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Difference between revisions of "Vairocana or Mahāvairocana mantra"

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Vairocana is the white Buddha at the centre of the Mandala. He features in Carya and Yoga class tantras. In the Shingon school he is considered to be a personification of the Dharmakāya and is usually refered to as Mahāvairocana (Dainichi Nyorai, 大日如来) - a name which comes from the Mahāvairocana Abhisaṃbodhi Tantra. Tantric discourses are traditionally said to be have been taught by Mahāvairocana rather than the historical Buddha Śakyamuni.
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[[File:Vairochana1table.gif|frameless|250px|right]]
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[[File:Vairocana.png|thumb|250px|vai ro ca na]]
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[[Vairocana]] is the white [[Buddha]] at the centre of the [[Mandala]]. He features in Carya and [[Yoga]] class [[tantras]]. In the [[Shingon]] school he is considered to be a [[personification]] of the [[Dharmakāya]] and is usually refered to as [[Mahāvairocana]] ([[Dainichi Nyorai]], 大日如来) - a name which comes from the [[Mahāvairocana Abhisaṃbodhi Tantra]]. [[Tantric]] discourses are [[traditionally]] said to be have been taught by [[Mahāvairocana]] rather than the [[historical Buddha]] [[Śakyamuni]].
  
−
The image shown is a kind of generic Vairocana depicted in bhikṣu's robes with his hands in the Dharmacakra, or Wheel turning mudra - which alludes to his teaching of the Dharma which is poetically referred to as "turning the wheel of the Dharma".
+
The image shown is a kind of generic [[Vairocana]] depicted in bhikṣu's [[robes]] with his hands in the [[Dharmacakra]], or [[Wheel]] turning [[mudra]] - which alludes to his [[teaching]] of the [[Dharma]] which is poetically referred to as "turning the [[wheel]] of the [[Dharma]]".
  
−
Shingon recognises two main forms of Mahāvairocana: in the Garbhadhatu mandala he is golden in colour, has one face and displays the dhyana mudra with a golden dharmacakra sitting in his hands; in the Vajradhatu mandala he is white in colour, has four faces and displays the Bodhyagrī mudra (Japanese: Chiken-in).Seed Syllables
+
[[Shingon]] recognises two main [[forms]] of [[Mahāvairocana]]: in the Garbhadhatu [[mandala]] he is golden in colour, has one face and displays the [[dhyana mudra]] with a golden [[dharmacakra]] sitting in his hands; in the [[Vajradhatu mandala]] he is white in colour, has four faces and displays the Bodhyagrī [[mudra]] ({{Wiki|Japanese}}: Chiken-in).
  
−
The seed syllable of vairocana is the letter a.
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'''[[mandala]] of the jinas'''
 +
{|cellpadding="7" style="text-align: left;"
 +
|-
 +
|position in [[mandala]] || center
 +
|-
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|Colour || white
 +
|-
 +
|Family || [[Tathāgata]] or [[Buddha]]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Mudra]] || wheel-turning
 +
|-
 +
|[[Wisdom]] || [[wisdom]] of the [[Dharmadhatu]]
 +
|-
 +
|Emblem || [[Dharmacakra]]
 +
|-
 +
|Consort/prajñā || Ākāśadhātvīśvarī
 +
|}
  
−
In the Shingon school a distinction is made between Mahāvairocana in the Garbhadhātu mandala and the Vajradhātu mandala, associated with the Mahāvairocana Sūtra and the Vajraśekhara Sūtra respectively. The seed syllable of the former is the simple short a, though sometimes it is elaborated as āṃḥ - the most elaborate form a can take. In the Vajradhatu mandala the seed syllable is vaṃ, also sometimes elabotared as vāṃḥ.
+
==Seed Syllables==
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Mantra
 
  
−
Vairocana sits at the centre of the Mandala of the Five Jinas. He plays a very important role in Shingon Buddhism where he is known as Mahāhavairocana. There are a number of mantras associated with Vairocana.
+
The seed syllable of [[vairocana]] is the [[letter]] a.
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Transliteration
 
  
−
oṃ vai ro ca na hūṃ
+
In the [[Shingon]] school a distinction is made between [[Mahāvairocana]] in the Garbhadhātu [[mandala]] and the [[Vajradhātu]] [[mandala]], associated with the [[Mahāvairocana Sūtra]] and the Vajraśekhara [[Sūtra]] respectively. The seed syllable of the former is the simple short a, though sometimes it is elaborated as āṃḥ - the most elaborate [[form]] a can take. In the [[Vajradhatu mandala]] the seed syllable is vaṃ, also sometimes elabotared as vāṃḥ.
  
