Trikula
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trikula (T. rigs sum) is translated as "three families," “three lineages,” etc.[1] This term refers to a "three-family" system of buddha qualities identified in the kriya tantra and charya tantra classes of tantra.[1][2]
These three families are:[1][2]
- The Buddha family, with the main Buddha-figures (yi-dam, deities) Shakyamuni and Manjushri
- The Padma family, with the main Buddha-figures Amitabha, Avalokiteshvara, and Tara
- The Vajra family, with the main Buddha-figures Akshobhya and Vajrapani.
According to StudyBuddhism, on the broadest level:[2]
- Manjushri represents body
- Amitabha and Avalokiteshvara represent speech
- Vajrapani represents mind.
In terms of the mind:
- Manjushri represents understanding (wisdom)
- Amitabha and Avalokiteshvara represent compassion
- Vajrapani represents powerful abilities.
This system appears in such works as the Vairocanābhisaṃbodhi Sūtra and the Susiddhikarasūtra.[1]
Four buddha families
The yoga tantras identify four buddha-families, one for each of the four topics discussed in the texts of this class:[2]
- The Tathagata family, headed by Vairochana, for body
- The vajra family, headed by Akshobhya, for mind
- The lotus family, headed by Amitabha, for speech
- The jewel (Skt. ratna) family, headed by Ratnasambhava, for actions.
- The fifth Buddha-family, the karma (action) family, headed by Amoghasiddhi, is subsumed under the jewel family.
Five buddha families
The Niruttara-yoga tantras of the Sarma schools and the three inner tantras of the Nyingma school identify five buddha families.[2] See pañcakula.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Robert E. Buswell Jr., Donald S. Lopez Jr., The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism (Princeton: 2014), s.v. vajrakula
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4
The Five Buddha-Families and Five Dhyani Buddhas, StudyBuddhism
