The five Buddhas Vairocana, Akṣobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amitābha, and Amoghasiddhi are often referred to as the five Dhyani Buddhas. They represent the pure forms of the corresponding components of our conventional world, reflected in external (elements, colors, etc.), internal (mental afflictions, etc.) and secret (wisdom) symbols or representations. Each tantric entity contains all five Buddha families, each with a different emphasis.
In many texts and teachings we encounter various Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and other deities. In Vajrayāna, these are assigned to the five Buddha families with corresponding symbols, colors, etc. and are typically depicted in the form of a mandala.
The various Buddhas and deities establish a connection between our ordinary existence and a consciousness that corresponds to the tantric view. They symbolize the nature of samsaric delusion as the five wisdoms of the Buddhas. Therefore, the understanding of the five Buddha families allows a deeper access to Buddhist meditations and especially the visualizations of Vajrayāna.
Hosted by Nalandabodhi Germany, Mitra Karl is giving a series of lectures about the Five Buddha Families.
Dates and time: Five Thursdays, from October 24 to November 21, 2024, 7 – 8.30 pm (CET – with a time change on October 27).
Language: English with simultaneous German and Spanish translation
Contribution: The registration form offers the option to make your contribution through making a bank transfer. Alternatively, you can make a payment through PayPal. For this, you can use either the accountname “Nalandabodhi Deutschland e.V.” or deutschland@nalandabodhi.org. Please add to your transfer your name and “Five Buddha Families.”
Recordings: Talks will be recorded and available for 14 days after publishing (please allow for a short time before publication for editing).
