Fun Facts About Buddhism

In the various schools of Mahayana (the 'greaterAmoghashiddhi is the fifth Dhyani Buddha. He sits in the
vehicle') Buddhism (which includes Tibetan Buddism,full-lotus posture, left leg over right, with his left hand
Chinese Ch'an and Japanese Zen, etc.) most of theopen, palm facing upwards, on his lap, and the right in
Buddhas mentioned below are recognised. Theravadathe Abhaya Mudra. He represents the cosmic element
(or Hinayana, 'the lesser vehicle' ~ the Buddhism of Sriof Samskara (conformation). His colour is green and
Lanka, Thailand and Burma) Buddhism just recogniseshis symbol is the viswa vajra or double thunderbolt. He
Sakyamuni (and perhaps Maitreya and a few others)is the embodiment of the rainy season. His vehicle is
and so Amoghashiddi will be referred to as SakyamuniGaruda.
(or Shakyamuni) with hands in Abhaya Mudra, etc.,(4) Ratna Sambhav Buddha
rather than Amoghashiddhi. Buddhism in Nepal has aRatna Sambhav is regarded as the third Dhyani
tendency to mix and recognise both Buddhas andBuddha. His symbol is the jewel and his hands are in
Hindu deities.the Varada (gift-bestowing) Mudra. He represents the
Who are the 5 Dhyani Buddhas?cosmic element of Vedana (sensation). His colour is
The 5 Dhyani Buddhas are celestial Buddhas visualisedyellow. His female counterpart is Mamaki.
during meditation, and considered to be great healers(5) Vairochana Buddha (Jap. Dainichi Nyorai)
of the mind and soul. They are not historical figures, likeVairochana is regarded as the first Dhyani Buddha by
Gautama (Sakyamuni) Buddha, but transcendentthe Nepalese Buddhists. He represents the cosmic
beings who symbolise universal divine principles orelement of Rupa (form). His colour is white, and his
forces.two hands are held against the chest with the tips of
(1) Akshobhyathe thumbs and forefingers of each hand united, in the
Akshobhya is regarded as the second Dhyani BuddhaDharmachakra (preaching) Mudra. His female
by the Nepalese Buddhists. He originates from the bluecounterpart is Vajradhatviswari.
syllable HUM. He sits in the Vajraparyanka pose andOTHER BUDDHAS
his right hand is in the Bhumisparsha (earth-touching)What is Bhaisajya Buddha? (Jap. Yakushi Nyorai)
Mudra, calling the earth for witness (Sakyamuni usuallyBhaisajya (known as the medicine or healing Buddha)
adopts the same pose). He represents the primordialis said to dispense spiritual medicine when properly
cosmic element of Vijnana (consciousness). His leftworshipped. He wears a monastic robe and is seated
hand rests in his lap, while the right rests on his rightwith legs crossed. His left hand, lying on his lap in the
knee with the tips of the middle fingers touching themeditation mudra, usually holds a medicine bowl, while
ground with the palm facing inwards. His vehicle is athe right hand, in the charity mudra, holds either a
pair of elephants, and his symbol is the vajrabranch with fruit, or the fruit alone, of myrobalam, a
(thunderbolt). His female counterpart is Locana.medicinal plant found in India.
(2) Amitabha Buddha (Jap. Amida)What is Hotei? (also known as Budai, or The Laughing
Amitabha is the most ancient buddha among theBuddha)
Dhyani Buddhas. He is said to reside in the SukhabatiThe Japanese name for the Chinese Zen Master
heaven in peaceful meditation. He is red, originatingPoe-Tai Hoshang (10th to 11th Century). Fat, grotesque
from the red syllable HRIH. He represents the cosmicand lovable, he symbolises the state of detached bliss
element of Sanjna (name). His vehicle is a peacock. Hewhich belongs to those who realise their Buddha
sits in the full-lotus posture, right leg over left, with hisNature, or the Buddha within. He is loved the world
palms folded face up, the right on top of the left, on hisover and worshipped by many as the God of Good
lap in Samadhi Mudra. His female counterpart isFortune (he is also regarded by some as a form of
Pandara. Amitabha denotes 'boundless light' or theMaitreya).
incomprehensible.What is Sakyamuni Buddha?
(3) Amoghashiddhi Buddha