Difference between revisions of "Most excellent first Buddha"
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<poem> | <poem> | ||
| − | (T.) ''mc'og-gi dan-pohi sans-rgyas'' (lit. [[most excellent | + | (T.) ''[[mc'og-gi dan-pohi sans-rgyas]]'' (lit. [[most excellent first Buddha]]); or ''[[dus-kyi hkor-hhi mts'an]]'' (lit. the {{Wiki|saint}} of (the [[religion]] of the) [[wheel]] of [[Time]]). |
| − | (M.) ''anghan burhan'' (the beginning [[deity]]). | + | (M.) ''[[anghan burhan]]'' (the beginning [[deity]]). |
| − | In the [[Guna | + | In the [[Guna Karanda Vyuha]] it is written: |
| − | 'When [[nothing]] else was, Sambhu was: that is the Self-Existent (svayambhu): and as he was before all, he is also called [[Adi-Buddha]].' 1 | + | 'When [[nothing]] else was, [[Sambhu]] was: that is the [[Self-Existent]] ([[svayambhu]]): and as he was before all, he is also called [[Adi-Buddha]].' 1 |
| − | The first system of [[Adi-Buddha]] was set up in [[Nepal]] 2 by a theistic school called Aisvarika, but was never generally adopted in [[Nepal]] or [[Tibet]], and had practically no followers in [[China]] and [[Japan]]. 3 | + | The first system of [[Adi-Buddha]] was set up in [[Nepal]] 2 by a {{Wiki|theistic}} school called [[Aisvarika]], but was never generally adopted in [[Nepal]] or [[Tibet]], and had practically no followers in [[China]] and [[Japan]]. 3 |
| − | The Nepalese school supposed an [[Adi-Buddha]] [[infinite]], [[omniscient]], self-existing, without beginning and without end, the source and originator of all things, who by [[virtue]] of five sorts of [[wisdom]] ([[jnana]]) and by the exercise of five [[meditations]] ([[dhyana]]) evolved five Dhyani-Buddhas or [[Celestial]] Jinas called Anupapadaka, or 'without parents'. | + | The {{Wiki|Nepalese}} school supposed an [[Adi-Buddha]] [[infinite]], [[omniscient]], self-existing, without beginning and without end, the source and originator of all things, who by [[virtue]] of five sorts of [[wisdom]] ([[jnana]]) and by the exercise of five [[meditations]] ([[dhyana]]) evolved five [[Dhyani-Buddhas]] or [[Celestial]] [[Jinas]] called [[Anupapadaka]], or '[[without parents]]'. |
| − | When all was perfect [[void]] (maha-Sunyata) 4 the {{Wiki|mystic}} syllable aum 5 became [[manifest]], from which at his own will the [[Adi-Buddha]] was produced. At the creation of the [[world]] he revealed himself in the [[form]] of a flame which issued from a | + | When all was perfect [[void]] ([[maha-Sunyata]]) 4 the {{Wiki|mystic}} syllable [[aum]] 5 became [[manifest]], from which at his own will the [[Adi-Buddha]] was produced. At the creation of the [[world]] he revealed himself in the [[form]] of a flame which issued from a [[lotus flower]], and in [[Nepal]] the [[Adi-Buddha]] is always represented by this [[symbol]]. 6 |
All things, according to Hodgson, were [[thought]] to be types of the [[Adi-Buddha]], and yet he had no type. In other words, he was believed to be in the [[form]] of all things and yet to be [[formless]], to be the | All things, according to Hodgson, were [[thought]] to be types of the [[Adi-Buddha]], and yet he had no type. In other words, he was believed to be in the [[form]] of all things and yet to be [[formless]], to be the | ||
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'one eternally [[existing]] [[essence]] from which all things are mere [[emanations]]' ({{Wiki|Monier Williams}}). | 'one eternally [[existing]] [[essence]] from which all things are mere [[emanations]]' ({{Wiki|Monier Williams}}). | ||
| − | According to the system, [[Adi-Buddha]] was supposed to dwell in the Agnishtha Bhuvana (the highest of the thirteen 7 Bhuvana, or [[celestial]] | + | According to the system, [[Adi-Buddha]] was supposed to dwell in the [[Agnishtha Bhuvana]] (the [[highest]] of the thirteen 7 [[Bhuvana]], or [[celestial mansions]]), quiescent and removed from all direct {{Wiki|communication}} with the [[world]] which he had [[caused]] to be created by the [[Dhyani-Bodhisattva]], through the {{Wiki|medium}} of the [[Dhyani-Buddha]]. |
