Amoghasiddhi and the Dhyani Buddhas

In its typical penchant for classification and categorization, Vajrayana Buddhism divides the negative delusions plaguing the human form into five categories. These are: ignorance, anger, pride, attachment, and jealousy. They are said to be the sum total of all factors which keep us away from enlightenment. But hope lies in the belief that the human mind holds within itself the potential to metamorphose these negative traits into positive attributes. In a supreme moment of creative inspiration, which can be counted amongst the highest achievements in the history of human aesthetic instinct, these transformed emotions are visualized as five different, beautiful and resplendent Buddhas. Invariably seated upon their auspicious lotus thrones, they are known collectively as the Dhyani Buddhas. This is in consistency with their iconographic representations, where they are shown seated in the posture of meditation, known in Sanskrit as Dhyana. They are also known as 'jina,' meaning victory, signifying a conceptual victory over our unenlightened minds. Each of these Dhyani Buddhas displays a different hand mudra and color.

At the center of this painting is the large figure of Dhyani Buddha Amoghasiddhi. The hand gesture made by Amoghasiddhi is the Abhaya mudra. Abhaya in Sanskrit means fearlessness. Thus this mudra symbolizes protection, peace, and the dispelling of fear. His body is green, the color of the peace and tranquillity of Nature. It is a soothing and relaxing color, which calms anxiety.

Surrounding the central image of Amoghasiddhi are the other four Dhyani Buddhas inhabiting the corners. In a clockwise direction starting from upper right are the red Amitabha Buddha in the dhyana mudra; white Vairochana in the dharmachakra mudra; blue Akshobhya in bhumisparsha mudra and finally yellow Ratnasambhava in the varada mudra.

That the artist was well-versed with ancient iconographic canons is evident in the faithful rendering of the five dhyani Buddhas in their respective hues and mudras.

Click Here to View the Thangka Painting along with its Brocade

---

Delivered by to all international destinations within 3 to 5 days, fully insured.

---