lit. Lamp Bearer, mi slob
Dipankara is the Buddha from the past. He had lived for Hundred Thousand Years. He reached enlightenment eons prior to Shakyamuni, historical Buddha. Generally, Dipankara is depicted sitting Buddha, but as a standing Buddha displaying Abhaya mudra with his both hands is very common. Dipankara is usually shown yellow in color exibhiting Abhaya mudra and Varada mudra with his two hands. Buddha Dipankara is generally depicted with two Bodhisattvas Manjushri and Vajrapani or Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani or with Shakyamuni Buddha and Maitreya Buddha. Followers also consider him to be the protector of merchants and associate him with alms giving. It is believed that Buddha Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha started his Bodhisattva career after meeting with Buddha Dipankara.
In pali Buddhavamsa there are 24 past Buddhas, Dipankara being the first. Buddha Dipankara is widely represented in Kathmandu valley. In the month of Gula, Samyak festival takes place every once in five years. Many large copper and brass statues are brought to display from various Nepalese Buddhist monasteries where Dipankara Buddha is the chief deity to be displayed and worshipped.