−
oṃ vairocana hūṃ
+
===Garbhadhātu Mandala===
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Other Mantras
+
{|cellpadding="8" style="text-align: center;"
−
'Avira' Mantra
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|-
 +
|[[File:A1.png|frameless|250px|]] ||[[File:Tibetan-a1.png|frameless|250px|]] ||[[File:Amh.png|frameless|250px|]]
 +
|-
 +
| a in Siddhaṃ script ||a in [[Tibetan]] Uchen script||āṃḥ in Siddhaṃ
 +
|}
  
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In Shingon there is another important mantra which links Mahāvairocana to the six elements - the five letters here representing the material elements, and Mahāvairocana himself represents the element of consciousness. The idea is that the whole of the universe is a manifestation of Mahāvairocana - all forms of the body of Mahāvairocana; all sounds are the voice of Mahāvairocana; and all mental activity are the mind of Mahāvairocana.The Mantra of Light
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===[[Vajradhātu]] Mandala===
 +
{|cellpadding="8" style="text-align: center;"
 +
|-
 +
|[[File:Vam.png|frameless|250px|]] ||[[File:Vaamh.png|frameless|250px|]]
 +
|-
 +
| vaṃ Siddhaṃ script||vāṃḥ Siddhaṃ script
 +
|}
  
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A late Shingon mantra associated with Vairocana is known as the Mantra of Light or in Japanese as kōmyō shingon, or 光明真言. It features in the Amoghapāśakalparāja-sūtra and is often written in a circle. Below is calligraphy by Jayarava. On the right is calligraphy by Kūkai using the Chinese brush style.* Kūkai heads the mantra with vaṃ, the seed syallble of Vairocana in the Vajradhatu Mandala.Transliteration
+
==Mantra==
  
−
oṃ a mo gha vai ro
+
[[Vairocana]] sits at the centre of the [[Mandala]] of the Five Jinas. He plays a very important role in [[Shingon]] [[Buddhism]] where he is known as Mahāhavairocana. There are a number of [[mantras]] associated with [[Vairocana]].
−
ca na ma hā mu dra
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===Basic Mantra===
−
ma ṇi pa dma jvā la
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====Siddhaṃ====
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pra va rtta ya hūṃ .
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[[File:Vairocanabmantra.png|frameless|450px|]]
 +
{{clear}}
 +
====[[Tibetan]] - Uchen====
 +
[[File:Vairocana-tibetan.png|frameless|450px|]]
 +
{{clear}}
 +
====Transliteration====
  
−
oṃ amogha vairocana mahāmudra maṇipadma jvāla pravarttaya hūṃ
+
'''oṃ vai ro ca na hūṃ
  
 +
'''oṃ [[vairocana]] hūṃ
 +
 +
===Other Mantras===
 +
===='Avira' Mantra====
 +
 +
In [[Shingon]] there is another important [[mantra]] which links [[Mahāvairocana]] to the six [[elements]] - the five letters here representing the material [[elements]], and [[Mahāvairocana]] himself represents the [[element]] of [[consciousness]]. The [[idea]] is that the whole of the [[universe]] is a [[manifestation]] of [[Mahāvairocana]] - all [[forms]] of the [[body]] of [[Mahāvairocana]]; all sounds are the {{Wiki|voice}} of [[Mahāvairocana]]; and all [[mental]] [[activity]] are the [[mind]] of [[Mahāvairocana]].
 +
[[File:Avirahumkha2.png|frameless|450px|]]
 +
{{clear}}
 +
====Transliteration====
 +
 +
'''a vi ra hūṃ kha
 +
 +
====The [[Mantra]] of Light====
 +
 +
A late [[Shingon]] [[mantra]] associated with [[Vairocana]] is known as the [[Mantra]] of [[Light]] or in {{Wiki|Japanese}} as kōmyō [[shingon]], or 光明真言. It features in the Amoghapāśakalparāja-sūtra and is often written in a circle. Below is {{Wiki|calligraphy}} by Jayarava. On the right is {{Wiki|calligraphy}} by [[Kūkai]] using the {{Wiki|Chinese}} brush style.* [[Kūkai]] heads the [[mantra]] with vaṃ, the seed syallble of [[Vairocana]] in the [[Vajradhatu Mandala]].
 +
[[File:Mantra-of-light.png|frameless|450px|]]
 +
{{clear}}
 +
 +
====Transliteration====
 +
<poem>
 +
'''oṃ a mo gha vai ro
 +
'''ca na ma hā mu dra
 +
'''ma ṇi pa dma jvā la
 +
'''pra va rtta ya hūṃ .
 +
 +
'''oṃ amogha [[vairocana]] mahāmudra maṇipadma jvāla pravarttaya hūṃ
 +
</poem>
 
