Shimmering Vajrayogini from Ms. Wahyu
Stunning and shimmering painting of the sublime mother Vajrayogini, queen of the tantra, a gift from Ms. Wahyu.
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
Dear friends around the world,
Today, I was surprised with a very precious and beautiful gift. I’ve had other people personally paint up Vajrayogini images, and they have offered them to me as a gifts, which is a great honour. However, this particular Vajrayogini is extremely beautiful because it has been painted by a lady who took months to research the iconography from the Vajrayogini category on my blog, so that it turned out correctly. On top of that, after she took months to research and paint, she actually added many shimmering jewels onto Vajrayogini’s holy body. Therefore, in the video below, you can see the shimmering jewels on Vajrayogini and just how beautiful it is. I had no idea I was to receive this gift.
I was totally amazed by the beauty of the painting, of the effort and the care. I can really feel from the painting, how much time and effort was put into it. It wasn’t something just thrown together haphazardly. I am sure the painter, Ms. Wahyu, is very busy with her family and business, yet she found the time to do this. She took the time and effort to make this for me, but I have never even met her, therefore this makes it an even more powerful gift.
During the kaliyuga, or the degenerate times, certain tantras that were taught by the Buddha over 2,500 years ago become much more potent over time. Among the many tantras that are more potent during the degenerate times are the set of anuttarayoga tantras, which include deities such as Guhyasamaja, Heruka, Yamantaka, Kalachakra, Gyalwa Gyatso, Cittamani Tara, Hevajra and Vajrayogini. These are the main types of anuttarayoga tantra deities that are more efficacious, and their practices lead to gaining quicker attainments during degenerate times.
These tantras are classified into two types, mother tantras and father tantras. Mother tantras focuses more on clear light, while the father tantras focuses on great bliss or the generation of the rainbow body. The tantras themselves are not defined by whether the deity themselves are male or female but by the method through which we gain enlightenment, either through utilising the clear light methods or the rainbow body methods. Within the class of mother tantras, one of the most supreme is Vajrayogini, and her practice is considered extremely efficacious.
It is said for those who keep the four pre-requisites of having unwavering faith in Vajrayogini as a deity and yidam, having clean samaya with the guru, never miss tsok offering commitments and recite a short prayer three times every day which is a request to enter her pureland, they will gain high attainments. For students of the lowest scope, here scope refers to merit, they will ascend to Kechara paradise within 14 lifetimes, where she abides and receive teachings from her directly. For students of the medium scope, they will be met by her in the bardo and be taken to Kechara paradise. And finally, in the highest scope, they will not leave their body behind, but will be taken in their current form to Kechara paradise. This has been witnessed or experienced by many practitioners of the past. Therefore Vajrayogini’s practice is extremely potent, and is the direct antidote and counter to desire, attachment and sexual energy that is not directed correctly. Desire and sexual energy that is misdirected can bring much heartache and problems. Vajra Yogini’s practice is a direct counter to these and many other wrong states of mind. In fact full enlightenment can be gained by this practice if done diligently.
By seeing Vajrayogini, making offerings to her, and making a connection with her, one will gain a great amount of merit, and create the causes to practice her teachings in the future. To create such a beautiful image of her in such a conscientious way creates a very strong connection to her. It is highly recommended for everyone to have a Vajrayogini image, offer the best materials onto her image as an offering, keep her image well, make prayers to her and worship her, even if you don’t have her initiation. This is something that I describe in the article called Starting on Vajrayogini Now.
Therefore Vajrayogini’s practice is extremely potent and relevant for people of this time and age. Receiving this image from Ms. Wahyu is extremely auspicious. As soon as I received it, I hung the painting up immediately. I dedicate the merits, that Ms. Wahyu and her loved ones, and all those connected to her will be taken to Kechara paradise, and be connected to Vajrayogini in this and all future lives. Thank you very much for this beautiful gift, I’m very touched and moved. I treasure the gift very much. Very beautiful!
Tsem Rinpoche
For more interesting information:
- Starting On Vajrayogini Now
- Power Places: Jog Falls
- Vajrayogini – The Powerful Divine Red Lady
- Twenty-Four Holy Places & Eight Great Charnel Grounds
- Getting Closer to Vajrayogini
- Kechara Forest Retreat’s Vajrayogini
- Don’t Miss This Offering onto Vajrayogini
- Transcript: How Lama Tsongkhapa Transforms to Vajrayogini
- Tea Offering to Vajrayogini
- For Elizabeth Regarding Vajrayogini Mandalas
- Facebook Question: What are the Commitments After Receiving Vajrayogini’s Sacred Initiation?
- Facebook Question: What is Vajrayogini’s Left Foot Stepping On?
