About Niguma

Niguma is considered one of the most important and influential yoginis and Vajrayana teachers of the 10th or 11th century in India. She was a dakini, and one of the two female founders of the Shangpa Kagyu school of Vajrayana Buddhism, along with dakini Sukhasiddhi. Her birth name was Shrijnana. Like many of the mahasiddhas and Tantric practitioners of the time, Niguma was known by several names both during her lifetime and afterwards. She was called Yogini Vimalashri, or Vajradhara Niguma, or Jñana (wisdom) Dakini Adorned with Bone (ornaments), or The Sister referring to her purported relationship to the great Buddhist teacher and adept Naropa. She was also sometimes called Nigupta, which is explained by the historical Buddhist scholar Taranatha as follows: "The name Nigu accords with the Indian language, which is Nigupta, and is said to mean 'truly secret' or 'truly hidden.' In fact, it is the code-language of the dakinis of timeless awareness."
Wisdom Interviews

Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche on yoga, deity meditation, and dream yoga

14
Apr
2024
Temple banner depicting a dancing tantric goddess flanked by bird-headed ḍākinīs

Dakinis – The blissful wisdom of tantric transformation

15
Jul
2022
Dakinis‎, Deities, Vajrayāna
The concept of the ḍākinī somewhat differs depending on the context and the tradition. In Nepalese and Tibetan Buddhism, can refer to both what can be best described as fierce-looking female embodiments of enlightened energy and to human women with a certain amount of spiritual development, both of which can help Tantric initiates attaining enlightenment. The ḍākinī appears in a Vajrayana formulation of the Buddhist refuge formula known as the Three Roots. Sometimes she .
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35 Buddhas of confession

7
Feb
2020
Himalayan Art, Thangka, Tibetan paintings
The are known from the of the Three Heaps, popular in .  35 Confession Prayer This confession prayer is very well known in the tradition. Among English-speaking followers, it is commonly referred to as the “Thirty-five Buddhas Confession Prayer.” The Thirty-five Buddhas are special confession buddhas who, while , made special to assist others to overcome their negativities. Its actual title is the Sutra of Three .
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Dorje Neljorma

Vajrayogini Dakini – Origin, Lineages and Iconography

1
Nov
2019
Culture, Deities, Gods, Meditation, Vajrayogini, Yogini
is a deity who is also called as Vajravarahi in , or , a tradition in which she is considered the supreme deity more revered than any male . She represents the path leading to female . She is also a , a term that describes a female supernatural being or an accomplished , and is considered the queen of the dakinis. Her name comes from the , , which means “diamond” or “thunderbolt,” .
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Machik Labdron and Chod Refuge

Depicting the Painting of Machik Labdron and Chod Refuge

14
Apr
2019
Art, Himalayan Art, Thangka, Tibetan paintings
This is mid-20th-century of Machik Labdron and the Chod field displaying teachers and deities. Painting Chart Depicting the Painting of Machik Labdron and Chod Refuge N°1  Asaṅga was "one of the most important spiritual figures" of and the "founder of the Yogacara school". Traditionally, he and his half-brother are regarded as the major classical Indian exponents of , Vijñanavada (awareness only) thought and Mahayana on the .
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