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Vairocana Buddha, also known as Mahavairocana, is one of the three bodies of Shakyamuni Buddha and one of the Five Wisdom Buddhas. In Chinese translations, he is referred to as Mahavairocana, Vairocana, Omnipresent, and All-Illuminating.
"Vairocana" means dispelling all darkness, illuminating the entire universe, benefiting all living beings in the world, and his light is neither born nor extinguished. "Vairocana" means all-pervading illumination, hence Vairocana Buddha is also called the All-Illuminating Tathagata. The name Vairocana Buddha appeared in the 7th century.
Vairocana Buddha is considered the embodiment of reason and wisdom in Buddhism. He is the central Buddha in the esoteric world, the dharmakaya of all Buddhas, which is the true nature of Buddha, representing absolute truth.
In esoteric Buddhism, the ultimate reality of the universe is personified as Buddha, with Vairocana as the fundamental Buddha. He is also the origin of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and the ultimate fruition they return to. His body, speech, and mind pervade the void, expounding the profound teachings of the three mysteries of the Tathagata's Vajra One Vehicle.
In the Huayan School, Vairocana is the master of the Lotus Treasury World and the dharmakaya Buddha that encompasses the dharmakayas of all Buddhas in the ten directions. The Faxiang School regards him as the self-nature body of Shakyamuni Buddha, while the Tiantai School sees him as the dharmakaya of Shakyamuni Buddha. In Shingon Buddhism, he is revered as the master and called Mahavairocana, serving as the central deity in both the Diamond Realm and Womb Realm mandalas.
There are many legends about Vairocana Buddha. It is said that Vairocana Buddha was originally the sun god in ancient Indian mythology, later absorbed into Buddhism and becoming an important deity. Therefore, in Buddhism, Vairocana Buddha is considered a symbol of light and wisdom, capable of dispelling darkness and ignorance, bringing wisdom and liberation.
There is also a legend that Nagarjuna Bodhisattva opened the iron tower in South India, personally met Vajrasattva, received the great dharma, and was given two great sutras. One of these is said to be Vairocana's proclamation of his own realized state of sacred wisdom, asserting that humans inherently possess a self-nature that transcends the universe, and this self-nature is the causeless master of the universe and human nature.
Another legend states that Vairocana's emanation body for giving orders is Acala, who is the emanation body of all Buddhas for giving orders and the main deity among the Five Great Wisdom Kings in esoteric Buddhism, capable of subduing all demons.
Vairocana Buddha is the dharmakaya Buddha, while Shakyamuni Buddha is the nirmanakaya Buddha. This means that Vairocana Buddha manifests as Shakyamuni Buddha to suit the needs of our world and to liberate sentient beings.
According to relevant records, during the first seven days after Shakyamuni Buddha's enlightenment, while enjoying the dharma bliss, he expounded this mantra to the great Vajra Bodhisattvas. After Vajrasattva received the dharma, he compiled it into a Buddhist sutra of 100,000 verses and placed it in the iron tower in South India. Later, Nagarjuna Bodhisattva opened the iron tower in South India, personally met Vajrasattva, received the great dharma, and was given two great sutras.
Subsequently, Nagarjuna passed the dharma to Nagabodhi Bodhisattva, who spread the teachings in South India and Sri Lanka, living for over 700 years. He then transmitted the two great dharmas to the two great masters, Subhakarasimha and Vajrabodhi. These two masters came to China, marking the beginning of Tang Dynasty esoteric Buddhism.
Vairocana Buddha holds an unparalleled, lofty position in Buddhism. In esoteric Buddhist doctrine, Vairocana Buddha is viewed as the supreme deity, the source of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. He represents absolute truth, boundless wisdom, and infinite compassion. All esoteric Buddhist practices and teachings revolve around Vairocana Buddha.
The wisdom of the dharma realm's inherent nature, symbolized by Vairocana Buddha, encompasses the essence of all wisdom. This wisdom not only guides sentient beings to overcome afflictions and ignorance towards liberation but also inspires them to develop their innate goodness and accomplish various extraordinary achievements in both worldly and transcendent realms.
His light illuminates all places without distinction between day and night. All sentient and non-sentient beings, both worldly and transcendent, can receive his grace. This grace is manifested not only in spiritual guidance and enlightenment but also in protection and empowerment in daily life.
In the Buddhist practice system, Vairocana Buddha guides practitioners. Whether seeking inner peace and liberation or hoping to achieve good karma and accomplishments in the world, Vairocana Buddha is the most sublime guide and support in the hearts of practitioners. For example, many practitioners gain inner peace and strength by making offerings and praying to Vairocana Buddha, enabling them to maintain firm faith and a positive attitude when facing difficulties and challenges in life.
Vairocana Buddha has close and complex relationships with other deities. In the Buddhist system, Vairocana Buddha is regarded as the fundamental Buddha of esoteric Buddhism, leading numerous Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
For instance, in the Three Saints of the Avatamsaka, Vairocana Buddha is accompanied by Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. Manjushri Bodhisattva represents wisdom, while Samantabhadra Bodhisattva symbolizes vows and practices. Together with Vairocana Buddha, they form a complete system of practice, guiding sentient beings to pursue liberation under the guidance of wisdom and with firm vows and practices.
Among the Five Wisdom Buddhas in esoteric Buddhism, Vairocana Buddha occupies the central position, with the other four directional Buddhas being Akshobhya Buddha in the east, Amitabha Buddha in the west, Ratnasambhava Buddha in the south, and Amoghasiddhi Buddha in the north. Each directional Buddha represents different wisdom and qualities, while Vairocana Buddha encompasses all of these, embodying the comprehensiveness and perfection of the Buddha's teachings.
Moreover, Vairocana Buddha has a special connection with Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Vairocana Buddha is considered the dharmakaya of Shakyamuni Buddha, representing his essential wisdom and truth.
This relationship demonstrates the interconnectedness and complementarity of the deity system in Buddhism, collectively providing diverse paths of practice and spiritual guidance for sentient beings.
Vairocana Buddha's image has various characteristics. In the Diamond Realm, he wears a white five-wisdom jeweled crown and forms the great wisdom fist mudra with his hands. This appearance is said to eliminate afflictions and bestow Buddha's wisdom.
In the Womb Realm, Vairocana Buddha has a golden topknot and forms the dharma realm meditation mudra, sitting on a red lotus throne. The meditation mudra is formed by placing both hands palm up on the lower abdomen, with the right hand on top of the left and the tips of the thumbs touching. Additionally, Vairocana Buddha has another common image where one hand forms the anjali mudra while the other holds a dharma instrument, symbolizing luminous wisdom and supreme perfect enlightenment. His image is often magnificent and noble, adorned with necklaces and jewels, displaying solemnity and sacredness.
The legends of Vairocana Buddha have profound significance in Buddhist culture. These legends are not only expressions of religious faith but also carry rich cultural connotations and values. The legends often convey Vairocana Buddha's compassion, wisdom, and power through vivid stories and images. They inspire people's inner longing for beauty, justice, and kindness, guiding them to maintain a positive attitude in life.
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