- Buddha Lady Finally Arrives Home
- Vajrayogini Category
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
A very beautiful VajraYogini thangka. Very kind and thoughtful of Ms. Wahyu.? I so happy for Rinpoche to have received one. Such detail and hard work by Ms. Wahyu. Vajrayogini practice is very potent, and with proper mindfulness we should set out to make a connection with her. May everyone be blessed with more merits to practice Vjarayogini by seeing this beautiful thangka. Thank you very much Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this beautiful post. ????☘️??
Starting on Vajra Yogini now. Practicing Vajra Yogini without initiation.
Find out more- https://bit.ly/2JjTTXp
https://video.tsemtulku.com/chat-videos/2019/04/chat-1554237623.mp4
Dear friends around the world,
Many people have asked how to connect with Sacred Diamond Dakini Vajra Yogini without initiation and formal commitments. I have explained how to do so here: https://bit.ly/2JjTTXp
Any form of Vajra Yogini you worship leads to the same benefit. All her forms are just her wisdom manifesting for different karmic propensities at different time periods.
Please be blessed with these beautiful pictures of Ucheyma (Severed Head Vajra Yogini) from my personal shrine. Read more on this sacred form.- https://bit.ly/2QghvhS
May you all be blessed and ascend to Kechara Paradise.
Humbly, Tsem Rinpoche
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致世界各地的朋友：
人们曾无数次问我：如何在没有受灌顶和誓言的情况下，跟殊胜的金刚空行母——金刚瑜伽母结缘。我已经在此文中跟大家解释：https://bit.ly/2JjTTXp
不管我们供奉以哪种形象示现的金刚瑜伽母，所得的益处是一样的。她以无上智慧，顺应不同时代众生的业力而示现不同形象。
衷心希望我佛坛上的“乌切玛”（断首金刚瑜伽母）像的这些庄严相片能加持你的心续。更多关于这一殊胜法相的资料，可在此阅读：https://bit.ly/2QghvhS
祈愿你获得加持，日后能登克切拉净土。
詹杜固仁波切敬启
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1552837890.mp4
Dear friends around the world,
Many people have asked how to connect with Sacred Diamond Dakini Vajra Yogini without initiation and formal commitments. I have explained how to do so here: https://bit.ly/2JjTTXp
Any form of Vajra Yogini you worship leads to the same benefit. All her forms are just her wisdom manifesting for different karmic propensities at different time periods.
Please be blessed with these beautiful pictures of Ucheyma (Severed Head Vajra Yogini) from my personal shrine. Read more on this sacred form.- https://bit.ly/2QghvhS
May you all be blessed and ascend to Kechara Paradise.
Humbly, Tsem Rinpoche
——————————————————————————
致世界各地的朋友：
人们曾无数次问我：如何在没有受灌顶和誓言的情况下，跟殊胜的金刚空行母——金刚瑜伽母结缘。我已经在此文中跟大家解释：https://bit.ly/2JjTTXp
不管我们供奉以哪种形象示现的金刚瑜伽母，所得的益处是一样的。她以无上智慧，顺应不同时代众生的业力而示现不同形象。
衷心希望我佛坛上的“乌切玛”（断首金刚瑜伽母）像的这些庄严相片能加持你的心续。更多关于这一殊胜法相的资料，可在此阅读：https://bit.ly/2QghvhS
祈愿你获得加持，日后能登克切拉净土。
詹杜固仁波切敬启
A sacred image of the rare form of Vajrayogini known as Ucheyma, the Buddha that shows us the path to eradicate the ego. For this and many other high-resolution images of the enlightened beings to download for free visit: https://bit.ly/2oxb4qU
Ucheyma (Severed Headed Vajrayogini) (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): H.H. the 7th Panchen Lama, Ucheyma (Severed Headed Vajrayogini), Vajra Varnani (green assistant), Vajra Vairocani (yellow assistant), Dorje Shugden and Citipati.
The central deity is known as Chinnamasta or Dorje Neljorma Ucheyma. Both Chinnamasta (Sanskrit) and Ucheyma (Tibetan) literally mean, ‘She Whose Head is Severed’. The meaning behind her form is to show practitioners that they need to completely remove the grasping and self-identification with the “I” or the ego. Generally, the identity of the self is strongly associated with our face more than any other part of our body. We usually recognise a person when we look at a person’s face. Hence, our self-identification or ego is strongly associated with our face. To show us that this self-identification needs to be overcome on the spiritual path to enlightenment, Vajrayogini uses her ritual chopper to decapitate herself. This is symbolic of her practice eradicating the ego.
The Severed Headed Vajrayogini, as she is also known, removes all afflictive mental constructs by removing the root cause – the identification of the self, the ego. We are either attached to or averse to people and circumstances because we have an ego to please, gratify and protect. But in the grander scheme of things, this self-identification with the ‘I’ is illusory and does not really exist. Therefore, Vajrayogini reveals this ultimate truth through the dramatic decapitation of her head and at the same time is still able to live and function. She is able to live due to her direct perception of emptiness and egolessness.
