Vairochana, Buddha (Tibetan: nang par nang dze): a principal buddha within Vajrayana Buddhism.
With one face and two hands, white in colour, he sits in the traditional posture. The hair is piled on the crown of the head forming a topknot (Sanskrit: ushnisha). A dot adorns the forehead (Skt.: urna) and gold flowers decorate the upper tips of the ears with long pierced earlobes below. Three classical beauty lines adorn the neck. The two hands are held to the heart performing the Dharma teaching mudra - loosely resembling an 8-spoked wheel. The left shoulder is covered with a red and gold trimmed robe. The right arm remains bare according to monastic custom. The two legs are folded together in vajra posture with the soles of the feet facing upward - right over left, atop a white snow lion supported throne and elaborate gold backrest. A dark blue nimbus and green areola surround the body and head within a larger circle of red swirling light. At the left stands a bodhisattva, green in colour, with the right hand placed at the heart holding the stem of a flower blossom supporting an upright sword of wisdom. The left hand extended downward performs the mudra of generosity, wearing jewel ornaments and celestial garments. At the right side a similar bodhisattva, red in colour, performs the mudra of generosity with the right hand and holds the stem of a lotus blossom with the left. At the top corners, right and left, sit monastic figures performing the teaching mudra at the heart and holding the stem of a lotus flower blossoming over the shoulder. They both sit on pink lotus seats surrounded by light. Vairochana plays a central role in Vajrayana Buddhism, represented in Carya classification by the important Vairochana Abhisambodhi Tantra in 26 chapters and in the Yoga classification by the Sarvadurgati Parishodhana Tantra. He is the Lord of the 1st of the Five Buddha Families of anuttarayoga and found throughout all the various tantras. 'Vairocana' means the 'Resplendent One or 'Shining Out' and represents the dharma or transcendent truth of the Buddhist message. In the three-body doctrine of Mahayana Buddhism, he represents the dharma-body and is also associated with the Adi Buddha who embodies the essence of the teaching and the final goal. The Brahma Net Sutra Translated by the Buddhist Text Translation Society in USA I. Vairocana Buddha At that time, Vairocana Buddha began speaking in general about the Mind-Ground for the benefit of the Great Assembly. What he said represents but an infinitesimal part, the tip of a hair, of His innumerable teachings -- as numerous as the grains of sand in the river Ganges. He concluded: "The Mind-Ground has been explained, is being explained and will be explained by all the Buddhas -- past, present, and future. It is also the Dharma Door (cultivation method) that all the Bodhisattvas of the past, present, and future have studied, are studying and will study." "I have cultivated this Mind-Ground Dharma Door for hundreds of eons. My name is Vairocana. I request all Buddhas to transmit my words to all sentient beings, so as to open this path of cultivation to all." At that time, from his Lion's Throne in the Lotus Treasury World, Vairocana Buddha emitted rays of light. A voice among the rays is heard telling the Buddhas seated on thousands of lotus petals, "You should practice and uphold the Mind-Ground Dharma Door and transmit it to the innumerable Sakyamuni Buddhas, one after another, as well as to all sentient beings. Everyone should uphold, read, recite, and singlemindedly put its teachings into practice." After receiving the Dharma-door of the Mind-Ground, the Buddhas seated atop the thousands of lotus flowers along with the innumerable Sakyamuni Buddhas all arose from their Lion seats, their bodies emitting innumerable rays of light. In each of these rays appeared innumerable Buddhas who simultaneously made offerings of green, yellow, red and white celestial flowers to Vairocana Buddha. They then slowly took their leave. The Buddhas then disappeared from the Lotus Treasury World, entered the Essence-Nature Empty Space Floral Brilliance Samadhi and returned to their former places under the Bodhi-tree in this world of Jambudvipa. They then arose from their samadhi, sat on their Diamond Thrones in Jambudvipa and the Heaven of the Four Kings, and preached the Dharma of the "Ten Oceans of Worlds." Thereupon, they ascended to Lord Shakya's palace and expounded the "Ten Dwellings," proceeded to the Suyama Heaven and taught the "Ten Practices," proceeded further to the Fourth Heaven and taught the "Ten Dedications," proceeded further to the Transformation of Bliss Heaven and taught the "Ten Dhyana Samadhi," proceeded further to the Heaven of Comfort From Others' Emanations and taught the "Ten Grounds," proceeded further to the First Dhyana Heaven and taught the "Ten Vajra Stages," proceeded further to the Second Dhyana Heaven and taught the "Ten Patiences," and proceeded further to the Third Dhyana Heaven and taught the "Ten Vows." Finally, in the Fourth Dhyana Heaven, at Lord Brahma's Palace, they taught the "Mind-Ground Dharma-Door" chapter, which Vairocana Buddha, in eons past, expounded in the Lotus Treasury World (the cosmos). All the other innumerable transformation Sakyamuni Buddhas did likewise in their respective worlds as the chapter "Auspicious Kalpa" has explained. Now, I, Vairocana Buddha Am sitting atop a lotus pedestal; On a thousand flowers surrounding me Are a thousand Sakyamuni Buddhas. Each flower supports a hundred million worlds; In each world a Sakyamuni Buddha appears. All are seated beneath a Bodhi-tree, All simultaneously attain Buddhahood. All these innumerable Buddhas Have Vairocana as their original body. These countless Sakyamuni Buddhas All bring followers along -- as numerous as motes of dust. They all proceed to my lotus pedestal To listen to the Buddha's precepts. I now preach the Dharma, this exquisite nectar. Afterward, the countless Buddhas return to their respective worlds And, under a Bodhi-tree, proclaim these major and minor precepts Of Vairocana, the Original Buddha. The precepts are like the radiant sun and moon, Like a shining necklace of gems, Bodhisattvas as numerous as motes of dust Uphold them and attain Buddhahood. These precepts are recited by Vairocana, These precepts I recite as well. You novice Bodhisattvas Should reverently accept and uphold them. And once you have done so, Transmit and teach them to sentient beings. Now listen attentively as I recite The Bodhisattva Pratimoksa -- the source of all precepts in the Buddha Dharma. All of you in the Great Assembly should firmly believe That you are the Buddhas of the future, While I am a Buddha already accomplished. If you should have such faith at all times, Then this precept code is fulfilled. All beings with resolve Should accept and uphold the Buddha's precepts. Sentient beings on receiving them Join forthwith the ranks of Buddhas. They are in essence equal to the Buddhas, They are the true offspring of the Buddhas. Therefore, Great Assembly, Listen with utmost reverence As I proclaim the Bodhisattva Moral Code. ~ Excerpt from The Brahma Net Sutra ~ X. Verses of Dedication In the Lotus Treasury World, Vairocana explained an infinitesimal part of the Mind-Ground Door, Transmitting it to the Sakyamunis: Major and minor precepts are clearly delineated, All sentient beings receive immense benefits. Homage to Vairocana Buddha, Lord of the Brahma Net. | 
1 Comment:
thank you for sharing
Post a Comment