Each of these five Buddhas is represented by a particular geographical direction in the universe west), and a certain color (Amitabha Buddha consort, sacred syllable, sense organ, organ in the human body, and so forth.
And each of these Buddhas manifested on earth as a bodhisattva (as a way to helping those on earth to attain enlightenment). Thus, Amitabha's earthly bodhisattva is Avalokitesvara. We will return to these Buddhas later when we discuss Vajrayana Buddhism in greater detail.