Symbolism of the five Dhyani Buddhas

The five Dhyani Buddhas are mentioned in most of the tantric systems and represent various physical and mental aspects. Here are given only some of the most common explanations and representations of these so-called 'Heads of the five Buddha-families'.

It should be noted though that many different forms of each deity exist, and different tantras can have slightly different explanations (for example, in the Kalachakra tantra, six Dhyani-Buddhas are mentioned, and most have different colors and shapes).

The five Dhyani-Buddhas are also often found on the crown on the head of tantric Buddhas, like this:

Imagery symbolism of the five Dhyani Buddhas
Deity	Color	Direction	Gesture (mudra)
Vairochana	white	Center	Dharmachakra Turning the Dharma-wheel (teaching)
Akshobhya	blue	East	Bhumisparsa Earth-touching
Ratnasambhava	yellow	South	Varada Bestowing, giving
Amitabha	red	West	Dhyana Meditation
Amogasiddhi	green	North	Abhaya Fearlessness

More symbolism of the five Dhyani Buddhas
Deity	Family symbol and family	Syllable	Vehicle	Aggregate
Vairochana	Wheel Tathagata	OM	dragon	form (Skt. rupa)
Akshobhya	Vajra vajra	HUM	elephant	consciousness (Skt. vijnana)
Ratnasambhava	Jewel ratna	TRAM	horse or lion	sensation (Skt. vendana)
Amitabha	Lotus padma	HRIH	peacock	perception (Skt. sanjna)
Amogasiddhi	Double vajra karma	AH	Garuda	impulses (Skt. Samskara)

See also:

http://www.buddhanature.com/
http://www.kheper.net/topics/Buddhism/dhyanibuddhas.html
http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/dhyanibuddhas

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