and heterogeneous sutra to be the universe itself, to be the same as 'absence of intrinsic existence' or emptiness, and to be the Buddha's all-pervading omniscient awareness." The very body of Vairocana is also seen as a reflection of the whole universe:The body of [Vairocana] Buddha is inconceivable. In his body are all sorts of lands of sentient beings. Even in a single pore are countless, immeasurable vast oceans.According to the Buddhāvataṃsaka Sūtra, the whole universe is a vast pure buddha-field which has been purified by Vairocana. This is the view of the Pure Land found in the Chinese Huayan tradition. According to this view, our world is just one small part of this universal Pure Land, which is named: "Ocean of worlds, whose surface and inside are decorated with an arrangement of flowers" (Sanskrit: ). It is also called the "Lotus Treasury World" (Chinese: , Skt. ), since it is an array of billions of buddha-lands (Skt. buddhakṣetra) located in a massive lotus flower shape. In the cosmology of the Avatamsaka sutra, our Universe is just one of the immeasurable number of universes in a Multiverse called "Ocean of worlds, whose surface and inside are decorated with an arrangement of flowers" (Kusumatalagarbha-vyuhalamkara-lokadhatu-samudra). The Avatamsaka states that this entire cosmos has been purified by the Buddha Vairocana through his bodhisattva practices for countless aeons, after having met countless Buddhas. The sutra also states that our world is in Vairocana's buddhafield. Vairocana is closely associated with Shakyamuni Buddha; in some cases, he is even identified with him in the Avatamsaka Sutra. Huayan generally sees Shakyamuni as an emanation body (nirmanakaya) from the ultimate Buddha Vairocana ("The Illuminator"). (1368-1644) statue of Vairocana in Huayan Temple in Shanxi, China, one out of a set depicting the Five Tathāgatas. In the Śūraṅgama mantra () taught in the Śūraṅgama sutra (), an especially influential dharani in the Chinese Chan tradition, Vairocana is mentioned to be the host of the Buddha Division in the centre, one of the five major divisions which dispels the vast demon armies of the five directions. Vairocana is the central Buddha of numerous esoteric sutras (sometimes also called tantras), and he appears in sutras like the Vairocanābhisaṃbodhi Sūtra (Vairocana’s Awakening), the Vajrasekhara Sutra (Vajra Peak) and the Tattvasaṃgraha Tantra (Summation of Essential Principles). Helen Hardacre, writing on the Mahavairocana Tantra, comments that Mahavairocana's virtues are deemed to be immanently universal within all beings: "The principle doctrine of the Dainichikyo is that all the virtues of Dainichi (Mahāvairocana) are inherent in us and in all sentient beings." Relationship with Śākyamuni , Korea. In the Buddhāvataṃsakasūtra, Śākyamuni Buddha is a magical emanation (nirmāṇakāya) of the cosmic Buddha Vairocana. Thus, in Tiantai and Tendai, Vairocana is seen as synonymous with the Original Buddha of the Lotus Sutra's 16th chapter. The Samantabhadra Meditation Sutra states:Śākyamuni is called Vairocana, who pervades all places. This Buddha’s abode is called Eternally Quiescent Light: a place which is the Pāramitā of Permanence (nitya-pāramitā); a place which is established on the Pāramitā of Self (ātma-pāramitā); a place [where] the Pāramitā of Purity (śuddha-pāramitā) extinguishes the characteristics of existence; a place [where] the Pāramitā of Bliss (sukha-pāramitā)[leads to] the non-abiding of the characteristics of body and mind. It is a place [wherein] the existence or non-existence of the characteristics of all dharmas is not perceived. It is like the quiescence of liberation (i.e., nirvāṇa) and the culmination of the Prajñā Pāramitā because the phenomena (rūpa) there are permanently abiding dharmas; in like manner, you should contemplate the Buddhas of the ten directions. In East Asian Buddhism representation of the Dharmakaya "Sarvavid Vairocana" as a moon disc atop an enthroned blue lotus, Qing Dynasty (18th century). Vairocana is the Original Buddha (本佛 běnfó, Jp. honbutsu) in the Chinese Buddhist schools of Tiantai, Huayan and