Material: Embroidery. Cloth. Brocade (Vairocana)

Size: 155 X 100 cm (approximate size)

Description:

Vairocana (Sanskrit: Vairocana, Tibetan: rNam-par-snang-mdzad) has a high status in Tibetan Buddhism. It is one of the most central Buddhas in Tantric Buddhism (Vajrayana), representing the fundamental truth and wisdom of the universe. The following is an overview of the meaning and origin of Vairocana in Tibetan Buddhism:

**Meaning**

1. **Origin of the Universe and Dharmakaya Buddha**:

- Vairocana is regarded as the "Dharmakaya Buddha", symbolizing the essence of Buddha nature and the fundamental truth of the universe. He is the origin of all Buddhas and embodies the perfect combination of emptiness and wisdom.

- In the Tantric system of Tibetan Buddhism, Vairocana is the center of the "Five Buddhas" (Five Wisdom Tathagatas), representing the "Dharmakaya Wisdom", that is, the wisdom of realizing the essence of the universe.

- He transcends the limitations of time and space, symbolizing the essence and ultimate reality of all phenomena.

2. **Light and Illumination**:

- "Mahavairocana" means "great light illuminating all", symbolizing that his light of wisdom can illuminate ignorance and guide sentient beings to awaken from delusion.

- This light is not only a symbol of wisdom, but also represents compassion and blessing power, which pervades all sentient beings in the universe.

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

- In the tantras of Tibetan Buddhism (such as the Mahavairocana Sutra), Mahavairocana is the ultimate goal of practice. Practitioners use visualization, mandalas and rituals to correspond to the wisdom of Mahavairocana and achieve the unity of their own mind and the nature of the universe.

- The mandala of Mahavairocana (especially the Garbha-dhatu and Vajra-dhatu mandalas) is an important tool for Tantric practice, symbolizing the structure of the universe and the inner nature of sentient beings.

4. **Position among the Five Buddhas**:

- Mahavairocana Tathagata is located in the center of the Five Buddhas. The other four Buddhas (Akshobhya Tathagata, Ratnasambhava Tathagata, Amitabha Tathagata, Amoghasiddhi Tathagata) represent different wisdom and aspects, and together constitute the harmony of the universe.

- He governs the five wisdoms, symbolizing the sum and harmony of all Buddhist teachings.

**Origin**

1. **The roots of Indian Tantric Buddhism**:

- The concept of Mahavairocana Tathagata originated from the Tantric tradition of Indian Buddhism, especially the Mahavairocana-sūtra and Vajraśekhara-sūtra developed in the 7th and 8th centuries AD. These scriptures established the status of Mahavairocana Tathagata as the core Buddha of Tantric Buddhism.

- In India, Tantric Buddhism combines the emptiness thought of Mahayana Buddhism with the ritual elements of Brahmanism, and Mahavairocana Tathagata is shaped into a symbol of the universe.

2. **Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism**:

- With the introduction of Tantric Buddhism into Tibet by Padmasambhava and others in the 8th century, the worship of Vairocana Buddha and related tantric scriptures were introduced into Tibetan Buddhism.

- Vairocana Buddha is revered in all four major sects of Tibetan Buddhism (Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug), especially in the tantric practice of Nyingma and Sakya.

- In the mandala art and rituals of Tibetan Buddhism, Vairocana Buddha often appears in white or golden images, wearing a five-buddha crown and holding a Dharma wheel or vajra, symbolizing his wisdom and authority over everything.

3. **Integration with Tibetan Buddhism**:

- In Tibetan Buddhism, the image of Vairocana Buddha is combined with local beliefs and becomes the core of many Yidam practices. For example, in the Kalachakra tantra, Vairocana Buddha's wisdom and cosmic concepts are further deepened.

- Tibetan Buddhism emphasizes the purification of body, speech and mind through visualization of Mahavairocana, and the realization of unity with the nature of the universe, which is closely related to the Tibetan Buddhist concept of "becoming a Buddha in this life".

**Symbols and images**

- **Appearance**: Mahavairocana is usually depicted sitting on a lotus seat, with white or golden skin and wearing a five-buddha crown, symbolizing the integration of the five wisdoms. The mudra is often the "wisdom fist seal" (right fist covering the left fingers), representing the combination of wisdom and compassion.

- **Mandala**: Mahavairocana's Garbha Realm Mandala and Vajra Realm Mandala are the core images of Tantric practice, symbolizing the structure of the universe and the inner nature of all beings.

- **Mantra**: Mahavairocana's mantra (such as "Om Ah Hum Varitra Tathagata Hum") is widely used in Tantric rituals to purify the body and mind and correspond to the wisdom of Mahavairocana.

**Summary**

In Tibetan Buddhism, Mahavairocana is the ultimate symbol of cosmic truth and wisdom, representing the essence of the Dharmakaya Buddha and the harmony of all Buddhist teachings. His origin can be traced back to the classics of Indian Tantric Buddhism, and was deepened and systematized in Tibetan Buddhism, becoming the core of Tantric practice. Through visualization and rituals, practitioners try to correspond to the wisdom of Mahavairocana and achieve the goal of liberation and enlightenment.