The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sadhanamala and Other Cognate Tantric Texts of Rituals c23.8

c23.8

Another alternative suggestion presupposes the existence of different cults according as one or another of the Dhyāni Buddhas is believed to be the principal or the Ādi-Buddha ¹. The Buddhists of Nepal even now are divided into so many different cults, some regarding Amitābha as the Ādi-Buddha, and others acknowledging either Vairocana or Akṣobhya as the Ādi-Buddha. Now though the Sādhanas prescribe the figure of the Dhyāni Buddha Vairocana for both Mārīcī and Uṣṇīṣavijayā, the followers of the Amitābha cult are at liberty to assign them to that Buddha whom they consider to be the Ādi-Buddha. Similarly, Ucchuṣma Jambhala being regarded as the offspring of Amitābha, is made to bear an image of that Dhyāni Buddha on his crown in the Sarnath figure already alluded to. It is not necessary to multiply instances. This is the only reasonable explanation it is possible to offer at the present state of our knowledge.