Anuttarayoga Tantra by Alexander Berzin
Anuttarayoga Tantra
Anuttarayoga, the fourth class of tantra, has five Buddha-family traits:
The Tathagata family (represented by a wheel), with the main Buddha-figure Vairochana.
The jewel family, with the main Buddha figure Ratnasambhava.
The lotus family, with the main Buddha-figures Amitabha and Avalokiteshvara.
The karma family (represented by a sword), with the main Buddha figures Amoghasiddhi and Tara.
The vajra family, with the main Buddha figure Akshobhya.
On the broadest level:
Vairochana represents body.
Ratnasambhava represents good qualities.
Amitabha represents speech.
Amoghasiddhi represents actions.
Akshobhya represents mind.
In terms of the five aggregate factors of our experience (five aggregates), as presented according to The Guhyasamaja Tantra, and with colors and directions in the Guhyasamaja mandala assigned accordingly:
Vairochana (white, east) represents the aggregate of forms of physical phenomena.
Ratnasambhava (yellow, south) represents the aggregate of feelings of levels of happiness.
Amitabha (red, west) represents the aggregate of distinguishing (recognition).
Amoghasiddhi (green, north) represents the aggregate of other affecting variables (karmic formations, volitions).
Akshobhya (blue, center) represents the aggregate of types of consciousness.
In terms of the aggregate of forms of physical phenomena (body), the five Buddha-families are associated with the five elements:
The Vairochana family represents earth.
The Ratnasambhava family represents water.
The Amitabha family represents fire.
The Amoghasiddhi family represents wind.
The Akshobhya family represents space.
In terms of the aggregate of types of consciousness (mind):
The Vairochana family represents eye consciousness.
The Ratnasambhava family represents ear consciousness.
The Amitabha family represents nose consciousness.
The Amoghasiddhi family represents tongue consciousness.
The Akshobhya family represents body consciousness.