Kukai's version reads:
 
Kukai's version reads:
  
−
vaṃ - oṃ amogha vairocana mahāputra maṇipadma jvāla pravarttaya hūṃ
+
'''vaṃ - oṃ amogha [[vairocana]] mahāputra maṇipadma jvāla pravarttaya hūṃ
  
 +
I'm unsure about the [[reason]] for the subsitution of putra for [[mudra]].
  
 +
==Notes==
  
−
The Mantra has been translated as
+
The [[Mantra]] has been translated as
  
−
    Praise be to the flawless, all-pervasive illumination of the great mudra (the seal of the Buddha). Turn over to me the jewel, lotus, and radiant light - according to Mark Unno
+
:    Praise be to the flawless, all-pervasive [[illumination]] of the great [[mudra]] (the seal of the [[Buddha]]). Turn over to me the [[jewel]], [[lotus]], and [[radiant light]] - according to Mark Unno
−
    or
+
:    or
−
    Infallible brilliance of the great mudra! Creating the radiance of the Jewel and the Lotus - according to John Stevens  
+
:    Infallible brilliance of the great [[mudra]]! Creating the radiance of the [[Jewel]] and the [[Lotus]] - according to John Stevens  
  
 +
Literally the words, which all appear to be undeclined, translate as:
 +
oṃ unfailling [[illuminating]] great-seal jeweled-lotus blazing evolve(?) hūṃ
 +
 +
pravarttaya is unclear (turn around? creating? evolve?) and I'm not sure of the [[root]]. The dictionary has several possibilities. Pravartya = to be excited to [[activity]]. Pravṛtta = round, rotund; circulated; issued from, resulted, arisen; come back, returned; [[acting]] proceeding, etc. Mark Unno seems to derive it from parivarta (revolving, revolution) but this seems less likely to me. [[Shingon]] [[Buddhist]] International has "evolve" and given they represent the [[tradition]] I have adopted their translation.
 +
 +
<nowiki>*</nowiki> The image of Kūkai's {{Wiki|calligraphy}} is originally from a collection reproduced in five large concertina fascicles by the {{Wiki|Japanese}} [[monk]] Sō-gen in 1837 under the title of Ashara-jō. Sō-gen traced fine examples of Siddhaṃ {{Wiki|calligraphy}} and then inked in the middle, thereby creating reasonably accurate facsimilies. The Ashara-jō was republished as [[Sanskrit]] [[bījas]] and [[mantras]] in [[Japan]] edited by Raghu [[Vira]] and Lokesh Chandra ({{Wiki|New Delhi}} : International Academy of [[Indian]] Culture, 1965). It is reproduced in R.H. Van Gulik. Siddham : An Essay on the History of [[Sanskrit]] Studies in [[China]] and [[Japan]] ({{Wiki|New Delhi}}, Jayyed Press, 1981), p.183.
 +
 +
{{R}}
 +
[http://visiblemantra.org/vairocana.html visiblemantra.org]
 +
 +
[[Category:Vairocana]]
 
[[Category:Mantras]]
 
[[Category:Mantras]]
−
{{R}}
+
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]]
−
[http://www.visiblemantra.org/vairocana.html www.visiblemantra.org]
 

Latest revision as of 17:41, 16 September 2013

Vairochana1table.gif
vai ro ca na

Vairocana is the white Buddha at the centre of the Mandala. He features in Carya and Yoga class tantras. In the Shingon school he is considered to be a personification of the Dharmakāya and is usually refered to as Mahāvairocana (Dainichi Nyorai, 大日如来) - a name which comes from the Mahāvairocana Abhisaṃbodhi Tantra. Tantric discourses are traditionally said to be have been taught by Mahāvairocana rather than the historical Buddha Śakyamuni.

The image shown is a kind of generic Vairocana depicted in bhikṣu's robes with his hands in the Dharmacakra, or Wheel turning mudra - which alludes to his teaching of the Dharma which is poetically referred to as "turning the wheel of the Dharma".

