as long as space endures
And for as long as living beings remain
Until then may I too abide
To dispel the misery of the world
SHANTIDEVA
BUDDHA RATNASAMBHAVA
The mandala of Buddha Ratnasambhava (who is yellow in color) is in the southern direction. The word ratna means “jewel,” and Ratnasambhava can be regarded as the wish-fulfilling jewel. He signifies Dharma transforming pride, miserliness, and avarice into the wisdom of equanimity. His identifying mudra (sacred hand gesture) is the gesture of supreme giving, with his right hand extended downward, palm outward. His left hand rests on his lap, sometimes holding a beautiful jewel. His clan is the Ratna family, so the symbol of Ratnasambhava is the jewel. He is associated with transforming a poverty mentality into a wealth mentality. The element of Buddha Ratnasambhava is earth, and his chakra is the navel chakra.
He is best visualized as continuously distributing spiritual wealth and jewels over the universe, with no thought of ever running out, for it seems he has a bottomless reservoir of spiritual riches. His Pure Land flows with abundance and he is “wealthy beyond greed.” So Ratnasambhava practice makes your own mind an endless source of riches. The Wealth buddhas (known as Jambhalas, see Chapter 8) belong to Ratnasambhava’s family and, reflecting the generous mentality of this buddha clan, are viewed as endless benefactors.
Ratnasambhava’s blessings give us the potential to overcome pride and miserliness, thereby developing inner calm.
Here is the visualization of Buddha Ratnasambhava: From the jewels of Ratnasambhava, everyone receives what they want, what they need; including wealth, teachers, and teachings. A transcendental wisdom of equanimity arises, causing them to become enlightened like Buddha Ratnasambhava. Nectar beams are visualized emitting from Ratnasambhava, purifying the disease of miserliness, which does not allow you to enjoy yourself even though you are rich. This is a painful, unhappy mind; now you can achieve so much happiness up to enlightenment by using your wealth to create merit.
BUDDHA AMITABHA
The mandala of Buddha Amitabha (who is red in color) is in the western direction. Amitabha is the Buddha of Infinite Light, and he represents the Dharma transforming the afflictions of lust and desire into discriminating wisdom. He is thus the buddha who purifies the delusion of attachment.
Generally, like all of the five tathagatas, Amitabha sits in the lotus posture, with his hands in the mudra of meditative contemplation; sometimes he holds a begging bowl. He is lord of the Lotus family, and his symbol is the red lotus of compassion. The lotus is a special Buddhist symbol, signifying gentleness and purity, and buddhas are always depicted sitting on a lotus flower. Amitabha is probably the best known Dhyani buddha.
The paradise of Amitabha is known as the western paradise, or Sukhavati (in Tibetan, Dewachen, meaning Great Happiness Pure Land), and it is believed that in accordance with a vow that he made prior to attaining enlightenment, you have only to recite Amitabha’s name to be reborn into his realm, thereby attaining enlightenment through what is described as “the light of Amitabha’s great compassion.” His element is the all-consuming fire that has the power to burn all of our delusions, and especially the terrible delusion of attachment. His chakra is the throat chakra.
Amitabha Buddha is widely worshipped and revered in China, Korea, and Japan where Pure Land Buddhism is practiced. Devotees believe that reciting his mantra will cause their rebirth in the western paradise, where conditions are conducive to the eventual attainment of enlightenment. Here they take teachings from Amitabha himself, and from all the other buddhas who reside in the same paradise land. Two beloved goddesses of Amitabha’s Pure Land family are the goddess of mercy, Kuan Yin – who is the Chinese form of the Compassion Buddha, Chenrezig (see Chapter 5) – and Green Tara (see Chapter 7) who is said to have been born from the tears of the Compassion Buddha. There are detailed sadhanas (meditative practices) that are believed by practitioners of Pure Land Buddhism to enable them to visualize the western paradise so vividly that it becomes real.
Amitabha’s blessings develop within us the potential for compassion, which arises from overcoming the delusion of attachment.
Here is the visualization of Buddha Amitabha: From Amitabha, nectar beams are emitted, purifying all attachment and sufferings that come from desire, such as relationship problems, craving, addiction, a dissatisfied mind, fear, quarrels, wars and so forth. Everyone actualizes renunciation and discerning wisdom, thus becoming Buddha Amitabha.
BUDDHA AMOGHASIDDHI
The mandala of Buddha Amoghasiddhi (who is green in color) is in the northern direction. This is the tathagata who symbolizes unobstructed success. He is the buddha of the world of politicians, kings, and ambitious people – those who are perpetually jealous of others, who are competitive to a fault, and whose sole purpose in life is to wind up getting more: more wealth, more success, and more power. When you need to operate in this kind of unscrupulous world, call on this vivid green buddha.
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