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The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sadhanamala and Other Cognate Tantric Texts of Rituals c10.s5: 4. Amoghasiddhi

The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sādhanamālā and Other Cognate Tāntric Texts of Rituals c10.s5

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Contents

4. Amoghasiddhi

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Colour—Green Mudrā—Abhaya Vāhana—Garuḍa Symbol—Viśvavajra

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The Nepalese Buddhists consider him to be the Fifth Dhyāni Buddha in order. His left hand lies open on the lap and the right exhibits the Abhaya (protection) mudrā. His form is described in many places in Tāntric works but the one appearing in the Advayavajrasaṅgraha appears to be the best and is quoted below :

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“Uttaradale sūryamaṇḍalopari śyāma-Khaṃ-kārajaḥ śyāmavarṇo-’moghasiddhiḥ viśva-vajracihnābhayamudrādharaḥ Saṃskāraskandhasvabhāvo Varṣārturūpaḥ [Karmakulī] piśitāp(ś?)aḥtiktarasātmakah pavargaviśuddhaḥ ardharātrasvabhāvaḥ.” ADV. p. 41-42

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“Amoghasiddhi originates from the green syllable Khaṃ placed on the orb of the sun on the northern petal of the lotus, and is of green colour. [His recognition symbol is the Viśvavajra or the double thunderbolt. He exhibits the Abhaya (protection) mudrā and represents the cosmic element of Saṃskāra (conformation). He is the embodiment of the rainy season and is a demon by nature; [he belongs to the Karma family] and he represents the bitter taste, the Pa (labial) group of letters and the middle part of the night.”

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When represented, his colour is green and he always faces the North. His Vāhana is a pair of Garuḍas and his recognition symbol is the Viśvavajra or the double conventional thunderbolt. Sometimes a serpent with seven hoods forms the background and an umbrella. In front of his shrine, therefore, is found a small square pit which is meant for the snake

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Statues and paintings of this Dhyāni Buddha are found in large numbers in all Buddhist countries especially of the North. Some of them are reproduced here (Figs. 33, 34). He is popular in Tibet ¹ and China ²

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¹ Gordon: ITL, p. 27, Getty: GNB. p. 42.

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² Clark: TLP, II. pp. 32, 56, 115, 126, 128, 138, 144.

Tārā

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Colour—Green Symbol—Utpala

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| Tārā also called Tāriṇī according to a Dhyāna found in the Pañcākāra section of the Advayavajrasaṅgraha belongs to the Karma family to which evidently the Dhyāni Buddha Amoghasiddhi is also associated. The green colour of Tārā also suggests that she is the spiritual consort of Amoghasiddhi of green colour Her form and nature are given in the following passage:

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“Aśānyāṃ candramaṇḍalopari kanakaśyāma-Tāṃ kārapariṇatā Tāriṇī śyāmavarṇā syāmanīlotpalacihnā vāyudhātusvarūpā Karmakulā īrṣyāraktā.” ADV. p. 43.

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“In the Īśāna corner on the orb of the moon there is Tāriṇī originating from the germ syllable Tāṃ of golden green colour Her recognition symbol is a green night lotus. She is the embodiment of the element of Air. She belongs to the Karma family and is full of jealousy.”

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Fig. 12 ĀDI-BUDDHA, VAJRADHARA. ( From a Nepalese Painting )

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Fig. 13 Vajradhara ( Baroda Museum )

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Fig. 14 Vajradhara Yab-yum ( Nepal )

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Fig. 15 Vajradhara Yab-yum ( Side View )

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Fig. 16 Vajradhara (Six-armed) ( Baroda Museum )

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Fig. 17 Buddha in different Mudrās ( Nalanda )

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Fig. 18 Buddha in different Mudrās ( Java )

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Fig. 19 Amitābha.

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Fig. 20 Pāṇḍarā.

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Fig. 21 Padmapāṇi ( Nepal )

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Fig. 22 Akṣobhya.

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Fig. 23 Akṣobhya (Nepal)

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Fig. 24 Māmakī.

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Fig. 25 Vajrapāṇi (Nepal)

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Fig. 26 Vajrapāṇi ( Indian Museum )

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Fig. 27 Vajrapāṇi ( Nalanda )

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Fig. 28 Vairocana

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Fig. 29 Vairocana ( Nepal )

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Fig. 30 Vairocana-Vajradhatu (Peiping)

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Fig. 31 Locanā

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Fig. 32 Samantabhadra (Nepal)

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Fig. 33 Amoghasiddhi

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Fig. 34 Amoghasiddhi (Nepal)

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Fig. 35 Tārā

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Fig. 36 Viśvapāṇi

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Fig. 37 Ratnasambhava

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Fig. 38 Ratnasambhava (Nepal)

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Fig. 39 Vajradhātviśvarī.

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Fig. 40 Ratnapāṇi ( Nepal )

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Fig. 41 Vajrasattva ( Nepal )

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Fig. 42 Vajrasattva (Baroda Museum)

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Fig. 43 Vajrasattva Yab-yum (Nepal)

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Fig. 44 Vajrasattva Yab-yum (Side View)

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Fig. 45 Seven Mortal Buddhas with Maitreya ( Indian Museum )

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Fig. 46 Vajrāsana ( Indian Museum )

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Fig. 47 Maitreya.

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Fig. 48 Samantabhadra.

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Fig. 49 Akṣayamati

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Fig. 50 Akṣayamati (Peiping)

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Fig. 51 Kṣitigarbha

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Fig. 52 Ākāśagarbha

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Fig. 53 Gaganagañja.

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Fig. 54 Ratnapāṇi

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Fig. 55 Sāgaramati

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Fig. 56 Vajragarbha.

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Fig. 57 Avalokiteśvara

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Fig. 58 Mahāsthāmaprāpta.

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The same remarks apply to her images and paintings which are rare in India. One specimen of her images is illustrated here (Fig. 35). In Tibet¹ and China² she is widely known.

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¹ Getty : GNB, p. 127

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² Clark : TLP, II, pp. 60, 107, 171.

Viśvapāṇi

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Colour—Green Symbol—Viśvavajra

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Viśvapāṇi, as the name indicates, is the holder of the Viśvavajra or the double thunderbolt which is the symbol of the Dhyāni Buddha Amoghasiddhi, whose spiritual consort is Tārā or Tāriṇī. They all belong to what is called the Karmakula to which the green colour is assigned. Viśvapāṇi thus is green in colour and shows the Viśvavajra on a lotus. When represented, he may stand erect or sit in different sitting postures. His images are sometimes found, and one specimen is illustrated here (Fig 36). Viśvapāṇi is known in Tibet³

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³ Getty : GNB, p. 101

Cites (1)