(b) Vairocana Buddha (Pirojana-bul, in Korean)

Vairocana is the Cosmic Buddha who spre-ads the light of Buddhist Truth in every direc-tion, the Buddha who embodies the Wisdom of Universal Law. He is the center, Buddha Incarnate, the Original Teacher, the Dharmakaya. Vairocana is the embodiment of Truth and Knowledge. As is the case with all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Vairocana is not exclu-sive of other Buddhas but represents a particular aspect of Buddhahood: in this case, the aspect of Cosmic Energy.

Vairocana is usually depicted with his hands in one of several positions. A common example is the mudra of the "knowledge fist." This mudra is made up of the right-hand "diamond fist" and the left-hand "diamond fin-ger." The "diamond fist" is formed by making a tight fist with the thumb at the center. The "diamond finger" is the left index which is in-serted into the right fist. The mudra of the "knowledge fist" dispels darkness. One of Vairoca-na's names is Diamond Buddha. The diamond repre-sents the supreme strength and durability of Buddhist knowledge. The left index finger represents the world of sentient beings, the surrounding right hand, the protection of the world of Buddhas. Generally the left hand refers to the passive pole and the right hand to the active pole. The left represents the physi-cal plane and the right the metaphysical. This mudra is a divine representation of the passions, and a comment on the intensity with which one aspiring to wisdom pursues the goal. The mudra represents the union of the sexes with Vairocana as the procreator.

Other mudras of Vairocana are variations on the joining of the hands, palm to palm, fingers crossed over one another and thumbs erect, or the right hand encompassing the left hand which has been closed in on itself. These mudra also represent the universal knowledge of the Buddha.

Vairocana is sometimes enshrined in his own building called the Great Light Hall. He is usually unattended when in his own shrine. In other halls, he is the central figure of a trini-ty. He is often attended by Manjusri and Samantabhadra.