The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sadhanamala and Other Cognate Tantric Texts of Rituals c11.s13: 13. Amitaprabha

The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sādhanamālā and Other Cognate Tāntric Texts of Rituals c11.s13

Language: English

13. Amitaprabha

The Bodhisattva Amitaprabha (Boundless Light) also spelt as Amṛtaprabha (Light of Nectar) is described thrice in the Niṣpannayogā- valī. Twice he is mentioned as of white colour and only once as red. It thus appears that Amitaprabha should belong to the family of Vairocana because of his white colour. His spiritual father will be Amitābha when he is red in colour.

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In the Durgatiparīśodhana Maṇḍala, Amṛtaprabha is described as : Amṛtaprabhaḥ śubhraḥ mukutoparyamṛtakalaśabhṛtsavyakaraḥ kaṭisthavāmamuṣṭiḥ. NSP. p. 67. “Amṛtaprabha is white in colour. In his right hand he holds the jar of nectar on the crown of his head. His clenched left hand rests on the hip.”

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In the Mañjuvajra Maṇḍala he is once again described as : Amitaprabhaḥ raktaḥ hastadvayena abhiṣekakalaśadhārī. NSP. p. 50. “Amitaprabha is of red colour and holds in his two hands the jar required in the bath of initiation.”

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In the Dharmadhātuvāgīśvara Maṇḍala a further description of the deity appears : Amitaprabhaḥ sitaḥ savyena viśvapadmaṁ vāmenābjasthakalaśaṁ bibhrāṇaḥ. NSP. p. 59. “Amitaprabha is of white colour. With the right hand he holds the double lotus and with the left hand a jar on lotus.”

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The jar of consecration is thus the recognition symbol of the Bodhisattva.

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Fig. 61 is an illustration of a Nepalese drawing of Amitaprabha.

Cites (1)

Niṣpannayogāvalī — Abhayākaragupta, Sanskrit