In order to explain the cosmogony, the Vajrayana Tantrayana Buddhism conceived the Quintessential Principle out of which all creation originated. This principle was thought of as the manifestation of Shunyata (void) and Karuna (compassion). For the placement of this core concept in the pantheon, it was identified as Adi Buddha or the Primordial Entity. It was also personified as Vajrasattva or one whose essence is the thunderbolt.
This was postulated to create monotheistic ambience in the
Buddhist pantheon. It was presented as the source of the five Dhyani Buddhas or
Tathagatas who were responsible for the entire creation including the divinities.
Thus, Adi Buddha is often presented as the sixth Dhyani Buddha who presided
over the five others.
Adi Buddha is supposed to be in constant yabyum (embrace) with
his consort known as the Adi Shakti or Prajnaparamita.
Adi Buddha is represented either in the union with his female counterpart or singly as a male figure seated in the adamantine pose and displaying
vajra (thunderbolt) and ghanta (bell) in Vajrahunkara mudra in which the hands
are crossed at the first and are drawn near the chest. His body complexion is
usually white.
Adi Buddha as Vajrasattva is often represented as an
independent image or as the central figure in a mandala or the visualized cosmological
space in Buddhist thought.