Dharmapala Thangka CentreSchool of Thangka Painting

Depictions of Buddhas with rainbow colors or rainbow lights on their surface have a specific spiritual meaning in Buddhist symbolism, especially in Tibetan Buddhism. The Buddha manifests himself as a being of light, a symbol of the dissolution of material appearance into pure consciousness and emptiness. The rainbow is also considered a symbol of enlightenment.

The central figur of this thangka is Amitabha [Tib.: ’Od dpag med] - འོད་དཔག་མེད་]. Together with Vairocana, Amogasiddhi, Akshobhya, and Ratnasambhava, heb belongs to the five Tathagata Buddhas [also known as Dhyani Buddhas].

He also plays an important role in Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, where he is considered the primordial Buddha of the Lotus Family [Adibuddha]. In Tibetan Buddhism, there are various practices for gaining access to the Pure Land of Amitabha, such as the Sablam Phowa. Padmasambhava is regarded in Tibetan Buddhism as an incarnation or emanation of Amitabha.

Amitabha is the Buddha of universal love. He lives in tranquility [depicted as a meditating Buddha] and works for the enlightenment of all beings [depicted as a blessing Buddha]. His most important enlightenment technique is the visualization of the surrounding world as a pure land. Those who perceive their world as a pure land awaken the energy of enlightenment within themselves. One can see the world as a pure land through a corresponding clear and unlimited perspective [enlightened mind] or by sending light to all beings [wishing all beings happiness].