20
Jul
2020
Buddha of luminous Light – Sambhogakaya
Sambhogakaya refers to the luminous form of clear light. The Buddhist practitioner attains upon reaching the highest dimensions of practice.
According to tradition, those skilled in meditation, such as advanced Tibetan lamas and yogis, as well as other highly realized Buddhists, may gain access to the Sambhogakaya and receive direct transmission of doctrine.
Table of Contents
Life of Sambhogakaya Buddha
In this section, we are going to learn about the life of Sambhogakaya, after that, the short etymological description of the word Sambhogakaya itself.
The Sambhogakaya is a “subtle body of limitless form”. Both “celestial” Buddhas such as Bhaisajyaguru and Amitabha as well as advanced bodhisattvas such as Avalokitesvara and Manjusri can appear in an enjoyment-body.
Etymology of Sambhogakaya
Sambhogakaya is known as longs spyod rdzog pa’i sku in Tibet.
Earlier, we learned about the life of Sambhogakaya, Now, we are going to learn about the iconography of Amitayus Buddha- Sambhogakaya.
Iconography of Amitayus Buddha- Sambhogakaya
In the iconography of Amitayus buddha- Sambhogakaya, we are going to learn about his body posture, hand and leg gesture, and different representations of Sambhogakaya in thangka and statue.
Posture of Sambhogakaya
Sambhogakaya is the buddha of long life. Sambhogakaya is red in color with one face and two hands.
The two hands of Sambhogakaya are normally placed in the mudra of meditation. The two hands of Sambhogakaya are holding a golden vase of long-life nectar. Amitayus buddha – Sambhogakaya is adorned with a crown, gold and jewel ornaments and variously colored silks.
Amitayus buddha – Sambhogakaya sits in vajra posture on a moon disc and lotus blossom.
Earlier, we learned about the life of Sambhogakaya and the iconography of Amitayus Buddha- Sambhogakaya. Now, we are going to learn about depicting Amitayus Buddha- Sambhogakaya thangka.
Depicting Amitayus Buddha- Sambhogakaya thangka
The thangka of Sambhogakaya is from Tibet. The thangka of Sambhogakaya is made between 1800 to 1899 AD. Sambhogakaya is from Sakya and Buddhist lineages. The size of the painting is 27.94×29.85cm. Ground mineral pigment on wood and fine gold is used to color this painting. Presently, this thangka is on the Rubin museum of art.
By depicting this thangka, we are going to learn about the presentation of Sambhogakaya with different deities such as Shakyamuni Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and Vaishravana, etc.
Shakyamuni Buddha
Shakyamuni Buddha is at the top left of the thangka. Shakyamuni Buddha is golden in color. Shakyamuni Buddha is appearing in the attire of a monk and holding a black begging bowl.
Maitreya Buddha
Maitreya Buddha is at the right of the thangka. Maitreya Buddha is the future buddha performing a mudra (gesture) at the heart. Maitreya Buddha is regarded as a future Buddha of this world in Buddhist eschatology.
Amitabha Buddha
Amitabha Buddha is at the bottom left of the thangka. Amitabha Buddha is red in color. Amitabha Buddha is with the two hands in the posture of meditation. Amitabha is holding a begging bowl.
Amitabha Buddha is also known as Amida or Amitayus. Amitabha Buddha is a celestial buddha according to the scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism. Amitabha is the principal buddha in the Pure Land Buddhism branch of East Asian Buddhism.
Vaishravana
Vaishravana is at the right of the thangka. Vaishravana is the wealth deity and worldly guardian king. Vaishravana is yellow in color.
Vaishnava is holding a victory banner in the right hand and a mongoose on the left. Vaishravana is riding on the back of a lion.
Earlier, we learned about the life of Sambhogakaya, the iconography of Amitayus Buddha- Sambhogakaya, and depicting Amitayus Buddha- Sambhogakaya thangka. Now, we are going to learn about the lineage teacher of Sambhogakaya.
Lineages of Sambhogakaya
In the lineages of Sambhogakaya, we are going to learn about the lineages of Sambhogakaya. The list of lineages of Sambhogakaya is:
- Amitayus
- Acharya Garbha
- Jetari
- Acharya Bodhi Bhadra
- Acharya Samadhi Bhadra
- Vajrasana the greater and younger
- Bari Lotsawa Rinchen Drag, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (1092-1158), etc.
Earlier, we learned about the life of Sambhogakaya, the iconography of Amitayus Buddha- Sambhogakaya, depicting Amitayus Buddha- Sambhogakaya thangka, and the lineage teacher of Sambhogakaya. Now, we are going to learn about the presentation of Sambhogakaya with yogini Siddharajnyi thangka.
Sambhogakaya with yogini Siddharajnyi Thangka
The thangka of Sambhogakaya with yogini Siddharajnyi is from Tibet. The thangka of Sambhogakaya yogini Siddharajnyi is made between 1800 to 1899 AD. Sambhogakaya yogini Siddharajnyi is from Kagyu and Buddhist lineages. The base of the painting is ground mineral pigment on cotton.
By depicting this thangka, we are going to learn about the presentation of Sambhogakaya with Yogi and Milarepa.
yogini Siddharajnyi is at the top center of the thangka yogini Siddharajnyi is the Indian source teacher for the special tradition of Amitayus in the Kagyu Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Yogi
Yogi is at the upper left side of the thangka. Yogi is with long hair, holding a skullcup in the right hand and performing a gesture of blessing with the left. It is possible that this is a depiction of Rechungpa.
Milarepa is at the top right of the thangka Milarepa is the famous poet yogi of Tibet.
From this article. we learned about the life of Sambhogakaya, the iconography of Amitayus Buddha- Sambhogakaya. We also depicting Amitayus Buddha- Sambhogakaya thangka, the lineage teacher of Sambhogakaya, and the representation of Sambhogakaya with yogini Siddharajnyi thangka.
Amitabha Buddha Antique Thangka
Amitabha Buddha Antique Thangka is handpainted in Kathmandu Nepal. Amitabha Buddha is also called Amitayus Buddha.
