Chenrezig / AvalokitesvaraThe five-pointed crown on the head symbolizes that Chenrezig embodies the five wisdoms:Dharmadhatu or wisdom of the all-pervading elements of Dharma, Mirror-like wisdom,

Equanimity wisdom, Discriminating wisdom, and All-accomplishing wisdom.

His two earrings symbolize wisdom andmethod, or the two truths (relative andultimate). His one face symbolizes that the nature of everybuddha is the same.

He wears the skin of a magical deer, thekrishnasara, over his left shoulder. Only thosewho are pure of heart can see such a deerbecause he can understand the thoughts andlanguage of men. The soft, compassionate eyesof a deer evoke Chenrezig’s name “he whogazes compassionately.”

The arm bracelets, bracelets, and anklebracelets together symbolize perfection of thesix paramitas.

The three necklaces symbolize the perfection ofthe three kayas: the Nirmanakaya, theSambhogakaya, and Dharmakaya.

Four arms symbolize his four activities: peaceful, powerful, increasing, and forceful.

Two hands hold the wish-fulfilling gem, whichsymbolizes the great compassion andindomitable courage. When courage is

combined with great compassion, there is peace, joy, and harmony. This is the greatest way tofulfill wishes. This kind of peace and harmony allows no fear because it is achieved from withinthe mind.

The upper right hand holding a crystal rosary symbolizes liberating sentient beings, drawing themtoward enlightenment with pure and precise activity or manifestation. The lotus that he holds inhis upper left hand shows sentient being's benefit through great wisdom.

He is seated in the vajra asana, or lotus posture, showing that he is non-abiding; he neither abidesin samsara nor in nirvana. Being free from all the obscurations of samsara, he does not belongthere. He does not belong to nirvana because the compassion of bodhisattvas and buddhas won’tlet them rest. But while benefitting sentient beings, their minds are free from all delusions, so it iscalled the non-abiding posture.

The moon disc lies on top of the lotus flower and symbolizes great compassion.

The lotus flower seat symbolizes the pure nature of great wisdom.

Buddha Amitabha

His one face symbolizes the one Dharmakaya.

Two hands symbolize method and wisdom. The mudra of equipoise symbolizes that they areinseparable, one upon another. We can say that, “This is method and that is wisdom” but in fact

the two are inseparable.

The bowl filled with wisdom nectar symbolizes that Buddha Amitabha's wisdom mind ascompletely filled with excellent qualities. He fulfills all the wishes of sentient beings, buddhas andbodhisattvas without any discrimination or differentiation.

He wears the three Dharma robes, consisting of the lower garment and the two upper, yellowrobes. These symbolize the three pitakas, or baskets, of teachings(Vinaya, Sutra, and

Abhidharma). They can also represent the threetrainings of morality, meditation, and wisdom. Buddha Amitabha is wearing these three pitakas ortrainings because they are the special remedy orantidote to purify ignorance, hatred, and desire.

The moon disc, symbolizing compassion rests on asun disc. The sun disc, above a lotus, symbolizesclarity. As sunlight dispels darkness, likewisewhen the intuitive wisdom of critical sight arises inthe mind it dispels all the darkness of ignorance. All the afflicting emotions are purified. The sundispels the suffering of cold, and the moon dispelsthe suffering of heat. While in samsara we sufferfrom the heat and cold. By making this his seat, itshows that Amitabha has conquered all suffering.

His lotus throne is supported by peacocks, whichsymbolize transformation. It is said that peacockscan eat poison, digest it, transform it, and not beaffected by the poison. So, the peacock transformsnegative qualities into positive. Similarly, ournegative emotions transform into wisdom.

VajrapaniVajrapani is surrounded by the vajra-fire mountain circle, a huge circle of vajra-fire mountains, asif the whole universe were on fire. Vajra fire means wisdom fire, and is a form of protection.

The tiara of five dry skulls symbolizes the five wisdoms.

His flame-colored hair symbolizes burning all the obstacles and ignorance.

The garland of fifty freshly severed heads around his neck indicates that the fifty afflicted mentalfactors have been transformed into wisdom.

Eight nagas adorn his neck and head. A naga is a snake or water spirit, and the eight that

Vajrapani wears are the eight kings of the nagas. This means that there is nothing that he cannotsubjugate.

The five-pointed golden vajra that he holds in his right hand symbolizes indestructible wisdom.

He uses the vajra lasso in his left hand, making the subduing mudra, to bind and destroy harmfuldemons and enemies of the Dharma. As a result, wisdom is bound to the minds of practitioners.

His tiger-skin skirt symbolizes fearlessness.

The sun disc above the lotus base shows his clear wisdom.

The lotus base shown the purity of his mind.