Contrary to what some people might think, the eradication of the self does not destroy individualism, our personality or make us into a mindless person. In fact, the eradication of the ego makes us become a vibrant and compassionate person, someone that has greater awareness of the suffering of others. In other words, we become much warmer, kinder, forgiving, tolerant, conscientious, generous, contemplative and we are become a joy to be with. The cutting of the ego or the ‘I’ brings us towards awakening our true self, the Buddha nature within.
The Severed Headed Vajrayogini has two dakini attendants. From the trunk of her neck, there are three severed blood vessels spurting three jets of blood that flow into the mouths of her own decapitated head that she carries in her left hand and into the mouths of her two attendants. Tsem Rinpoche explained that the three jets of blood represent that her practice purifies the three psychic poisons of ignorance, hatred and desire. In turn, this leads to the attainment of the three bodies of a Buddha – the emanation body, the enjoyment body and the truth body. In other words, the severance of the ego via her tantric path leads to the purification of all delusions and ultimately, the attainment of Buddhahood itself.
The 7th Panchen Lama, Palden Tenpai Nyima is featured floating above because of his compilation of sadhanas from the ancient Sadhanamala texts. This includes a particular sadhana or collection of prayers, visualisation and mantra focused on Ucheyma. Incidentally, Dorje Shugden in many of his previous lives was a lineage master of the Vajrayogini tantras as well. These previous lives include the likes of the Mahasiddha Naropa and Tsarchen Losel Gyatso. The Lord and Lady of the Charnel Ground, known as Citipati, are one of the main protectors of the Vajrayogini Tantra.
Last of all, the ascetic meditator engaging in his devotional practices towards Ucheyma in the cemetery represents the ideal environment for tantric practice because such environments invoke deep renunciation towards worldly affairs and attachments. All Buddhist traditions advocate meditating on the bones of the deceased because it reminds us of our mortality and hence, we develop revulsion towards the transient nature of worldly or ordinary existence.
More free downloads: https://bit.ly/2oxb4qU
Read more about Vajrayogini: https://bit.ly/2iVLCuG
Ucheyma (Severed Headed Vajrayogini) (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): Maitri Kacho (Flying Vajrayogini), Maitri Kacho (One-Leg Up Vajrayogini), Naro Kacho, Sukhasiddhi, Ucheyma (Severed Headed Vajrayogini), Vajra Varnani (green assistant), Vajra Vairocani (yellow assistant), Citipati, Vajravarahi and Dorje Shugden.
The central deity is known as Severed Headed Vajrayogini, Chinnamasta or Dorje Neljorma Ucheyma. Both Chinnamasta (Sanskrit) and Ucheyma (Tibetan) literally mean, ‘She Whose Head is Severed’. The meaning behind her form is to show practitioners that they need to completely remove the grasping and self-identification with the “I” or the ego. Generally, the identity of the self is strongly associated with our face more than any other part of our body. We usually recognise a person when we look at a person’s face. Hence, our self-identification or ego is strongly associated with our face. To show us that this self-identification needs to be overcome on the spiritual path to enlightenment, Vajrayogini uses her ritual chopper to decapitate herself. This is symbolic of her practice eradicating the ego.
The Severed Headed Vajrayogini removes all afflictive mental constructs by removing the root cause – the identification of the self, the ego. We are either attached to or averse to people and circumstances because we have an ego to please, gratify and protect. But in the grander scheme of things, this self-identification with the ‘I’ is illusory and does not really exist. Therefore, Vajrayogini reveals this ultimate truth through the dramatic decapitation of her head and at the same time is still able to live and function. She is able to live due to her direct perception of emptiness and egolessness.
Contrary to what some people might think, the eradication of the self does not destroy individualism, our personality or make us into a mindless person. In fact, the eradication of the ego makes us become a vibrant and compassionate person, someone that has greater awareness of the suffering of others. In other words, we become much warmer, kinder, forgiving, tolerant, conscientious, generous, contemplative and we are become a joy to be with. The cutting of the ego or the ‘I’ brings us towards awakening our true self, the Buddha nature within.
The Severed Headed Vajrayogini has two dakini attendants. From the trunk of her neck, there are three severed blood vessels spurting three jets of blood that flow into the mouths of her own decapitated head that she carries in her left hand and into the mouths of her two attendants. Tsem Rinpoche explained that the three jets of blood represent that her practice purifies the three psychic poisons of ignorance, hatred and desire. In turn, this leads to the attainment of the three bodies of a Buddha – the emanation body, the enjoyment body and the truth body. In other words, the severance of the ego via her tantric path leads to the purification of all delusions and ultimately, the attainment of Buddhahood itself.
