THE TATHAGATAS

Eight Tathagata couples are seated between the black pillars of the Exalted Wisdom Mandala in the cardinal directions and intermediate directions. The Exalted Wisdom Mandala is slightly lower than the highest Great Bliss Mandala, and above the Enlightened Mind Mandala.

Of the ten couples of Tathagatas, only eight couples are depicted in the Exalted Wisdom Mandala, the other two couples (with Akshobhya and Vajrasattva) are considered one with Kalachakra and Vishvamata.

Move your mouse slowly over below Mind Mandala to see the names of the deities pop up.
The clear area is the Wisdom Mandala with the Tathagatas and vases.

Below image is (slightly edited) from the book 'Kalachakra' by Tibet Domani and depicts yellow Vairochana with his black-blue consort Tara.

All Tathagatas (also known as the Dhyani-Buddhas) are represented as seated males and females in sexual union. They all have three faces, six arms and two legs. Each couple is represented twice; once with the male as main deity (facing the center of the mandala) and the other with the female as main deity.

The female Tathagatas confer the 'Water initiation' and the male Tathagatas give the 'Crown initiation' (see Initiation).

MALE TATHAGATAS
DIR	SANSKRIT	COLOR	TIBETAN	AGGREGATE	WISDOM OF:	DELUSION
-	Akshobhya	Blue	Mikyöpa	consciousness	reality	anger
-	Vajrasattva	Green	Dorje Sempa	exalted wisdom
E	Amoghasiddhi	Black/blue	Dönrub	comp. factors	accomplishment	jealousy
S	Ratnasambhava	Red	Rinbyung	feeling	equality	pride
N	Amitabha	White	Opame	discrimination	discrimination	desire
W	Vairochana	Yellow	Namnang	form	mirror-like	bewilderment
FEMALE TATHAGATAS
DIR	SANSKRIT	COLOR	TIBETAN	ELEMENT	IMMEASURABLE
-	Prajñaparamita	Green	Sherphyinma	exalted wisdom	-
-	Vajradhatu-ishvari	Blue	Byingphyug	space	-
SE	Tara	Black/blue	Drolma	wind	love
SW	Pandara	Red	Gökarmo	fire	joy
NE	Mamaki	White	Mamaki	water	compassion
NW	Locana	Yellow	Pyänma	earth	equanimity

 

VASES

Between the Tathagatas are vases adorned with lotuses; these do not count as deities.
The vases in the Eastern direction are filled with purified marrow, in the South with purified blood, in the North with purified urine and in the West with purified faeces; these are the same substances as found in the Kalachakra Inner Offering.