Five Wisdom Buddhas (Buddhism)
The Five Wisdom Buddhas (Sanskrit: Pañca Jina, Tibetan: སངས་རྒྱས་སྣ་ལྡན་, Sangs rgyas sna ldan), also known as the Five Dhyani Buddhas or Five Tathagatas, are central figures in Vajrayana Buddhism and represent five aspects of enlightened consciousness. Each of these Buddhas embodies a particular type of wisdom that transforms a specific defilement into enlightened awareness. They are symbolic of the five aggregates (skandhas) of human experience, the five elements, and the five directions of the universe.
The Five Wisdom Buddhas emerge from Mahayana and Vajrayana teachings, where they represent the ultimate potential of every sentient being to transform the five primary defilements into corresponding wisdoms. Together, they are often depicted in a mandala, where each Buddha presides over one of the five directions (center, east, west, north, and south), symbolizing the all-encompassing nature of enlightenment.
Each of the Five Wisdom Buddhas embodies a specific wisdom and element and is associated with transforming a particular mental poison into its corresponding wisdom:
2.1 Vairocana (Center)
• Wisdom: Wisdom of Dharmadhatu (all-encompassing wisdom). • Transformation: Ignorance (avidya) into the wisdom that perceives the true nature of reality. • Element: Space. • Color: White. • Symbol: Dharma wheel (dharmachakra). • Direction: Center.
Vairocana represents the central figure in many mandalas and embodies the pure awareness of the Dharmakaya, the ultimate nature of all phenomena.
2.2 Akshobhya (East)
• Wisdom: Mirror-like Wisdom. • Transformation: Anger (dvesha) into the clear and reflective wisdom that sees things as they are. • Element: Water. • Color: Blue. • Symbol: Vajra (thunderbolt). • Direction: East.
Akshobhya’s wisdom reflects reality without distortion, like a mirror, and his vajra represents the unshakable clarity and indestructibility of this wisdom.
2.3 Ratnasambhava (South)
• Wisdom: Wisdom of Equality. • Transformation: Pride (mana) into the wisdom that recognizes the inherent equality and value of all beings. • Element: Earth. • Color: Yellow. • Symbol: Jewel (ratna). • Direction: South.
Ratnasambhava embodies generosity and equanimity, with his jewel symbolizing the richness of Buddha-nature present in all beings.
2.4 Amitabha (West)
• Wisdom: Discriminating Wisdom. • Transformation: Desire (raga) into the wisdom that clearly distinguishes the unique qualities of all things without attachment. • Element: Fire. • Color: Red. • Symbol: Lotus. • Direction: West.
Amitabha is associated with the Pure Land tradition and represents the discriminating wisdom that recognizes the uniqueness of phenomena while remaining free of clinging and attachment.
2.5 Amoghasiddhi (North)
• Wisdom: All-Accomplishing Wisdom. • Transformation: Jealousy (irshya) into the wisdom of skillful action that accomplishes all goals. • Element: Air. • Color: Green. • Symbol: Double vajra (vishvavajra). • Direction: North.