Material: "Mahavairocana" cloth frame printed thangka

Size: about 122 x 83 cm

Description:

Mahavairocana (Sanskrit: Vairocana, Tibetan: རྣམ་པར་སྣང་མཛད་, Nampar Nangdze) has a very high status in Tibetan Buddhism. It is one of the most core deities in Tantric Buddhism (Vajrayana), symbolizing the fundamental truth and wisdom of the universe. His influence and mythological stories occupy an important position in the doctrines, rituals and art of Tibetan Buddhism. The following will briefly describe the status, influence and mythological origin of Mahavairocana.

1. The status and influence of Mahavairocana in Tibetan Buddhism

1. **The core deity and the symbol of the truth of the universe**:

- Mahavairocana is regarded as the "Dharmakaya Buddha" in Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, representing the fundamental reality (Dharmatā) and boundless wisdom of the universe. He is the core deity of the tantric scriptures such as the Mahāvairocana-sūtra and the Vajraśekhara-sūtra, and embodies the idea that "everything is Buddha".

- In the system of the Five Wisdom Buddhas (the Five Wisdom Buddhas), Mahavairocana is in the center, governing the other four Buddhas (Akshobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, and Amoghasiddhi), symbolizing "Great Perfection" and "Dharmakaya Wisdom". He is considered to be the source of all Buddhist teachings, transcending time and space.

2. **The core of Tantric practice**:

- In the tantric practice of Tibetan Buddhism, Mahavairocana is the center of many deity yoga practices, especially in the Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug schools, the rituals related to Mahavairocana (such as mandala offerings and visualization practices) are extremely important.

- His image often appears in thangkas, mandalas and temple murals as an object of visualization for practitioners, helping them realize emptiness and wisdom.

3. **Influence of culture and art**:

- The image of Vairocana is very common in Tibetan Buddhist art. He is usually depicted as white or golden, wearing a five-buddha crown, with his hands in the "wisdom fist seal" (right fist holding left finger, symbolizing the combination of wisdom and compassion), or holding Dharma instruments such as the Dharma wheel. His image symbolizes the harmony and perfection of the universe.

- In Tibetan Buddhist temples, statues or portraits of Vairocana are often located in the center, reflecting his supreme status. For example, in the mandala design of the Potala Palace in Lhasa and the Samye Monastery, Vairocana is often the core.

4. **Influence of doctrine**:

- The doctrine of Vairocana emphasizes "attaining Buddhahood in this life", that is, through tantric practice, sentient beings can achieve the same enlightenment as Vairocana in this life. This thought has had a profound impact on the practice of Tibetan Buddhism (such as Mahamudra and Dzogchen).

- His teachings were introduced to Tibet through classics such as the Mahavairocana Sutra, and were closely related to the promotion of inheritors such as Padmasambhava, laying the theoretical foundation for Tibetan Tantric Buddhism.

2. The myth and origin of Mahavairocana

1. **Origin and Indian Buddhist background**:

- The concept of Mahavairocana originated from the esoteric tradition of Indian Mahayana Buddhism, especially the Mahavairocana Sutra and the Vajrasekhara Sutra formed around the 7th century. These classics describe Mahavairocana as the origin of the universe, transcending the incarnation form of ordinary Buddhas, and representing the ultimate reality of the Dharmakaya (self-nature body).

- "Vairocana" means "bright and shining" or "great light", symbolizing that he shines on everything like the sun, breaking through ignorance and illuminating the consciousness of all beings.

2. **Myth**:

- In the esoteric scriptures, Mahavairocana is described as the incarnation of the creation and wisdom of the universe. He is not a concrete "god", but the essence of the Dharmadhatu, and his power is manifested through mantras and secret mantras.

- According to the myth of the Mahavairocana Sutra, Mahavairocana preached the secret teachings in the Dharmadhatu Palace (Akanistha), teaching sentient beings how to realize their true nature through visualization, mantras and rituals. His teachings were passed on to human practitioners by Vajrasattva.

- In the legend of Tibetan Buddhism, Guru Padmasambhava introduced the secret teachings of Mahavairocana to Tibet, combined with local Bon elements, and formed a unique Tibetan Tantric practice. Some legends believe that the incarnation of Mahavairocana has appeared in the world in different forms (such as Buddha or Bodhisattva) to guide sentient beings.

3. **Symbols and Mandalas**:

- The mandalas of Mahavairocana (such as the Vajra Realm Mandala and the Garbha Realm Mandala) are visual expressions of his myths. The Vajra Realm Mandala is centered on Mahavairocana, symbolizing the unfolding of wisdom; the Garbha Realm Mandala emphasizes the connection between compassion and sentient beings.

- In mythology, Mahavairocana connects the order of the universe with the nature of sentient beings through the structure of the mandala, and teaches practitioners to enter the realm of "Mavairocana Dharmakaya" through visualization.

III. Summary

Mavairocana is the supreme deity in Tibetan Buddhism, representing the truth of the universe and boundless wisdom, and has a profound influence on Tantric practice, art and doctrine. His mythological origin is rooted in the Indian Tantric classics, and through the promotion of inheritors such as Guru Padmasambhava, it has been integrated into the unique tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He is not only the object of practice, but also a symbol of the perfection of the universe, guiding sentient beings to the path of enlightenment.