DAINICHI-NYORAI The Buddha Mahavairocana, the Great Illuminator, having decided that his work was done after a decade or so, had himself buried alive, but his body did not rot, awaiting the arrival of the Mirokubosatsu, the Buddha who is to come. It was said that nothing could disturb him, and once when sea serpents tried to distract him from his meditations, he dispersed them with magic, projecting upon them the rays of the morning star. Another time, as he was praying in a temple, he confounded the demonic Oni by the use of a magic circle. Dainichi-nyroai is depicted as seated in deep, serene contemplation on a white lotus. Around him are ranged his emanations, stretching outwards from bodhisattvas to saints, to the myriad beings that comprise the universe.