Amitabha Foundation - US
About Mahakala
Mahakala is a deity common to Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. According to Hinduism, Mahakala is a manifestation of Shiva and is the consort of Hindu Goddess Kali and most prominently appears in Kalikula sect of Shaktism. Mahākāla also appears as a protector deity known as a dharmapala in Vajrayana Buddhism, particularly most Tibetan traditions (Citipati), in Tangmi and in Shingon. He is known as Dàhēitiān and Daaih'hāktīn (大黑天) in Mandarin and Cantonese, Daeheukcheon (대흑천) in Korean and Daikokuten (大黒天) in Japanese. In Sikhism, Mahākāla is referred to as Kal, who is the governor of Maya.
Amitabha Foundation - US
All about Wisdom Protector – Mahakala
Mahakala is a male Buddhist tantric deity. He is the protector deity known as a Dharmapala in Vajrayana Buddhism, especially most Tibetan traditions, in Tangmi and in Japanese Esoteric Buddhism.
Maha literally translates as great and Kala signifies time or death, hence Mahakala means "beyond the time" or "Great Black One".
Mahakala is a protector deity and specifically the primary Wisdom Protector of Himalayan and Tibetan Buddhism. In some cases, Mahakala can also be a meditational .
All you need to know about Brahmarupa Mahakala
Brahmarupa Mahakala is the outer form of Chaturmukha Mahakala. He is the special protector of the Guhyasamaja Tantra and the 2nd main protector of the Sakya School.
Brahmarupa, a benign form of the wrathful deity Mahakala, is shown as a bearded nomadic ascetic, sitting on a corpse, wearing a bone apron, and holding a thighbone trumpet and a skull cup.
A protector of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism, he is credited with introducing the Hevajra .
Interpreting Buddhist Protector Panjarnata Mahakala
Panjarnata Mahakala is the protector of the Hevajra cycle of Tantras. The iconography and rituals of Panjarnata Mahakala are found in the 18th chapter of the Vajra Panjara Tantra which an exclusive 'explanatory tantra' to the Hevajra Tantra itself.
Life of Panjarnata Mahakala
In this section, we are going to learn about the life of Panjarnata Mahakala, after that, the short etymological description of the word Panjarnata Mahakala itself.
Panjarnata Mahakala is the main protector of the .
Explaining Buddhist Protector Four Faced Mahakala – Chaturmukha Thangka
Depicting Mahakala, Chaturmukha who was known as the Four-faced Great Black One. Mahakala was associated with the Guhyasamaja Tantra along with the Twenty-five and Fifty Chapter Mahakala Tantras.
The Life of Chaturmukha Mahakala
In this section, we are going to learn about the life of Mahakala, after that, we will learn about the short etymological description of the word Mahakala itself.
Etymology of Chaturmukha Mahakala
Earlier, we learn about the life of Caturmukha Mahakala. Now, we are going .
Tibetan Gau boxes & Amulets
Ga'u or Gawu is a ritual item also known as amulet box. Gau are portable shrines generally made from hand hammered metals. The purpose and function of an amulet box is for general protection and protection when traveling. Amulet boxes are also commonly used to store all manner of sacred materials such as small texts, blessing cords, consecrated medicine, relics, and the like.
Types of Tibetan Gau Box
Tibetan Gau boxs can be categorized according to their size, .
Tibetan Buddhist practices – Schools, sutras & tantras
Apart from classical Mahāyāna Buddhist practices like the six perfections, Tibetan Buddhism also includes tantric practices, such as deity yoga and the Six Dharmas of Naropa as well as methods which are seen as transcending tantra, like Dzogchen.
In Tibetan Buddhism, practices are generally classified as either Sutra (or Pāramitāyāna) or Tantra (Vajrayāna or Mantrayāna), though exactly what constitutes each category and what is included and excluded in each is a matter of debate and .
Buddhist tantras – Manipulation of the subtle body
The Buddhist Tantras are a varied group of Indian and Tibetan texts which outline unique views and practices of the Buddhist tantra religious systems.
Buddhist Tantric texts began appearing in the Gupta Empire period though there are texts with elements associated with Tantra that can be seen as early as the third century.
By the eighth century, Tantra was a dominant force in North India and the number of texts increased with numerous Tantric pandits writing .
Herukas – The unified consciousness with emptiness
Heruka, is the name of a category of wrathful deities, enlightened beings in Vajrayana Buddhism that adopt a fierce countenance to benefit sentient beings.
In East Asia, these are called Wisdom Kings.
Herukas represent the embodiment of indivisible bliss and emptiness.
They appear as Iṣṭha-devatā or meditational deities for tantric sādhanā, usually placed in a mandala and often appearing in Yab-Yum.
Heruka represents wrathful imagery with indivisible emptiness (śūnyatā), bliss, peace, wisdom, compassion (bodhicitta), and love. .
Dharmapalas – Defenders of the Justice
A dharmapāla is a type of wrathful god in Buddhism.
The name means "dharma protector" in Sanskrit, and the dharmapālas are also known as the Defenders of the Justice (Dharma), or the Guardians of the Law.
There are two kinds of dharmapala, Worldly Guardians (lokapala) and Wisdom Protectors (jnanapala).
Only Wisdom Protectors are enlightened beings.
In Vajrayana iconography and thangka depictions, dharmapala are fearsome beings, often with many heads, many hands, or many feet.
Dharmapala .
13th Karmapa Dudul Dorje
Dudul Dorje is known as 13th Karmapa. Dudul Dorje is able to teach the word of the Buddha to both humans and animals. He was the head of the Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism.
Dudul Dorje was born in Champa Drongsar and recognized by Gyaltsab Rinpoche at the age of four. He received an education in the monastery from the age of eight by both the Kagyu and the Nyingma schools. Dudul Dorje became head of .