Trikaya (Buddhism, Zen)

In mahayana or "great vehicle" buddhism, the Buddha is said to be one with the absolute and yet manifest so as to work for the good of all. He possesses three bodies, one the dharmakaya (true nature, transcendental reality), one the sambhogakaya (paradise body enjoying the embodiment of truth), one the nirmanakaya (earthly body, guiding others to liberation). In Hinayana Buddhism, various practices are used to transform body, speech and mind so that the trikaya can be realized, and manifest reality reveal supreme reality. The first, transformation of the physical body, is through the practice of controlled bodily postures and gestures – mudra, resulting in nirmanakaya. Second, transformation of speech, is through the reciting of mantra, the sacred sounds, resulting in sambhogakaya. Thirdly, transformation of the mind, is through the practice of concentration – samadhi, resulting in dharmakaya. In vajrayana or "diamond vehicle' buddhism the three bodies are said to be experienced as the three levels of enlightenment, sambhogakaya and nirmanakaya being "form bodies" to pass on the experience of the absolute, while dharmakaya is the experience of enlightenment, supreme reality itself. In effect, the three bodies unite in the svabhavikakaya or "essence body". A fourth body is mentioned in some places, the mahasukhakaya or "great happiness body" of emotional fulfilment. In zen teaching, the trikaya are the three interdependent levels of reality, the three phases are inseparable, together constituting the whole.