When you gaze at this Red Thangka of Vairocana Buddha, the crimson background blazes like the intense light of the Dharma Realm. The four-faced visage beneath the Five-Wisdom Crown radiates a "pervasive illumination" that embraces the universe’s true nature—not just a religious painting, but Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism’s ultimate expression of personifying absolute truth. In the Tibetan Buddhist system, Vairocana is neither a "deity" nor an abstract concept, but the embodiment of the Dharmakaya Buddha and the "self-nature true body of all Buddhas."
In Tibetan Buddhist doctrine, a Buddha has three bodies: the Dharmakaya (self-nature true body), Sambhogakaya (enjoyment body), and Nirmanakaya (emanation body). Vairocana Buddha is the representative of the Dharmakaya—also called "Vairocana" (Sanskrit for "pervasive radiance").
The Mahāvairocana Tantra states that Vairocana is the "Buddha-ification of universal reality"—he did not arise at a specific time or place, but "has always existed in the Dharma Realm" as the "origin and fruition of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas." Tibetan Esotericism regards him as the "fundamental total virtue": all Buddhist teachings and all enlightenment ultimately return to the "Dharmadhatu essence" that Vairocana represents.
This essence is particularly clear in the Five Dhyani Buddhas system:
- Vairocana resides at the center, representing Dharmadhatu Garbha Wisdom (the head of the Five Wisdoms, symbolizing the essence of all phenomena);
- Aksobhya (East) represents the Mirror-like Wisdom (reflecting the true nature of all phenomena);
- Ratnasambhava (South) represents the Equalizing Wisdom (dissolving discriminatory thought);
- Amitabha (West) represents the Discriminating Wisdom (perceiving sentient beings’ capacities);
- Amoghasiddhi (North) represents the All-Accomplishing Wisdom (fulfilling altruistic deeds).
Put simply, Vairocana unites "wisdom" and "principle": he is both "absolute truth itself" and "the wisdom that realizes truth." This is the core of Tibetan Buddhism’s "attaining Buddhahood in this lifetime"—the "Bodhicitta" inherent in all sentient beings is essentially Vairocana’s Dharmadhatu essence.
In Tibetan Esoteric mandalas, Vairocana has two classic forms corresponding to the "Vajra Realm" and "Womb Realm" esoteric teachings—and this Red Thangka integrates elements of both.
The Vajra Realm represents "cultivated wisdom," and Vairocana appears as a Bodhisattva, white in color, forming the Wisdom Fist Mudra (right hand grasping the left index finger, placed at the chest).
- White symbolizes "unstained wisdom";
- The Wisdom Fist Mudra signifies "crushing afflictions with wisdom";
- The Five-Wisdom Crown represents "the perfection of the Five Wisdoms."
In this form, Vairocana symbolizes "liberating sentient beings with wisdom"—wisdom as firm as a vajra, capable of shattering all ignorance.
The Womb Realm represents "inherent principle," and Vairocana appears as golden in color, forming the Dharma-Realm Mudra (hands stacked palm-up, right hand over left, placed below the navel).
- Gold symbolizes "the radiance and perfection of the Dharma Realm";
- The Dharma-Realm Mudra signifies "abiding in the true nature of the Dharma Realm";
- The Eight-Petaled Lotus Seat represents the "central platform of the Womb Realm Mandala" (symbolizing sentient beings’ inherent Bodhicitta, like a lotus waiting to bloom in the womb).
The Vairocana in this Red Thangka combines elements of both realms: the four faces correspond to "pervasive illumination in all directions," the Dharma-Realm Mudra embodies "abiding in principle," and the red form is the Tibetan artistic interpretation of "pervasive radiance"—crimson like flame, symbolizing both "purifying afflictions" and "the intense vitality of the Dharma Realm."
Every detail of this Red Thangka of Vairocana condenses Tibetan Buddhist culture:
In Tibetan Thangka art, "Red Thangkas" use mineral pigments like cinnabar and ochre, with a calm yet intense hue. Red holds three meanings here:
- It symbolizes Vairocana’s "pervasive radiance," like the sun’s flames covering all;
- It represents "purification": afflictions are like karmic fire, and Vairocana’s radiance transforms them into the flame of enlightenment;
- It signifies "vitality": the essence of the Dharma Realm is "eternal vitality," and red is the symbol of life and awakening.
The rare "four faces" in the Thangka do not represent "multiple bodies," but Vairocana’s symbol of "pervasive illumination in all directions"—his radiance and compassion cover sentient beings in all directions without distinction. Each face bears a calm, compassionate expression, signifying "equal liberation of all sentient beings."
The "gold engraving technique" (outlining lines with gold powder) on the attire showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of Tibetan art and carries religious meaning:
- Gold represents "sacredness and solemnity";
- Intricate floral patterns (like lotuses and scrollwork) symbolize "enlightenment amidst afflictions"—just as a lotus grows from mud yet remains pure.
For Tibetan believers, Vairocana is not a distant "deity," but a "mirror of one’s own nature"—through visualizing Vairocana, practitioners realize that "they inherently possess the Dharma Realm essence."
This philosophy also offers insights for modern people:
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Dissolving discriminatory thought: Vairocana’s "Equalizing Wisdom" reminds us to let go of attachment to "self" and "other";
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Abiding in the present: The "abiding in true nature" corresponding to the Dharma-Realm Mudra is the core of mindfulness—neither dwelling on the past nor anxious about the future, but abiding in the essence of the present moment;
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Altruism with wisdom: Vairocana’s "All-Accomplishing Wisdom" encourages us to help others with wisdom rather than obsession—this is the practice of "compassion."
This Red Thangka of Vairocana is both a Tibetan Buddhist art treasure and a visual expression of "Dharma Realm reality"—his four faces are "pervasive illumination," his mudra is "abiding," and his red form is "radiance."
In Tibetan Buddhist devotion, Vairocana has never "left" anyone: when you feel a moment of compassion, when you grasp a thread of truth, when you let go of a trace of obsession, what you touch is the "Dharma Realm essence" that Vairocana represents. And this Thangka is the projection of this "radiance" in the human world—intense, warm, and unextinguished.
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