Chinese Esoteric Buddhism, as well as in the Japanese traditions of Kegon, Shingon and Tendai. In Huayan Buddhism, the entire universe is understood as the very body of Vairocana, a supreme cosmic reality. Vairocana is infinite; his influence and light are limitless, pervading the entire universe. Furthermore, Vairocana is really the ultimate principle (li), the Dharmakaya, Suchness and "the substance underlying phenomenal reality". However, while Vairocana, as the ultimate principle, is eternal, it also transforms and changes according to the needs and conditions of sentient beings. Furthermore, Vairocana is empty, interdependent, and interfused with all phenomena in the universe. According to Fazang, while the nirmanakaya Shakyamuni taught the other Mahayana sutras, Vairocana teaches the Avatamsaka Sutra through his ten bodies which are: the All-Beings Body, the Lands Body, the Karma Body, the Śrāvakas Body, the Pratyekabuddha Body, the Bodhisattvas Body, the Tathāgatas Body, the Wisdom Body, the Dharma Body, and the Space Body. Fazang sees these ten bodies as encompassing all phenomena (animate and inanimate) in the "three realms," i.e., the entire universe. In Chinese and Japanese Buddhism, Vairocana was gradually superseded as an object of reverence by the popularity of Amitābha, due in large part to the increasing popularity of Pure Land Buddhism, but veneration of Vairocana still remains popular among adherents and remains a central object of devotion in Tendai, Shingon, and the Huayan schools. During the initial stages of his mission in Japan, the Catholic missionary Francis Xavier was welcomed by the Shingon monks since he used Dainichi, the Japanese name for Vairocana, to designate the Christian God. As Xavier learned more about the religious nuances of the word, he substituted the term Deusu, which he derived from the Latin and Portuguese Deus. Relationship with Amitabha .The Shingon monk Dōhan regarded the two great Buddhas, Amitābha and Vairocana, as one and the same Dharmakāya Buddha and as the true nature at the core of all beings and phenomena. There are several realizations that can accrue to the Shingon practitioner of which Dōhan speaks in this connection, as James Sanford points out: The identification of Vairocana with Amitābha can also be seen in the Huayan school. During the Qing dynasty, Huayan figures like Peng Shaosheng (1740–1796) also equated Amitābha Buddha with Vairocana. According to Peng, Vairocana and Amitabha are actually the same Buddha, Amitabha's pure land of Sukhavati is the same as Vairocana Buddha's Lotus Treasury World. Peng saw the Huayan principle of the interpenetration of principle and phenomena as indicating that these Buddhas and their pure lands were mutually interfused and non-dual with all worlds in the universe. == Mantras and dharanis ==

Numerous mantras, seed syllables and dhāraṇī are associated with Vairocana Buddha. A common basic mantra is the following:Oṃ Vairocana Vaṃ Mantra of Light A popular mantra associated with Vairocana in both the Chinese Buddhist and Japanese Buddhist traditions is the Mantra of Light (光明真言, pinyin: guāngmíng zhēnyán, rōmaji: kōmyō shingon; Sanskrit: prabhāsa-mantra), alternatively (毗盧遮那如來所說不空大灌頂光真言, pinyin: pílúzhēnà rúlái ruǒshuō bukōng dà guàndǐng guāng zhēnyán). Chinese Buddhism (1368-1644) bronze statue of Vairocana at Fayuan Temple in Beijing, China. Similar to the example from Longxing Temple, this statue symbolizes the all-pervasive nature of Vairocana Buddha along with his numerous manifestation Buddhas (nirmanakayas). In Chinese Buddhism, one primary usage of the mantra since the Song dynasty has been in regular ritual services carried out by monastics. For instance, an early reference to the mantra is found in the Lebang wenlei (樂邦文類) by Zongxiao 's (1151–1214), which discusses how the Tiantai monk Zhiyuan 智圓 (976–1022) in the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279) used the mantra on sand to attempt to save his deceased mother. Another key example of the mantra's employment in Chinese Buddhism is found in the manual Baizhang qinggui zhengyi ji (百丈清規證義記; lit: "Baizhang’s