Severed Headed Vajrayogini is surrounded by some of her other forms, including Naro Kacho, two forms of Maitri Kacho, Sukhasiddhi and Vajravarahi. These forms of Vajrayogini are more commonly practised compared to Severed Headed Vajrayogini and are prevalent in most Tibetan Buddhist lineages. Though they may look different, all forms are indivisible from her true nature and all her practices can lead practitioners to enlightenment. Naro Kacho arose from a vision beheld by the Mahasiddha Naropa, Maitri Kacho from a vision beheld by Maitripa, and Indra Kacho from a vision beheld by Indrabodhi. The Lord and Lady of the Charnel Ground, known as Citipati, are one of the main protectors of the Vajrayogini Tantra.
Last of all, Dorje Shugden is a protector with special affinity with Vajrayogini practitioners because he arose from an incarnation lineage that includes Naropa and Tsarchen Losel Gyatso who practised and proliferated her Tantra.
More free downloads: https://bit.ly/2oxb4qU
Read more about Vajrayogini: https://bit.ly/2iVLCuG
Vajrayogini (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): Naropa, Vajradharma, Hero Vajradharma, Naro Kacho, Maitri Kacho (Flying Vajrayogini), Dorje Shugden and Vajravarahi.
Vajrayogini is a female tantric Buddha and she has many forms that are derived from various lineages. She mainly embodies the fully enlightened female (shakti) aspect of a Buddha. She belongs to the Mother Tantra classification, which refers to her practice concentrating on the wisdom aspect of the path to Buddhahood. She is also the principal dakini, the compassionate female guides and nurturers of tantric meditation who lead practitioners to enlightenment. In the thangka, the main figure in the middle is Naro Kechari as she arose from the pure vision of the Mahasiddha Naropa.
In Anuttara (Highest) Yoga Tantra, principal dakinis normally appear in union with a male consort and this can be seen in the cases of deities such as Guhyasamaja, Hevajra, and Kalachakra. In the case of Vajrayogini, she is the principal female Buddha of the Chakrasamvara Tantra and therefore, she is normally in union with Heruka Chakrasamvara. Furthermore, Vajrayogini is also considered a Vajradakini, who are yidams or meditational deities in their own right. Their practices have evolved from the main practices of their consorts, simplifying the otherwise complicated original practice by reducing it to a single-deity meditation without sacrificing the main benefits and features of the original. Hence, Vajradakini practices such as Vajrayogini and Nairatmya are derived from the original Chakrasamvara Tantra and Hevajra Tantra respectively.
In essence, Vajrayogini is known as “Sarvabuddha-dakini” or the Dakini Who is the Essence of all Buddhas. Her mantra is known as the King of All Mantras as it has the most powerful ability to bless us with spiritual attainments even without any visualisation or meditation. There are 11 Yogas in the generation stage of her practice and a few which have the power of transforming ordinary actions like sleeping, waking and ordinary daily tasks into a collection of merits. Ultimately, her Tantra offers salvation for ordinary practitioners at death with her special promise of guiding practitioners towards Kechara, or the Paradise of the Dakinis, in which we can continue deep practices to become a Buddha without fear, obstacles and interruptions.
Within Vajrayogini practice, soliciting the blessings of the lama and the lineage master are of paramount importance in order for our practice to bear results. Hence, the lama is visualised as the red Vajradharma with arms crossed at the heart, holding the vajra and bell. The lineage masters are visualised as Hero Vajradharma, holding a damaru and skullcup while cradling a khatvanga. Aside from the main Naro Kechari form, Vajrayogini also appears in the form of Maitri Kechari, who is known as Flying Vajrayogini, and arose from the vision of Maitripa. Another common form is known as Indra Kechari, or Vajravarahi, who arose from the vision of Indrabodhi.
Last of all, Dorje Shugden is a Dharma protector with a special affinity with Vajrayogini practitioners. This is because he himself arose from an incarnation lineage that includes the likes of Naropa, the progenitor of Naro Kechari practice, and Tsarchen Losel Gyatso who had practised and proliferated her Tantra and is listed as one the lineage masters invoked upon every day by Vajrayogini practitioners.
