Explaining Kalachakra

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Shri is also known as a of the Non-dual classification. Kalacakra is the name of the foundational treatise of this tradition, composed in and later translated into .

The life of the Kalachakra

In this portion, we will learn about the life f the Kalachakra. And after that, we’ll learn about the short etymological description of the word Kalachakraitself.

Etymology of the Kalachakra

Kalachakra is known as Dus Kyi Khor lo in . Kalacakra is one of many tantric and esoteric practices in Indian and .

Previously, we learn about the life of Kalachakra. Now we are going to learn about the of the Kalachakra.

Iconography of the Kalachakra

In the Iconography of the Kalachakra, we will learn about her posture, hand and leg gesture, and different representations of Kalachakra in and statue.

Stance of the Kalachakra

Shri Kalachakra is shining forth with stainless light rays of five colors. Kalachakra’s body is blue in color. Kalachakra has three necks the central of the neck is blue in color,  the right of the neck is red in color and the left of the neck is white in color.

The main face of Kalachakra is black and fierce with bared teeth. The right face of Kalachakra is red and desirous. The back face of Kalachakra is yellow and in .

The left face is white and very . Each face has three eyes. The hair is tied in a tuft along with a Vishvavajra, crescent moon, and as a crown, a jewel, vajra earrings, vajra necklace, vajra bracelets, vajra belt, vajra anklets, vajra scarf, vajra , and a loose tiger skirt. The first two shoulders of Kalachakra is on the right and left is blue.

The second one is red in color.  The third one is white in color. Kalachakra has a total of six pairs of shoulders. Kalachakra has twelve upper arms and twenty-four hands. The first four right and left are black.

The second four is red and the third four is white. The thumbs of all the hands of Kalachakra is yellow. The index finger of Kalachakra is white.

The middle finger of the Kalachakra is red.  The ring finger of the Kalachakra is black. And the little finger of the Kalachakra is green.

The first knuckle is black,  the second is red,  the third is white. All of the of Kalachakra are beautiful and radiant. The first four black right hands hold a vajra, sword, trident, and curved knife.

The four red hold a flaming arrow, vajra hook, a rattling and hammer. The four white hands hold a wheel, spear, stick, and a battle-ax. The first four black left hands hold a vajra , shield, and a skullcup filled with blood.

The four red hold a bow, vajra lasso, jewel, and a . The four white hold a conch, , vajra chain, and the four-faced head of adorned with flowers. Above a moon, , and , standing in a very playful manner.

The right red leg of Kalachakra is extended atop red having one face and four hands. Kalachakra holding five flower arrows, a bow, lasso, and a hook. Under the left white leg of Kalachakra is .

Kalachakra is white with one face, three eyes, and four arms. Kalachakra is holding a trident, Damaru , skullcup, and a katvanga. The demon consorts and Uma in a woeful manner hold the soles of Kalachakra’s feet.

Previously, we learn about the life of Kalachakra and the iconography of the Kalachakra. Now we are going to learn about depicting Kalachakra.

Depicting Kalachakra Thangka

Depicting Kalachakra

The thangka of Kalachakra is from Central Tibet. It was made in between 1600  AD to 1699 AD. Kalachakra is from lineage. The base of the is mineral pigment on . Presently, this painting is in the .

By Depicting this thangka, we will see how Kalachakra is presented with , , , , Two , Kalachakra, Mahamaya,

Vishvamata

Vishvamata is yellow in color and embraces Kalachakra from the front. The faces from the right are yellow, white, blue, and red. Each face of  Vishvamata is with three eyes.

There are eight arms. The first right hands of Vishvamata hold a curved knife, hook, a rattling Damaru, and bead mala. The left hands of Vishvamata hold a skullcup, lasso, white lotus with eight petals, and a jewel.

Vajrasattva appears as a crown. Vishvamata is adorned with the five . The left leg of Vishvamata is extended-standing together with the Bhagavan.

Bhagavan

Vishvamata is standing together with Bhagavan in the thangka. Bhagavan is semi-wrathful in appearance.  Bhagavan is blue in color.

Bhagavan has four faces, twenty-four hands, and two legs. The main face is blue, right is red, the left is white and the back face is yellow. Each has three eyes and an open mouth with slightly bared fangs.

The first set of eight hands is blue in color. The second or middle is red in color. And the third or upper is yellow in color. The first pair of hands of Bhagavan hold a vajra and bell crossed at the heart embracing the consort.

The remaining right hands of Bhagavan hold a sword, curved knife, trident, three arrows, vajra hook, Damaru drum, hammer, wheel, spear, club, and axe. The left hands of Bhagavan hold a shield, katvanga staff, skullcup, bow, lasso, jewel, lotus, , mirror, vajra chains, and the four-faced yellow head of Brahma. The Lord wears a long green scarf and a tiger skin as a lower garment.

Vajradhara

Vajradhara is at the top center in the thangka. Vajradhara is known as the primordial . Vajradhara is blue in color with one face and two hands holding a vajra and bell at the heart.

Two Kings of Shambhala

Two of are at each side of the thangka. Two Kings of Shambhala is wearing long garments and elaborate headdresses.

Two Lamas

Two is slightly below in the thangka. Two Lamas is wearing orange and red monastic robes. Two celestial figures are white in color and soar against the dark blue sky.

Sahaja Heruka Kalachakra

Sahaja Heruka Kalachakra is on the left side of the thangka. Sahaja Heruka Kalachakra is there is blue in color with one face and two hands holding a vajra and bell embracing the consort.\

Mahamaya

Mahamaya is at the right of the thangka. Mahamaya is the tutelary deity who is blue in color with four faces and four hands holding a skullcup and katvanga staff and in the second pair a .

Hayagriva

Hayagriva is at the right of the thangka. Hayagriva is red in color with one face and two hands holding a stick and lasso.

Previously, we learn about the life of Kalachakra, the iconography of the Kalachakra, and depicting Kalachakra. Now we are going to learn about the lineage of the Kalachakra.

The lineage of the Kalachakra

In the lineage, we will learn about the list of the lineage of Kalachakra.

The school maintains seven distinct lineages of transmission. The RWA lineages are listed below:

  1. Buddha -Kalachakra
  2. Shambala King
  3. A line of 8 Shambhala kings ending with Manjukirti and Pundarika
  4. emanation
  5. Chilu Pandita
  6. Pindo
  7. Kalachakrapada the younger ()
  8. Manjukirti
  9. Samantashri
  10. Rwa Chorab
  11. Rwa Sengge

Previously, we learn about the life of Kalachakra, the iconography of the Kalachakra, and depicting Kalachakra. Finally, we learn about the lineage of the Kalachakra.

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