trimata

Trimata refers to a concept found in some schools of Buddhist philosophy, particularly within the Mahayana tradition. It is a term that translates to "three bodies" or "three bodies of the Buddha." These three bodies are understood as different manifestations or aspects of Buddhahood, each with a distinct role and nature.

The first body is the Dharmakaya, often translated as the "truth body" or "body of reality." This represents the ultimate, unmanifested, and boundless nature of enlightenment itself. It is beyond conceptualization and is seen as the essence of all Buddhas.

The second body is the Sambhogakaya, or "enjoyment body." This body is a celestial or luminous manifestation of a Buddha that appears in pure realms. It is experienced by advanced bodhisattvas and is characterized by its radiant form and the teachings it imparts on the path to enlightenment.

The third body is the Nirmanakaya, or "emanation body." This is the physical manifestation of a Buddha in the ordinary world, such as Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha. The Nirmanakaya appears to beings in a way they can understand and interact with, to guide them towards liberation. The trimata doctrine helps to explain the nature of Buddhahood and its presence in both the ultimate and relative realms.