More free downloads: https://bit.ly/2oxb4qU
Read more about Vajrayogini: https://bit.ly/2iVLCuG
Original illustration and text posted by Eric D Hatchell as a reply to H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s facebook post on Vajrayogini here: http://bit.ly/VYogini0001
The Dākiṇī with the Essence of all Buddhas, Vajrayoginī
Her practice includes methods to end the otherwise repetitive states of Bardo and rebirth, by transforming the process into a journey, which may lead to full enlightenment. In preparation for which, Vajrayoginī further offers the omnipresent ability to reconstruct the nature of the most, mundane everyday experiences, such that they may reveal higher destinations, via the spiritual paths she may choose to reveal. [1] Vajrayoginī being defined as, “The Dākiṇī who is the Essence of all Buddhas”, [2] is amplified by scholar Miranda Shaw when she implied that this deity is no less than, the supreme nature of the very Tantric pantheon. No male Buddha, including her divine consort, Heruka-Cakrasaṃvara, further advances her in metaphysical implications. [3]
Vajrayoginī’s sādhanā originates from India circa 10/12th C, [4] when summoned as Heruka-Cakrasaṃvara’s Yab-Yum consort [5], with later forms including Vajrayoginī as “Solitary Hero”, she may be visualized with the deep red complexion of a 16-year-old female, whose stance is nude amidst a blazing fire of pristine awareness and most exalted wisdom. Her head is adorned with a crown of five skulls and upon her forehead, the third eye of wisdom is set vertically (represented here by an auspicious jewel). She drapes a necklace of fifty dried human skulls and is depicted with her traditional vajra-handled knife in her right hand; with a blood filled kapala in her left, she drinks with upturned head while looking above, toward the pure realm of Khechara. This seemingly gruesome gesture is actually symbolic of her clear light in great joy, known as “mahasukha” (the great bliss), [6] [7] thus the blood she drinks may be offered to us all as if a fine wine.
Resting on the left shoulder is a Katvanga staff as she stands tall with her two feet, trampling the bodies of red Kalaratri and black Bhairava (with heads bending backward), representing the embodiment of illusion and ego-awareness. The composition, all of which rests above a sun disc and multicolored lotus pedestal, she is rendered here after a thankga of Naropa Tradition (passed down from a special teaching of the Indian Mahasiddha Naropa). Vajrayoginī herself may be classified as the personification of “Wisdom” or “Mother” and her practice originates with the Chakrasamvara Cycle of Tantras, which is one of the five principal tantric practices of the Sakya School, although found in one form or another, she is included in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. [8]
Vajrayoginī also appears in versions from the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, with one popular system having the practitioner visualize themselves as Vajrayoginī, as such, their guru taking the form of Milarepa. [9] Thus depicted above the central deity here we see Milarepa on our right, with his great Guru Marpa left (whose guru was Naropa himself, and other great Indian masters). [10]
Vajrayoginī is a simplified, single most form of the female Buddha, who is otherwise a collection of alternate forms. From her sādhanās she is visualized in English terms as “Vajra Sow”, “Wrathful Lady”, “Fierce Black One”, and other such similar manifestations of female energy found in numerous iconographic renderings and traditions. Each feature of Vajrayoginī’s visualization conveys important spiritual concept. For example, her three eyes indicate her ability to see all (past, present and future); her red-colored body symbolizes the blazing of her ”inner fire”, and the curved knife she wields, demonstrates the power to sever the delusions and obstacles of her followers and of all living beings. [11]
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Wordmarque Design and Photography
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References:
[1] Gyatso, Kelsang. Guide to Dakini Land: The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Buddha Vajrayogini. London: Tharpa, 1996, p.xii.
[2] “The Berzin Archives.” Bonding Practices for Mother Tantra. Accessed February 18, 2016. http://www.berzinarchives.com/…/bonding_prac_mother_tantra_….
[3] Shaw, Miranda Eberle. Buddhist Goddesses of India. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2006, p. 8.
[4] English, Elizabeth. Vajrayoginī: Her Visualizations, Rituals & Forms: A Study of the Cult of Vajrayoginī in India. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2002.
[5] “Vajrasattva (Buddhist Deity) – White (with Consort).” Vajrasattva (Buddhist Deity). Accessed February 18, 2016. http://www.himalayanart.org/items/77598.
[6] Gyatso, Kelsang. Guide to Dakini Land: The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Buddha Vajrayogini. London: Tharpa, 1996 p. 123-127.
[7] Glenn H. Mullin
[8] “Item: Vajrayogini (Buddhist Deity) – (Naropa Tradition).” Vajrayogini (Buddhist Deity). Accessed February 18, 2016. http://www.himalayanart.org/items/290.
[9] English, Elizabeth. Vajrayoginī: Her Visualizations, Rituals & Forms: A Study of the Cult of Vajrayoginī in India. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2002, p. xxiii.
[10] Drinking the Mountain Stream: Songs of Tibet’s Beloved Saint, Milarepa … by Mi-la-ras-pa, Rinpoche Lama Kunga, Brian Cutillo, p.305.
[11] Gyatso, Kelsang. Guide to Dakini Land: The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Buddha Vajrayogini. London: Tharpa, 1996, p.123-127.
