Zen in Ten: The Great Sun Buddha
Fun Facts about Dainichi Nyorai aka Mahavairocana
“Dainichi Nyorai is the Cosmic Buddha. In Sanskrit, Dainichi’s name is Mahavairocana Buddha, meaning Great Sun Buddha. This is another way to say Cosmic Buddha, as this buddha represents the center of the cosmos that everything revolves around.”1
“Dainichi 大日 = Lit. "Great Sun”
Represents Center or Zenith.
Cosmic, Great, All-Encompassing Buddha.
Life Force Who Illuminates the Universe.
Supreme Deity of Japan’s Esoteric (Tantric) Sects.
Dainichi’s Messengers are the Wrathful Myō-ō.
Identified with Birushana Buddha and Shinto’s Sun Goddess” 2“Scholars tell us that Vairocana made his first literary appearance in the Mahayana Brahmajala (Brahma Net) Sutra. The Brahmajala is thought to have been composed in the early 5th century CE, possibly in China. In this text, Vairocana—in Sanskrit, "one who comes from the sun"—is sitting on a lion's throne and emanating radiant light as he addresses an assembly of buddhas.”3
“Vairocana also makes a significant early appearance in the Avatamsaka (Flower Garland) Sutra. The Avatamsaka is a large text that is thought to be the work of several authors. The earliest section was completed in the 5th century, but other sections of the Avatamsaka possibly were added as late as the 8th century.
The Avatamsaka presents all phenomena as perfectly interpenetrating. Vairocana is presented as the ground of being itself and the matrix from which all phenomena emerge. The historical Buddha also is explained as an emanation of Vairocana.”4
“Sometimes Dainichi appears in iconography with other buddhas as adorning the mandala. Other times Dainichi is depicted as a king with a crown and the adornments more commonly associated with a bodhisattva [as depicted in Rev. Seigaku’s illustration below.]”5
“Dainichi’s characteristic hand gesture in Japan (although not always) is the Mudra of Six Elements (Jp. = Chiken-in 智拳印)—also called the Knowledge Fist Mudra. In this mudra, the index finger of the left hand is clasped by the five fingers of the right. This mudra symbolizes the unity of the five worldly elements—earth, water, fire, air/wind, and space/void—with spiritual consciousness.”6
“As early as the Heian Period (794 -1192 AD), devotees of Esoteric Buddhism in Japan worshipped Dainichi as the Central Buddha of the Universe, the Cosmic Buddha, the supreme deity of Esoteric Buddhism in Japan. But, prior to the intro of Esoteric Buddhism to Japan in the early 9th century, Dainichi was known as Birushana 昆盧遮那 (transliterated from Sanskrit ‘Vairocana’) or as Makabirushana 摩訶昆盧遮那 (transliterated from Sanskrit ‘Mahavairocana’).”7
“Dainichi is also one of the 13 Deities 十三仏 (Jūsanbutsu) of Japan’s Shingon Sect. In this role, Dainichi presides over the memorial service held on the 12th-year anniversary following one's death. Images of Dainichi in Japan are also often surrounded by the Myō-ō, multi-armed and multi-headed protectors who represent Dainichi's wrath against evil and serve as Dainichi’s messengers.”8
“Kukai (774-835), founder of the esoteric school of Shingon in Japan, taught that Vairocana not only emanated buddhas from his own being; he emanated all of reality from his own being. Kukai taught that this meant nature itself is an expression of Vairocana's teaching in the world.”9
“In 2001, two large standing stone buddhas in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, were destroyed by the Taliban. The larger of the two, nearly 175 feet tall, represented Vairocana, and the smaller one (120 feet) represented Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha.”10
Amato, Seigaku. The Completed Illustrated Guide to Zen. Wisdom Publications, Somerville, MA, 2021.
Schumacher, Mark. https://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/dainichi.shtml
O'Brien, Barbara. "Vairocana Buddha." Learn Religions, Aug. 27, 2020, learnreligions.com/vairocana-buddha-450134.
Ibid.
Amato, Seigaku.
Schumacher, Mark.
Ibid.
Ibid.
O'Brien, Barbara. "Vairocana Buddha." Learn Religions, Aug. 27, 2020, learnreligions.com/vairocana-buddha-450134.
Ibid.