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| - from the Taeger-Collection
(fire-golded bronze/Nepal,1990) - |
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| some explanations |
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Buddha.Amitayus.is
the main bodhisattva form-emanation of the fire-element, which is symbolized
by the Buddha Amithaba and the according deities, called the lotos-family.
In most mandalas the fire-element has the color red, is associated with
the western region of the universe and has the lotos or nectar-vase as
it's symbol. The lotos stands for pure intentions of all activities, while
the nectar vase, filled with the subtle life-energy (nectar) demonstrates
the immense power of this element. Because of the life extending energy
and the possibility to gain rebirth on a lotos flower in one of his beautiful
western paradises, he is the most popular Buddha not just in Tibet but
also in China and Japan. There are hundreds of traditions, cults and sects
centered around Amithaba/Amitayus. Some traditions (basically in Japan)
associate Amithaba with the sun and make special ceremonies at sunrise
and sundawn. Among his many peaceful and wrathful deity aspects some highly
popular ones are Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara) with the famous mantra OM
MANI PADME HUNG, White Tara with the mantra OM TARE TUTARE TURE SVAHA and
the Red Dakini. Both the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama are seen as emanations
of Amithaba. The Dalai Lama as a form-emanation of Chenrezig and the Panchen
Lama as a form-emanation of Amithaba/Amitayus. In the West we associate
the fire element with the zodiac signs aries, leo and sagittarius.
Click here
to view a painting of Amitayus
Click here for
the biography of Lama Panchen Ötrul Rinpoche |
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| Sept.
2000 |
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