For more free high resolution images of Vajrayogini, visit: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/downloads/buddha-images.html?nggpage=9
This is my beautiful Bodhgaya Vajra Yogini on my personal altar. May you be blessed by her always. Read about her here https://bit.ly/2AfEK4Q
Tsem Rinpoche
The current form of Naro Kacho Vajra Yogini appeared to the Indian Mahasiddha Naropa after he meditated intensely on her practice inside a cave. He beheld her glorious form in a vision. This unique form became known as Naropa’s Vajra Yogini or Naro Kacho, as it had never existed before. Later, in Tibet, His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche also had visions of Vajra Yogini. His vision differed slightly from the vision of her that Naropa beheld. In the original Naro Kacho form, Vajra Yogini looks towards her pure land named Kechara. However in Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche’s vision, she looked straight at him, symbolic of the deity empowering him to bestow her practice to many people in order to benefit them. The practice of Vajra Yogini belongs to the Highest Yoga Tantra classification that leads to tremendous inner transformation and can even grant enlightenment within just one lifetime.
Video of Tsem Rinpoche’s shrine taken July 16, 2018. Very beautiful, well done and meticulous.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPAfpMoN2bA
Video of Tsem Rinpoche’s shrine taken July 16, 2018.
Very beautiful, well done and meticulous.
https://video.tsemtulku.com/chat-videos/chat-1531752637.mp4
Vajra Yogini has many different forms and in each of these forms, the positioning of her sacred body, the various implements she holds and the expressions on her face have profound meaning into various aspects of enlightenment. The implements she holds, the expressions on her face, and her body symbolise specific aspects of enlightenment that suit people during a particular time and place according to their karma. So, therefore, Vajra Yogini’s pose, forms and emanations change over time in order to suit different karmically-connected practitioners. It will keep changing because enlightenment is fluid, compassionate and skilful. To gaze upon Vajra Yogini is to look at a complete ‘roadmap’ to enlightenment as every aspect of her body is a manifestation of enlightenment. Therefore to have her form, picture, painting or statue is very blessed. We should make offerings to her daily diligently.
After the great Mahasiddha Naropa had served his guru the Mahasiddha Tilopa for 12 years, Tilopa conferred the Vajra Varahi (another form of Vajra Yogini) initiation with full instructions unto Naropa. Then, Naropa diligently meditated on Vajra Varahi and had a vision of her, and when she appeared to him directly, she appeared in the form of Vajra Yogini. Normally, when he engaged in the Vajra Yogini (Vajravarahi) practice, she was in the form of facing him directly, holding a skull cup and a curved flaying knife in front of her heart. One leg was up and one leg was down as in a dancing pose. That was the form of Vajra Yogini that he had meditated on to gain the highest attainments.
After he had meditated on Vajra Varahi and gained visions of her, she appeared to him in a different form, with her face looking up at Kechara Paradise instead of facing him directly. Her left hand holding the skullcup was thrust in the air and her right hand holding the curved flaying knife, also known as a cemetery knife was facing down at sentient beings or samsara to help beings cut their bonds to suffering. Her left leg was bent, and her right extended while standing in a pose of looking towards Kechara Paradise like she is about to take off there. This form signifies she will take you there and out of suffering. That form of Vajra Yogini became special and that was called Naro Kacho or the Vajra Yogini of Naropa. This Naropa’s Vajra Yogini was initiated to the Nepalese Pamtingpa brothers and they meditated diligently and this tradition of Naropa’s Vajra Yogini just became prevalent and took off from there. Naropa started initiating his other disciples as well into this special form of Vajra Yogini and she became known as Naropa’s Vajra Yogini till this day and it is considered a highly blessed lineage. That is the lineage we have now and most prevalent.
She is looking up because this Naropa’s Vajra Yogini is indicating she will lead her practitioners to her Kechara Paradise within one lifetime if you are diligent in her practice. Realizing enlightenment is harder for people in today’s world and needs more time during Kaliyuga degenerate period, she leads you to her paradise where you can practice undisturbed to Buddha-hood.
In this brilliant artwork, what you see is the Mahasiddha Naropa having a direct vision of Vajra Yogini. It’s the first time she has appeared to Naropa in this form. This form is associated with Naropa. Prior to Naropa, this form of Vajra Yogini did not exist. She in this vision is initiating him into this form (Naro Kacho) of herself indicating this form will be most efficacious now according to our karmic period. In the background, you will see a cave with a light in it because when Naropa used to meditate in that cave, it is said that from his body would emit a light and people could see it from afar. You can also see animals surrounding Vajra Yogini, they can feel her compassion and her great blessings and they are at peace around her.
Vajra Yogini brings peace, love, compassion, wisdom and freedom to everyone who practices her incredibly powerful tantra. Therefore, this artwork is a very beautiful representation of the time when Naropa had a vision of Vajra Yogini in this form for the first time and it is now known as Naropa’s Vajra Yogini. This artwork was offered to me as a gift from a very talented artist. I deeply appreciate this piece of visual spirituality very much.
