A Powerful Healer – Avalokiteshvara Simhananda
Avalokiteshvara Simhananda (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Black Manjushri, Yellow Dzambala, Avalokiteshvara Simhananda, Shabala Garuda, Sakya Dorje Shugden Tanag, Tsui Marpo and Setrap.
Avalokiteshvara is a popular archetypal Bodhisattva in the Sutras, in which he strives towards enlightenment. Within the teachings of Vajrayana Buddhism, he is said to be a Buddha, who attained full enlightenment during a past aeon only to manifest as a Bodhisattva on the path to inspire and bless many in our current aeon. Within the Sutras and Tantras, Avalokiteshvara is known by many names including Lokeshvara, Avalokita, Avalokiteshvara, Lokanatha and Mahakarunika. He is famous as he is considered one of the Eight Great Bodhisattva disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni and for his landmark sermon at the behest of Buddha Shakyamuni as narrated in the Heart Sutra.
The Sanskrit honorific ‘arya’ meaning ‘noble’ or ‘noble one’ is often used at the beginning of the name for each of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas as well as notable enlightened beings such as Tara. Arya Avalokiteshvara, known as Chenrezig in Tibetan, is the patron Bodhisattva of Tibet and is still widely revered and worshipped throughout the Mahayana Buddhist world. Within Tibetan Buddhism, there are many lineages of various forms of Avalokiteshvara that span all four classes of Tantra alongside numerous other oral traditions and terma (treasure teachings) traditions that have arisen within the Nyingma order.
The great Indian and Tibetan masters who proliferated the practice of Avalokiteshvara are Jowo Atisha, Bari Lotsawa, Mitra Yogin, Machig Labdron, Kyergangpa, Tsembupa, and so forth. It is said that the Indian master Jowo Atisha promoted the practice of Avalokiteshvara as one of the most important and thus, he is widely practised as one of the Four Deities of the Kadampa order which arose from Jowo Atisha’s teachings. In fact, Avalokiteshvara is also linked to the creation myth of the Tibetan people. He is said to have emanated as a monkey and mated with a demoness who is said to have been an emanation of Tara. Their offspring became the Tibetan race.
There are four popular forms of Avalokiteshvara that are more commonly practised than others and they are Sahasrabhuja, Amoghapasha, Chaturbhuja and Simhananda. The practice of Avalokiteshvara Simhananda is one of Thirteen Golden Dharmas of the Sakya order. It is regarded as an important practice within the Sakya order and descends down through great masters such as Bari Lotsawa Rinchen Drag to Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (1092-1158 CE). The practice originated in India, from ancient masters such as Chandragomin and Suvarnadvipa. It then entered Tibet in the 11th century through the efforts of Rinchen Zangpo, Jowo Atisha, Bari Lotsawa and others. This practice is now found in all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
Historically, Avalokiteshvara Simhananda was also proliferated in Mongolia and China by Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen (1182-1251 CE) after he healed Goden Khan of leprosy using the special healing rituals of the deity. Avalokiteshvara Simhananda is propitiated particularly in rituals to appease nagas. Therefore rituals and pujas associated with Avalokiteshvara Simhananda have a healing effect on those with skin conditions like leprosy, cancer and other related illnesses which are commonly believed to be caused by nagas. Furthermore, these rituals are also used in the offering of torma (ritual cakes) and incense to appease nagas as they are partial towards the great compassion of Avalokiteshvara.
Within the thangka you will also see Black Manjushri, Dzambala and Shabala Garuda together with Avalokiteshvara Simhananda. The practices of these deities are also part of the Sakya order’s Thirteen Golden Dharmas. Black Manjushri is particularly effective for purification, healing of certain dangerous diseases and clearance of negative interferences like black magic, malevolent spirits and so forth. Dzambala on the other hand eliminates poverty while increasing inner and outer wealth. Shabala Garuda is a practice derived from the Kalachakra Tantra that helps in the healing of contagious diseases that are caused by nagas. The three Dharma protectors at the bottom are known as the Three Kings and are popularly worshipped within the Sakya tradition. The Three Kings consist of Tsiu Marpo, Dorje Setrap and Sakya Dorje Shugden Riding a Black Horse (Tanag).
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Beautiful painting of Avalokiteshvara Simhananda ,Black Manjushri, Yellow Dzambala, Shabala Garuda, Sakya Dorje Shugden Tanag, Tsui Marpo and Setrap. Avalokiteshvara is beloved throughout the Buddhist world who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. Buddhism, the bodhisattva of infinite compassion and mercy, possibly the most popular of all figures in Buddhist legend. Avalokiteshvara is beloved throughout the Buddhist world.
Beautiful art paintings for us to print and put on our altar.
Thank you for this sharing.