| − | [Page 3] It was believed that neither the [[Adi-Buddha]] nor the Dhyani-Buddha ever descended to [[earth]], but left the creation and [[direction]] of the world's affairs to the active author of creation, the Dhyani-Bodhisattva, and that as they were absorbed in [[perpetual]] [[contemplation]], [[prayers]] were not to be addressed to them. | + | [Page 3] It was believed that neither the [[Adi-Buddha]] nor the [[Dhyani-Buddha]] ever descended to [[earth]], but left the creation and [[direction]] of the world's affairs to the active author of creation, the [[Dhyani-Bodhisattva]], and that as they were absorbed in [[perpetual]] [[contemplation]], [[prayers]] were not to be addressed to them. |
| − | Other sects in [[Nepal]], besides the Aisvarika, set up an [[Adi-Buddha]], the most important [[being]] the Svabhavika, which afterwards became the most popular [[Buddhist]] sect in [[China]]. | + | Other sects in [[Nepal]], besides the [[Aisvarika]], set up an [[Adi-Buddha]], the most important [[being]] the [[Svabhavika]], which afterwards became the most popular [[Buddhist]] sect in [[China]]. |
| − | Svayambhu, or [[Adi-Buddha]], was called {{Wiki|Isvara}} by the Aisvarika, and [[Svabhava]] by the Svabhavika; but he was also given such special names as [[Vairocana]], [[Vajrapani]], [[Vajradhara]], and [[Vajrasattva]]. In the Namasangiti (compiled before the tenth century a.d.) [[Manjusri]], [[god]] of [[Transcendent | + | [[Svayambhu]], or [[Adi-Buddha]], was called {{Wiki|Isvara}} by the [[Aisvarika]], and [[Svabhava]] by the [[Svabhavika]]; but he was also given such special names as [[Vairocana]], [[Vajrapani]], [[Vajradhara]], and [[Vajrasattva]]. In the [[Namasangiti]] (compiled before the tenth century a.d.) [[Manjusri]], [[god]] of [[Transcendent Wisdom]], is referred to as [[Adi-Buddha]]. |
| − | The [[Adi-Buddha]] is always represented as a 'crowned' [[Buddha]], that is to say, that although he is a [[Buddha]], he wears the five-leaved crown as well as the other [[traditional]] ornaments of a Dhyani-Bodhisattva, and is dressed in princely garments. His [[consort]] is Adi-Dharma (Adi-Prajna). | + | The [[Adi-Buddha]] is always represented as a 'crowned' [[Buddha]], that is to say, that although he is a [[Buddha]], he wears the five-leaved {{Wiki|crown}} as well as the other [[traditional]] ornaments of a [[Dhyani-Bodhisattva]], and is dressed in princely garments. His [[consort]] is [[Adi-Dharma]] ([[Adi-Prajna]]). |
| − | In [[Japan]], although the term '[[Adi-Buddha]]' is not known, the Dhyani-Buddhas, [[Amitabha]] and [[Vairocana]], are both looked upon as Supreme. They are not believed, however, to have evolved the five Dhyani-Buddhas. The [[Amida]] sects claim that [[Vairocana]] and the other three Dhyani-Buddhas are [[manifestations]] of [[Amitabha]], while the Shin-gon sect claims that [[Amida]] and the other three Dhyani-Buddhas are [[manifestations]] of [[Vairocana]]. They are never worshipped in company with their sakti 8 while in [[Nepal]] and [[Tibet]] the [[Adi-Buddha]] is frequently represented with his {{Wiki|female}} [[energy]], in which case he is called [[Yogambara]], 9 and the sakti, Jnanesvari. | + | In [[Japan]], although the term '[[Adi-Buddha]]' is not known, the [[Dhyani-Buddhas]], [[Amitabha]] and [[Vairocana]], are both looked upon as [[Supreme]]. They are not believed, however, to have evolved the five [[Dhyani-Buddhas]]. The [[Amida]] sects claim that [[Vairocana]] and the other three [[Dhyani-Buddhas]] are [[manifestations]] of [[Amitabha]], while the [[Shin-gon]] sect claims that [[Amida]] and the other three [[Dhyani-Buddhas]] are [[manifestations]] of [[Vairocana]]. They are never worshipped in company with their [[sakti]] 8 while in [[Nepal]] and [[Tibet]] the [[Adi-Buddha]] is frequently represented with his {{Wiki|female}} [[energy]], in which case he is called [[Yogambara]], 9 and the [[sakti]], [[Jnanesvari]]. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
Revision as of 20:33, 20 September 2013
(T.) mc'og-gi dan-pohi sans-rgyas (lit. most excellent first Buddha); or dus-kyi hkor-hhi mts'an (lit. the saint of (the religion of the) wheel of Time).