Tsem Rinpoche
To download for your shrine, please click here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=62528
From Tsem Rinpoche: Every person who has Maha-anuttaratantra empowerments (Eg. Heruka, Guhyasamaja, Yamantaka, Vajra Yogini, Chittamani-Tara, Kalacakra, Hevajra, Gyalwa Gyatso Chenresig, etc) should keep a copy of this on their shrine or prayer book. These are all the ritual items tantric practitioner must keep by commitment. If it is in picture form, it is alright also.
This is a stunning thangka hand drawn offered by Ms Wahyu to Rinpoche. It is so beautiful with so much detailed. I respect and rejoice Ms Wahyu for all her months of research and hard work to produce this offering. May you always be blessed by Vajrayogini and that Vajrayogini practise can reach out to many more people.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the picture of Vajrayogini thangka and the benefit of her practise.
So happy to know that Ms Wahyu, is offering this beautiful Thangka to Rinpoche and she made so much effort in making her offerings. I hope Ms Wahyu and her family will be able to do Vajrayogini practices and be a receptacle of this sacred practice. May it also signify that the Vajrayogini lineage will spread in Malaysia and to the world.
I must say that this one of the most beautiful Vajrayogini thangkas painted by a friend or student of Tsem Rinpoche. It’s remarkably similar to the one that Tsem Rinpoche had commissioned based on iconography that is from the scriptures. Vajrayogini is a heart practice for Tsem Rinpoche for many lifetimes now and one that will bring swift realization even for those with tremendous negative karma.
If we are only so lucky to ever receive Vajrayogini, it would be like one had received a powerful potential to leave samsara and become a Buddha. The whole purpose of Vajrayogini is to become a Buddha via her expedient tantric way In which everything we do on a daily basis can be transformed into a path of awakening.
A beautiful VajraYogini thangka. Very thoughtful, I am happy for you to have received one. Such detail and hard work, by Ms. Wahyu. Vajrayogini practice is very potent, and with proper mindfulness we should set out to make a connection with her.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful peace of work from Ms Wahyu. It is so detailed and beautifully drawn and with the jewels offerings on her. May I have the chance to do offering to this beautiful thangka personally too.
May Ms Wahyu always be with Rinpoche and Vajrayogini.
Anyone who would like to create connection with Vajrayogini and do tea offerings to her can refer to this blog post: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/tea-offering-to-vajrayogini-for-the-1st-time.html
With folded hands,
Wei Theng
Dear Tsem Rinpoche,
I am so blessed and happy to see you had recieved the VajraYogini’s thangka. Your smile in the picture with the thangka had made all the effort worthwihle. Actually, you did the same to me 4 years back when I visited Kechara.
You gave me a VY pendant without even ever meeting me, after that moment my attraction to VY goes deeper and I feel so closely to you as my teacher – thats why I believe you really deserve the painting.
Thank you for teaching Her Dharma and inspires so many beings to enter the Dharma gate, again may you stay healthy, and keep turning the wheel of Dharma.
I hope to be able to meet you in person one day.
Thank you Kechara for all the rejoice and support.
Dear Elizabeth,
Rinpoche was very happy to receive your kind offer and hanged it immediately in His resting/work area. Rinpoche also had us placed an incense burner underneath to make incense offering to Lord Vajrayogini daily, and said the iconography is correct and it is a stunning piece.
Rinpoche was told that you were gifted a Vajrayogini pendant 4 years ago, October 2013, during your visit to Kechara Forest Retreat. I remember Rick and you were captivated by Rinpoche’s Vajrayogini replica https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/travel/my-bodhgaya-vajrayogini.html that was displayed in Wisdom Hall during the tour so you must have very strong affinity with Her.
Rinpoche always tell us that very few people can actually make or draw Lord Vajrayogini image and He was very glad that you are one of them. Thank you again for your wonderful offering and setting an example of patience, good efforts and consistency.
With best wishes,
Pastor Adeline
Dear Pastor Adeline,
Thank you for your kind words and yes, our visit to Kechara four years ago left such a strong impressions and open different doors for us.
Especially for my self, thru Rinpoche’s kindness I reconnect with the Lady Vajrayogini. The things I never thought I can do, painting a thangka of Buddhas and Boddhisatvas now become part of my daily activity.
It is such an honour to be able to present Rinpoche with the Lady Vajrayogini image, may he brings such joy and happiness to sentinent beings by turning the wheel of Dharma.
I am also greatful to meet such a wonderful Dharma sisters and brothers at Kechara, Malaysia.
I learn a lot from you all, thank you.
Dear Ms. Wahyu
This is a very beautiful painting and with the shimmering jewels makes it just stunning. I rejoice for your detailled research, hard work and most beautiful result which pleases Rinpoche so much that he shares it with the world.
Vajra Yogini is so precious and it is for sure a very auspicious gift.