Pure Rules for Large Chan Monasteries with Orthodox Commentary"), which is a summary of general mainstream monastic vinaya rules in Chinese Buddhist temples within China compiled during the late Qing dynasty (1644 - 1912). In the subsection detailing the ritual for celebrating Śākyamuni Buddha's Birthday (釋迦佛誕; Shìjiā Fó dàn), the manual states that the ritual's participants should chant the Mantra of Light seven times in front of a statue of the infant Buddha before bathing the statue of the Buddha with water (浴佛 Yùfó). an elaborate, multi-day ritual that was first compiled during the Northern and Southern dynasties period and subsequently further extended during the Song, Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, the mantra and the liturgy remains in use during Shuilu Fahui ceremonies, which continues to be one of the most popular Chinese Buddhist rituals in contemporary times. In addition, the mantra is also traditionally grouped as one of the "Four Great Blessings" (四大祝延) or "Praises of Blessings" (祝延讚), which is a quartet of mantras and prayers consisting of the Mantra of Light, the "Oṃ maṇi padme hūm̐" mantra, the Dhāraṇī of the Holy Tathāgata of Immeasurable Lifespan, King of Determined Radiance as well as a prayer for the health and longevity of the emperor (which has been updated in modern times to pray for the people instead). When considered within this grouping, the Mantra of Light is usually referred to by its first few syllables "Ong Amujia" (唵 阿穆伽), and its transliteration in most common Chinese liturgical texts such as the Chanmen Risong (禪門日誦; lit: "Daily Recitations of the Chan Gate") and the Fomen Bibei (佛門必備, lit: "Essentials of the Buddhist Gate") is transliteration version 3 in the Mantra section above, with only minor differences between texts. In modern times, the "Four Great Blessings", inclusive of the Mantra of Light, continue to be recited by monastics during events such as the Buddha's birthday and during retreats. Japanese Buddhism In Japan, the mantra was introduced by Kukai, who brought over a copy of Amoghavajra's sutra from China in the 9th century, although there are no records that he ever utilized it in tantric practices. Myōe famously taught the Mantra of Light as a way to purify bad karma and to achieve birth in Sukhavati (or other pure lands if one wished), seeing it as an alternative to the nembutsu. He even wrote a work on it, Recommending Faith in the Sand of the Mantra of Light (光明真言土砂勸信記; Kōmyō shingon dosha kanjinki). This is because the letter is first in the Sanskrit alphabet (and so it is like alpha) and it's also a negative prefix (like un-), and so has apophatic connotations. with Vairocana at the center, Hanging scroll, textile. Japan, 15th century. Five syllable mantras (Japanese: goji shingon) symbolize how all things in the universe (here: the five elements) are modes and emanations of Vairocana. One such mantra which is used in the Shingon school is: aḥ vi ra hūṃ khaṃ Each syllable is correlated with earth, water, fire, air, space respectively, while Vairocana is the sixth element - consciousness (vijñana). In the Mahavairocana sutra the mantra appears as: Namaḥ samanta-buddhānām a vi ra hūṃ khaṃ. According to East Asian mantrayana writers like Kakuban, this mantra can lead to enlightenment.Oṃ a vi ra hūṃ khaṃ vajra dhātu vaṃThis version includes another mantra associated with the Vajra Realm Mandala. There is another five element mantra of Vairocana, which is:Namaḥ samanta-buddhānām A vaṃ raṃ haṃ khaṃ"A" is the seed syllable mantra (bījamantra) of Vairocana in the Garbhadhatu mandala, while "Vaṃ" is the seed syllable of Vairocana in the Vajradhātu mandala. Thus, this five element mantra contains both main seed syllables of Vairocana in the East Asian Esoteric tradition. Furthermore, these two seed syllables are sometimes combined into one mantra: "A-Vaṃ". The dharani is as follows: OṂ namo bhagavate sarva durgati pariśodhana rājāya tathāgatāyārhate samyaksambudhāya tadyathā OṂ śodhane śodhane sarva pāpam viśodhani śuddhe viśuddhe sarvakarmāvarana viśodhani svāhā! ==Statues==

