The five Dhyani Buddhas find a mention in most of the Tantric systems and are said to represent various physical and mental aspects. Some of the most common explanations of these five Dhyani Buddhas have been listed below.
However, it must be noted that with the existence of different deities, the meanings of the tantras may differ accordingly.
Mental symbolism of the five Dhyani Buddhas |
Deity |
Delusion |
Enlightened Mind |
Vairochana |
ignorance, delusion |
All-encompassing Dharmadatu Wisdom |
Akshobhya |
anger, hatred |
Mirror-like Wisdom |
Ratnasambhava |
pride, miserliness |
Wisdom of Equality |
Amitabha |
desire, lust |
Discriminating Wisdom |
Amogasiddhi |
jealousy, fear |
All-accomplishing Wisdom |
Physical symbolism of the five Dhyani Buddhas |
Deity |
Element |
Sense |
Medical/physical |
Organ |
Vairochana |
space |
sight |
energy channels |
heart |
Akshobhya |
water |
sound |
blood flow |
kidneys |
Ratnasambhava |
earth |
smell |
flesh |
spleen |
Amitabha |
fire |
taste |
body heat |
liver |
Amogasiddhi |
air |
touch |
inner winds |
lungs |
Names and relation to other Buddhas & Bodhisattvas |
Deity (Sanskrit) |
English name |
Consort |
Bodhisattva |
Wheel-turning
Buddhas |
Vairochana |
Illuminating |
White Tara
(Vajradhatvisvari) |
Samantabhadra |
Krakucchanda |
Akshobhya |
Unshakable |
Locana |
Vajrapani |
Kanakamuni |
Ratnasambhava |
Jewel-born |
Mamaki |
Ratnapani |
Kashyapa |
Amitabha |
Infinite Light |
Pandara |
Avalokiteshvara |
Shakyamuni |
Amogasiddhi |
Conqueror |
Green Tara |
Vishvapani |
Maitreya |
Imagery symbolism of the five Dhyani Buddhas |
Deity |
Color |
Direction |
Gesture (mudra) |
|
Vairochana |
white |
Center |
Dharmachakra
Turning the
Dharma-wheel
(teaching) |
|
Akshobhya |
blue |
East |
Bhumisparsa
Earth-touching |
|
Ratnasambhava |
yellow |
South |
Varada
Bestowing, giving |
|
Amitabha |
red |
West |
Dhyana
Meditation |
 |
Amogasiddhi |
green |
North |
Abhaya
Fearlessness |
|
More symbolism of the five Dhyani Buddhas |
Deity |
Family symbol
and family |
Syllable |
Vehicle |
Aggregate |
Vairochana |
Wheel
Tathagata |
OM |
dragon |
form
(Skt. rupa) |
Akshobhya |
Vajra
vajra |
HUM |
elephant |
consciousness
(Skt. vijnana) |
Ratnasambhava |
Jewel
ratna |
TRAM |
horse or lion |
sensation
(Skt. vendana) |
Amitabha |
Lotus
padma |
HRIH |
peacock |
perception
(Skt. sanjna) |
Amogasiddhi |
Double
vajra
karma |
AH |
Garuda |
impulses
(Skt. Samskara) |
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