May we all create the cause to be close to holy Vajra Yogini always.
Thank you very much!
Beautiful image of Vajrayogini indeed with shimmering jewels offered to her. Its so nice of this lady Ms Wahyu of her painting of Vajrayogini to our previous Rinpoche whom she have not met before.Vajrayogini’s practice is very powerful to start now making offerings and to be connected .we will then gain a great amount of merits.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this beautiful painting of Vajrayogini.
Amazing art work from Ms. Wahyu. Thank you for expressing your love, devotion, faith and spirituality through your art! It is splendid and really beautiful to see Vajrayogini painted so creatively with so much details and intricate materials, beads, sequence and sparkles really brought Vajra yogini to live!
I am an artist myself and I know how much time and effort is being put into creating an art piece. So I really see that a lot of hard work and effort, and time has been put into this piece of work that came from the heart. I rejoice in this, so thank you Ms. Wahyu for the love and care you put into this sacred art piece of the great supreme Vajrayogini. It kinda inspires me to do the same thing for my next art project! 🙂
Wow, that is a stunning painting especially when Ms. Wahyu had put so much effort into researching Buddha Vajrayogini’s iconography. Not only that, she had taking the extra steps of putting the beautiful jewels on the painting, making it so ‘BLING”. So fitting to offer the best to Lady Vajrayogini even in painting. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this blessing with us and also for your teachings on the benefits of Lady Vajrayogini’s practice as well as making the connection with her by making beautiful offerings to her.
Please visit this for more on starting your connection with Lady Vajrayogini today :https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/inspiration-worthy-words/starting-on-vajra-yogini-now.html
Thank You Rinpoche for sharing such a wonderful news and Vajrayogini Thangkha. It is very beautiful indeed. Vajrayogini practice is very powerful and potent in our degenerated time. I am doing Vajrayogini Tea Offering daily and hope to be able to build strong connection to Vajrayogini and get initiation to start practicing Her praying in this life time and more lives in future. May Ms Wahyu and her love one will be connected to sacred Vajrayogini as well. We should seize this golden opportunity to be connected to Vajrayogini.
Thank You Rinpoche for giving us the teaching best suits to us and worrying about our future like our father. Thank You Guru.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful image of Vajrayogini with us. Rinpoche has always stressed that we should make beautiful offerings to connect with Vajrayogini such as offering ornaments onto her body as in this thangka where the jewels were offered onto her body.
Rinpoche even has prayers like Tea Offerings to Vajrayogini and Praise to Vajrayogini on the website.
Thank you for sjaring about Vajrayogini for us to connect.
Wow! Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this beautiful Tangka. It is indeed very beautiful! From the video, can see the effort Ms. Wahyu put in, the detail color of Vajrayogini body, the detail of the skeleton around her neck, the detail colour of the fire, and the shimmering jewels, this is really a perfect piece of art! The time and the effort Ms. Wahyu put in the tangka, is priceless. Rejoice Ripoche for receiving such a fine art! And Rejoice Ms. Wahyu must have received tremendous merits. Indeed, Vajrayogini practice is very potent. We should start making offerings and connection with Vajrayogini now to create the cause to practice Vajrayogini in the future. Thank you Rinpoche _/\_
Truly a breathtaking work of art. The effort and care taken to produce this piece of art is most commendable. Thank you for sharing this, Rinpoche. I enjoy looking at beautiful Buddha images such as this one.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this beautiful thangka of Vajrayogini specially painted and gifted to Rinpoche by Ms.Wahyu. I am sure she will receive tremendous merits for painting and adding shimmering jewels on the image of Vajrayogini. I rejoice to Rinpoche for receiving the precious gift and Ms. Wahyu for putting all her effort to produce a beautiful thangka and offered it up to Rinpoche.
With folded palms,
Vivian
She took such great pains to make sure that the iconography was accurately depicted in her painting.She must have researched for months. This beautiful gift of Ms Wahyu of her painting of Vajrayogini to Tsem Rinpoche is a true gift of love and devotion, made the more precious as she has never met Rinpoche.By this beautifully crafted painting,she has made very strong connections to Vajrayogini to meet her again in her future life.
Vajrayogini is the Buddha for this age of degeneration,the kaliyuga age. This is the age where lust or desire is the predominant delusion. Her practice is the direct counter or antidote to desire , especially sexual desire, and craving.
Her practice is so powerful that even the lowest scope will at least ascend to her paradise, Kechara Paradise, within 14 lifetimes to listen to Vajrayogini giving direct teachings. For Vajrayogini practitioners of the highest scope, they will be going to Kechara Paradise in their current form!
When we make offerings to Vajrayogini and make a connection, we will gain tremendous merits and create causes to practice her teachings in the future. Hence Vajrayogini practice is potent and relevant for people of this degenerate age.