Shingon recognises two main forms of Mahāvairocana: in the Garbhadhatu mandala he is golden in colour, has one face and displays the dhyana mudra with a golden dharmacakra sitting in his hands; in the Vajradhatu mandala he is white in colour, has four faces and displays the Bodhyagrī mudra (Japanese: Chiken-in).

mandala of the jinas

position in mandala center
Colour white
Family Tathāgata or Buddha
Mudra wheel-turning
Wisdom wisdom of the Dharmadhatu
Emblem Dharmacakra
Consort/prajñā Ākāśadhātvīśvarī

Seed Syllables

The seed syllable of vairocana is the letter a.

In the Shingon school a distinction is made between Mahāvairocana in the Garbhadhātu mandala and the Vajradhātu mandala, associated with the Mahāvairocana Sūtra and the Vajraśekhara Sūtra respectively. The seed syllable of the former is the simple short a, though sometimes it is elaborated as āṃḥ - the most elaborate form a can take. In the Vajradhatu mandala the seed syllable is vaṃ, also sometimes elabotared as vāṃḥ.

Garbhadhātu Mandala

A1.png Tibetan-a1.png Amh.png
a in Siddhaṃ script a in Tibetan Uchen script āṃḥ in Siddhaṃ

Vajradhātu Mandala

Vam.png Vaamh.png
vaṃ Siddhaṃ script vāṃḥ Siddhaṃ script

Mantra

Vairocana sits at the centre of the Mandala of the Five Jinas. He plays a very important role in Shingon Buddhism where he is known as Mahāhavairocana. There are a number of mantras associated with Vairocana.

Basic Mantra

Siddhaṃ

Vairocanabmantra.png

Tibetan - Uchen

Vairocana-tibetan.png

Transliteration

oṃ vai ro ca na hūṃ

oṃ vairocana hūṃ

Other Mantras

'Avira' Mantra

In Shingon there is another important mantra which links Mahāvairocana to the six elements - the five letters here representing the material elements, and Mahāvairocana himself represents the element of consciousness. The idea is that the whole of the universe is a manifestation of Mahāvairocana - all forms of the body of Mahāvairocana; all sounds are the voice of Mahāvairocana; and all mental activity are the mind of Mahāvairocana. Avirahumkha2.png

Transliteration

a vi ra hūṃ kha

The Mantra of Light

A late Shingon mantra associated with Vairocana is known as the Mantra of Light or in Japanese as kōmyō shingon, or 光明真言. It features in the Amoghapāśakalparāja-sūtra and is often written in a circle. Below is calligraphy by Jayarava. On the right is calligraphy by Kūkai using the Chinese brush style.* Kūkai heads the mantra with vaṃ, the seed syallble of Vairocana in the Vajradhatu Mandala. Mantra-of-light.png

Transliteration

oṃ a mo gha vai ro
 ca na ma hā mu dra
 ma ṇi pa dma jvā la
 pra va rtta ya hūṃ .
oṃ amogha vairocana mahāmudra maṇipadma jvāla pravarttaya hūṃ

Kukai's version reads:

vaṃ - oṃ amogha vairocana mahāputra maṇipadma jvāla pravarttaya hūṃ

I'm unsure about the reason for the subsitution of putra for mudra.

Notes

The Mantra has been translated as

Praise be to the flawless, all-pervasive illumination of the great mudra (the seal of the Buddha). Turn over to me the jewel, lotus, and radiant light - according to Mark Unno
or
Infallible brilliance of the great mudra! Creating the radiance of the Jewel and the Lotus - according to John Stevens

Literally the words, which all appear to be undeclined, translate as: oṃ unfailling illuminating great-seal jeweled-lotus blazing evolve(?) hūṃ

pravarttaya is unclear (turn around? creating? evolve?) and I'm not sure of the root. The dictionary has several possibilities. Pravartya = to be excited to activity. Pravṛtta = round, rotund; circulated; issued from, resulted, arisen; come back, returned; acting proceeding, etc. Mark Unno seems to derive it from parivarta (revolving, revolution) but this seems less likely to me. Shingon Buddhist International has "evolve" and given they represent the tradition I have adopted their translation.

* The image of Kūkai's calligraphy is originally from a collection reproduced in five large concertina fascicles by the Japanese monk Sō-gen in 1837 under the title of Ashara-jō. Sō-gen traced fine examples of Siddhaṃ calligraphy and then inked in the middle, thereby creating reasonably accurate facsimilies. The Ashara-jō was republished as Sanskrit bījas and mantras in Japan edited by Raghu Vira and Lokesh Chandra (New Delhi : International Academy of Indian Culture, 1965). It is reproduced in R.H. Van Gulik. Siddham : An Essay on the History of Sanskrit Studies in China and Japan (New Delhi, Jayyed Press, 1981), p.183.

Source

visiblemantra.org

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