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Songs and Meditations of the Tibetan Dhyani Buddhas

Bodhisattvas | Shaktis | Adi-Buddhas | Dhyani Buddhas | Vajra Maidens | Meditations Songs of the Shaktis of the Dhyani Buddhas, and their Bodhisattvas This site focuses on the Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist Pantheon. Each of the beings named here represents a unique spiritual personality or essence. The principal beings are the five Dhyani Buddhas- the esoteric meditation Buddhas of the five colors found in The Tibetan Book of the Dead and other sources. The contemplative poetry presented here evokes the thoughts and images of these beings using the metaphor of music. Each poem can be looked at as a meditative exercise or visualization designed to tune the reader to the state of mind or spiritual environment of the being that is speaking. The point of view of each being is: First, of a spiritual personality describing his or her essential nature Second, of an actor describing his or her role in the Vajrayana tradition, and the spiritual environment in which action takes place Third, of a spiritual guide giving advice to the seeker The purpose is to introduce the spiritual seeker to elements of the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition outside the bounds of a particular lineage or school. When a Tibetan monk or nun is initiated into a Vajrayana lineage, he or she is often given a Yidam who serves as a spiritual guide, protector, and a focus of meditation. The practitioner does meditation to forge a strong link with this inner guide and teacher. One of the beings listed below is often chosen as a Yidam or guide for the initiate. One function of these guides is to inspire creativity, for they can serve as muses. However their traditional role is guide to the spiritual traveler who seeks knowledge of and access to the many inner worlds one may encounter during meditation. This kind of visionary experience is a stepping stone to the ultimate Buddhist goal of liberation from suffering (enlightenment). The contemplative images here can serve as maps describing the geography of the inner spiritual worlds. They can also familiarize the reader with the values and ideals of Buddhism and the Tibetan tradition. We hope that the material presented here will encourage an interest in Tibetan Buddhist meditation and visualization, and make the infinite realms of the Spirit more accessible to the seeker. Enjoy the journey! The Adi (Primordial) Buddhas Vajrasattva - The Adi-Buddha of Diamond-light Vajrasattva is the Buddha of diamond-wisdom, and is the chief Buddha of the five Dhyani Buddhas. Vajradhara - The Adi-Buddha of Indestructible Blue Light Vajradhara is the Adi-Buddha for the both the Red-cap and Yellow-cap Vajrayana schools, as well as the lord of all mysteries and master of all secrets. Vajradhara, or he who holds the thunderbolt is said to conquer and subdue all evil spirits who are the enemies of Buddhism. He presides over the eight Dharmapalas who are the ferocious defenders of the dharma. The Bodhisattvas (Emanations or Spiritual Sons) of the Dhyani Buddhas Avalokiteshvara - The Spiritual Emanation of Amitabha Amitabha's color is red. He is known as the Buddha of discriminating wisdom as well as the Buddha of infinite light. His bodhisattva or spiritual emanation is Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion or he who looks on the universe with the eyes of compassion. Ratnapani - The Spiritual Emanation of Ratnasambhava Ratnasambhava's color is yellow. He is the Buddha of the wisdom of harmony and equality. His bodhisattva is Ratnapani - the jewel-bearer who holds the cintamani (wish-fulfilling gem). Vajrapani - The Spiritual Emanation of Aksobhya Aksobhya's color is blue. He is the Buddha of mirror-like wisdom and is known as the Immovable One. His bodhisattva is Vajrapani- the bearer of the thunderbolt (vajra). Samantabhadra - The Spiritual Emanation of Vairocana Vairocana's color is white. He is called the maker of perfect light. His spiritual emanation is Samantabhadra, the bodhisattva of universal kindness. Visvapani - The Spiritual Emanation of Amoghasiddhi Amoghasiddhi's color is green. He is the Buddha of all-accomplishing or all-perfecting wisdom. His bodhisattva is Visvapani, the double thunderbolt bearer. The Spiritual Shaktis (Female Partners and Powers of Manifestation) of the Dhyani Buddhas Mamaki -              The Spiritual Shakti of Aksobhya Locana -               The Spiritual Shakti of Vairocana Vajradhatvisvari - The Spiritual Shakti of Ratnasambhava Pandara -             The Spiritual Shakti of Amitabha Maha Arya Tara - The Spiritual Shakti of Amoghasiddhi The Dhyani (Esoteric or Meditation) Buddhas Vairocana -          The Dhyani Buddha of Brilliant White Light (NOT YET AVAILABLE) Akshobya -           The Dhyani Buddha of Mirror-like Blue Light (NOT YET AVAILABLE) Amoghasiddhi -     The Dhyani Buddha of All-accomplishing Green Light (NOT YET AVAILABLE) Ratnasambhva -     The Dhyani Buddha of Harmonious Golden Light (NOT YET AVAILABLE) Amitabha -             The Dhyani Buddha of the Red Light of Discriminating Wisdom (NOT YET AVAILABLE) The Vajra Maidens Red Dakini -        The Crimson Rose Skydancer Black Dakini -      The Dark Face of the Void Blue Dakini -        The Dancer on Ocean and Sky Vajramrita -          The Essence of Flowing Nectar Vajralasi -             The Essence of Laughter and Wonder Vajradhupa -         The Essence of Clear Sweetness Amidst Clouds Vajravarahi -         The Essence of Abundance and Fertility Vajragiti -              The Essence of Crystalline Song Other Vajra Bodhisattvas Vajragarbha -        The Bodhisattva whose Fierce Essence is the Destruction of Illusion Manjusri -              The Bodhisattva with the Sword of Discriminating Wisdom Maitreya -              The Coming Buddha Padmapani -          The Bodhisattva of Aesthetics Sagaramati -          The Bodhisattva whose Mind is like the Ocean Meditations on the Many Worlds of the Vajrayana Tradition Prajnaparamita -     A Meditation on the Goddess Of Transcendental Wisdom White Tara -           A Meditation on Visiting the Land of the Yoginis Member of the Meditating Buddhists Next site Previous site Next 5 sites Random site Buddhist Chat! 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