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Vajrapani (form of Rigsum Gonpo and two Taras) |
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2008 |
Vajrapani (form of Rigsum Gonpo and two Taras)
(tib. phyag na rdo rje) by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye This deity in essence is the strength and might of every buddha, gathered into one. In form he holds the treasury of the most secret and profound of all awakened ones, By means of names and forms in untold numbers Such as lords of the ten bhumis — Dharmevajra, Vajra Garbha, Vajrapani and so forth. Attending every conqueror and bodhisattva, and each of their successors, always and whoever they may be, Superior to any other is his might of miracles to vanquish Mara, the obstructers, and the agents of distortion. From the empowerment text to the Vajra Club of the Lord of Secrets, Sangdag Dorje Bechon in the New Treasures (Chokling Tersar). Translated by Erik Pema Kunsang. Vajrapani is bodhisattva who appears in a primative form in the Pāli Canon as a yakkha (Sanskrit yaksha) a kind of daemonic or chthonic spirit. His name means "Thunderbolt in Hand". In the Vajrapani he becomes a central figure, where he frequently also goes by the name Guhyapati (Lord of Secrets). In the Tantric texts he is seen in dialogue with the Cosmic Buddha Mahavairocana. The form depicted here is a wrathful form - his body swollen with the energy of liberation is surrounded by a wreath of flames; he shouts his bija mantra; and draws his hand back to hurl the vajra at you in order to break through your obscurations. Vajrapani belongs to the Vajra Family which is headed by Akshobhya. |
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