picturing Vairocana, in Lushan County, Henan, China. The massive size and brilliance of Vairocana statues serve as a reminder that all conditioned existence is empty and without a permanent identity, whereas the Dharmakāya is universal and beyond concepts. The Spring Temple Buddha of Lushan County, Henan, China, depicts Vairocana. With a height of 126 meters, it is the second tallest statue in the world (see list of tallest statues). The Daibutsu in the Tōdai-ji in Nara, Japan, is the largest bronze image of Vairocana in the world. The larger of the Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan that were destroyed by the Taliban was also a depiction of Vairocana. In Java, Indonesia, the ninth-century Mendut temple near Borobudur in Magelang was dedicated to the Dhyani Buddha Vairocana. Built by the Shailendra dynasty, the temple featured a three-meter tall stone statue of Vairocana, seated and performing the dharmachakra mudrā. The statue is flanked with statues of the bodhisattvas Avalokiteśvara and Vajrapani. ==Gallery==

File:Dazu 2007 807.jpg|Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279 CE) cliff carving of Vairocana (centre), with Manjushri (left), and Samantabhadra (right) among the Dazu Rock Carvings at Mount Baoding, Dazu District, Chongqing, China. File:Jinan 2009 1480.jpg|Ming dynasty statues of Vairocana (center), flanked on the far left by Amitabha and on the right by Bhaisajyaguru. Projecting tongues from Vairocana's throne are petals that symbolize his radiance in infinite directions. File:Murals and Buddha statues in Shanhua Temple 善化寺的壁画和佛像, Shanxi, 2024 (53956274907).jpg|Jin Dynasty (1115–1234) statue of Vairocana in Shanhua Temple in Datong, Shanxi, China, one out of a set of statues of the Five Tathāgatas. File:毗卢遮那佛侧照.jpg|Jin Dynasty (1115–1234) statue of Vairocana with two attendant Bodhisattvas in Longxing Temple in Yuncheng, Shanxi, China. File:唐 青銅鎏金大日如來像-Buddha Vairocana (Dari) MET DP170158.jpg|Tang dynasty bronze statue of Vairocana. 8th century. File:VairochanaMingCopper.jpg|Copper alloy statue of Vairocana, made in China during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Displayed at the Cantor Center for Visual Arts. File:Ming Bronze Vairocana Buddha.jpg|Ming dynasty bronze statue of Vairocana. Displayed at the Buddhism Sculpture Gallery in Aurora Museum, Pudong, Shanghai. File:Vairochana Buddha, China, Qing dynasty, 19th century AD, jade, gilt bronze, enamel, pearls, kingfisher feathers - Royal Ontario Museum - DSC03754.JPG|Statue of Vairocana, made in China during the Qing dynasty. 19th century. Made of jade, gilt bronze, enamel, pearls and kingfisher feathers. Displayed at the Royal Ontario Museum. File:001 Main Vairocana Buddha Statue (9141769268).jpg|Vairocana statue in Sam Poh Wan Futt Chi, a Chinese Buddhist temple in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia. File:Vairocana, Zhusheng Temple (Hunan).jpg|Shrine to Vairocana in Zhusheng Temple, Hunan, China. File:Vairocana at Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum.JPG|Vairocana at Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, Chinatown, Singapore. File:Seated Iron Vairocana Buddha of Borimsa Temple(장흥 보림사 철조비로자나불좌상).jpg|Seated iron statue of Vairocana in Borimsa Temple, on Gaji mountain in Jangheung County, South Jeolla, South Korea. File:Bulguksageumdongbirojanabuljwasang (Seated gilt-bronze vairocana buddha statue of Bulguksa Temple).jpg|A gilt-bronze statue of Vairocana Buddha, one of the National Treasures of South Korea, at Bulguksa. File:TodaijiDaibutsu0224.jpg|The Great Buddha of Tōdai-ji, at a Kegon Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan. File:Buddha Mendut.jpg|Vairocana with Avalokitesvara and Vajrapani. 9th century, Indonesia. File:Sarvavid Vairochana, From a Set of the Five Jina Buddhas, based on Complete Purification of All Evil Rebirths (Sarva Durgati Parishodana Tantra) LACMA AC1994.121.1 (cropped).jpg|Multi-headed Sarvavid Vairochana, Central Tibet, circa late 13th – early 14th century. File:Tượng Đại Nhật Như Lai ở miền Bắc Việt Nam.jpg|Vairocana statue in Northern Vietnam, 19th century AD, Nguyễn dynasty. == See also ==