(M.) anghan burhan (the beginning deity).
In the Guna Karanda Vyuha it is written:
'When nothing else was, Sambhu was: that is the Self-Existent (svayambhu): and as he was before all, he is also called Adi-Buddha.' 1
The first system of Adi-Buddha was set up in Nepal 2 by a theistic school called Aisvarika, but was never generally adopted in Nepal or Tibet, and had practically no followers in China and Japan. 3
The Nepalese school supposed an Adi-Buddha infinite, omniscient, self-existing, without beginning and without end, the source and originator of all things, who by virtue of five sorts of wisdom (jnana) and by the exercise of five meditations (dhyana) evolved five Dhyani-Buddhas or Celestial Jinas called Anupapadaka, or 'without parents'.
When all was perfect void (maha-Sunyata) 4 the mystic syllable aum 5 became manifest, from which at his own will the Adi-Buddha was produced. At the creation of the world he revealed himself in the form of a flame which issued from a lotus flower, and in Nepal the Adi-Buddha is always represented by this symbol. 6
All things, according to Hodgson, were thought to be types of the Adi-Buddha, and yet he had no type. In other words, he was believed to be in the form of all things and yet to be formless, to be the
'one eternally existing essence from which all things are mere emanations' (Monier Williams).
According to the system, Adi-Buddha was supposed to dwell in the Agnishtha Bhuvana (the highest of the thirteen 7 Bhuvana, or celestial mansions), quiescent and removed from all direct communication with the world which he had caused to be created by the Dhyani-Bodhisattva, through the medium of the Dhyani-Buddha.
[Page 3] It was believed that neither the Adi-Buddha nor the Dhyani-Buddha ever descended to earth, but left the creation and direction of the world's affairs to the active author of creation, the Dhyani-Bodhisattva, and that as they were absorbed in perpetual contemplation, prayers were not to be addressed to them.
Other sects in Nepal, besides the Aisvarika, set up an Adi-Buddha, the most important being the Svabhavika, which afterwards became the most popular Buddhist sect in China.
Svayambhu, or Adi-Buddha, was called Isvara by the Aisvarika, and Svabhava by the Svabhavika; but he was also given such special names as Vairocana, Vajrapani, Vajradhara, and Vajrasattva. In the Namasangiti (compiled before the tenth century a.d.) Manjusri, god of Transcendent Wisdom, is referred to as Adi-Buddha.
The Adi-Buddha is always represented as a 'crowned' Buddha, that is to say, that although he is a Buddha, he wears the five-leaved crown as well as the other traditional ornaments of a Dhyani-Bodhisattva, and is dressed in princely garments. His consort is Adi-Dharma (Adi-Prajna).
In Japan, although the term 'Adi-Buddha' is not known, the Dhyani-Buddhas, Amitabha and Vairocana, are both looked upon as Supreme. They are not believed, however, to have evolved the five Dhyani-Buddhas. The Amida sects claim that Vairocana and the other three Dhyani-Buddhas are manifestations of Amitabha, while the Shin-gon sect claims that Amida and the other three Dhyani-Buddhas are manifestations of Vairocana. They are never worshipped in company with their sakti 8 while in Nepal and Tibet the Adi-Buddha is frequently represented with his female energy, in which case he is called Yogambara, 9 and the sakti, Jnanesvari.
