PANCHA BUDDHA

MoNA Collection

 

Museum of Nepali Art · Pancha Buddha

Dimension : 12 X10 cm
Medium: Gouache on Canvas

About the Art

The "Pancha Buddha" or "Five Wisdom Tathagata" is the depiction of five knowledge of Shakyamuni Buddha. The representation of the five different Buddhas is a metaphorical way to describe "Buddhatta" or enlightenment. The Five Buddhas represent defilements in their purified of transformed forms. We have Ratnasambhava, Akshobya, Vairochana, Amitabha, Amoghsiddhi Buddha on the top left of the painting. 


Akṣobhya Buddha (East)

Color: Blue, the element of Ether

Symbol: Vajra

Defilements: Anger, Hatred

Symbolizes the cosmic aggregate of Consciousness.

Philosophy: Transformation of the anger that we have through the mirror-like wisdom/ideal knowledge (आदर्शज्ञान). His wisdom is like space, without limits, and characteristics.

The Akshobhya Buddha is the epitome of knowledge and conveys one can overcome any kind of anger as well as hatred. His essence is the purified form of hatred. 

Vehicle: He rides Elephant as the representation of great knowledge and wisdom and the steadfast nature of Bodhisattva vows.


Ratnasambhava (South)

Color: Yellow, the element of the earth

Symbol: Ratna (Jewel)

Defilements: Pride, Miserly

Symbolizes the cosmic aggregate of Sensation. 

Philosophy: Transformation of pride through the wisdom of equality (समता ज्ञान). To encourage that one can stabilize one’s pride through a state of equilibrium. His knowledge represents the purified form of pride.

Vehicle: He rides a Horse that symbolizes he carries the suffering of sentient beings with full vigor. 


Amitābha (West)

Color: Red, the symbol of Fire

Symbol: Paḍma (Lotus)

Defilements: Attachment, Cravings

Symbolizes the cosmic aggregate of Perception

Philosophy: Transformation of attachment through the wisdom of discriminating awareness (प्रत्यवेक्षना ज्ञान). When discriminating wisdom dawns on us, we realize the Non-production or Non-origination of all things (Śunyata Jñāna). 

Vehicle: He rides a Peacock, symbolizing that he can take away the suffering of others just as a peacock can eat poisonous plants and still shine.


Amoghasiddhi Buddha (North)

Color: Green, the element of the Air

Symbol: Viśva Vajra (double Vajra)

Defilements: Jealousy, Envy

Symbolizes the cosmic aggregate of Mental formation and volition.

Philosophy: Transformation of envy through the All-Accomplishing Wisdom (कृत्यानुस्थान ज्ञान). His wisdom represents the purified form of jealousy. When one realizes the all-accomplishing wisdom, one can perform all the activities of Buddha without premeditation. 

Vehicle: He rides on Garuda, which symbolizes that he can detect the serpent-like delusion from a distance.


Vairocana (Center)

Generally, he is kept in the inner sanctum of the stupas (caitya). 

Color: White, the element of Water

Symbol: Dharma Cakra

Defilements: Ignorance, Delusion, Illusion

Symbolizes the cosmic aggregate of Form

Philosophy:

Transformation of the ignorance, delusion into all-pervasive wisdom (सुविसुद्ध धर्मधातु ज्ञान). The knowledge that is free from all kinds of obscuration.

 Vehicle: He rides on a Lion, symbolizing the lion’s roar of the knowledge of the Dharmadhātu, which terrifies all wrong views.


 

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