Venerable Vajrayogini
Vajrayogini (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Vajrayogini, Mahasiddha Naropa and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Vajrayogini (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Naro Kechari (Sanskrit); Dorje Neljorma (Tibetan)
Vajrayogini is a female tantric Buddha who has many forms and is practised in many lineages within Tibetan Buddhism. She embodies the fully enlightened female aspect of a Buddha and her path of practice is considered a Mother Tantra, meaning her practitioners concentrate on the wisdom aspect leading to Buddhahood. She is also a principal dakini, the compassionate female guide and nurturer of tantric meditation who leads practitioners to enlightenment. Her practice arose from a pure vision beheld by the Mahasiddha Naropa, also depicted in the thangka, which is why she is sometimes called Naro Kechari, meaning Naropa’s Dakini. ‘Naro’ here refers to Naropa and ‘kacho’ is a Tibetan word referring to the dakini from Kechara. Kechara is Vajrayogini’s pureland where she resides.
In Highest Yoga Tantra, principal dakinis normally appear in union with male consorts, who are the central figures of the practices. Some examples include Sparshavajra who appears in union with Guhyasamaja; Nairatmya who appears in union with Hevajra; and Vishvamata who appears in union with Kalachakra. In the case of Vajrayogini, she is the principal female Buddha of the Chakrasamvara Tantra and therefore, she is normally depicted in union with Heruka Chakrasamvara.
Vajrayogini is also considered a Vajradakini, who are yidams or meditational deities in their own right. Their practices evolved from the main practices of their male consorts, but in a form that simplifies an otherwise complicated original practice by reducing it to a single-deity meditation without sacrificing the main benefits and features of the original. Vajrayogini is a supreme deity that is equal to all the other higher tantric deities that confer enlightenment to within one lifetime, even though she appears in a single deity.
Vajrayogini is also known as ‘Sarvabuddha-dakini’ or the Dakini Who is the Essence of all Buddhas. Her mantra is commonly referred to as the King of All Mantras because mere recitation of the mantra alone, without any accompanying visualisation or meditation, has the most powerful ability to bless practitioners with spiritual attainments. Within the generation stage of her practice, there are 11 Yogas which have the power of transforming ordinary actions like sleeping, waking and daily tasks into activities that generate spiritual merit. Ultimately, her practice offers salvation for ordinary practitioners at the time of death through her special promise of guiding practitioners towards Kechara, or the Paradise of the Dakinis. There, we can continue deep practices on the journey to become a Buddha in an accelerated manner, without fear, obstacles and interruptions.
Deity: Mahasiddha Naropa (Sanskrit)
Alternative names: Panchen Naropa (Tibetan)
Mahasiddha Naropa was once the highest scholar in the land of India and was thus made one of the Gatekeepers of Nalanda Monastery, a prestigious position granted only to those who have mastered study of the scriptures and the art of debate. At the behest of an old dakini, Naropa went in search of his teacher, the Mahasiddha Tilopa. The devotion Naropa had for his teacher is now legendary, especially the account of his 13 trials and tribulations that he underwent in order to liberate his mind. After these trials were over, his teacher initiated him into the practice of Vajravarahi and instructed him to enter meditative retreat on the deity. Within six months, he is said to have gained a vision of Vajravarahi in the form of Vajrayogini Naro Kechari who initiated him into her practice. He is therefore known as the progenitor of the Vajrayogini practice in the Naro Kechari form.
Deity: Dorje Shugden (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Vajra Bhagawan Rudra (Sanskrit)
Dorje Shugden has a special regard for the Vajrayogini Tantras. Before he arose as a Dharma Protector, he had for several lifetimes been great Mahasiddhas, scholars and Tantric practitioners. During his incarnations as the Mahasiddha Naropa and the master Tsarchen Losel Gyatso, he was pivotal in the revelation and proliferation of Vajrayogini’s Tantra. In his Dharma Protector form, Dorje Shugden clears obstacles and provides conducive conditions for spiritual practice to flourish, especially for those who practise compassion and work for the benefit of others.
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Amazing art painting of Vajrayogini, Mahasiddha Naropa and Dorje Shugden paints a thousand words. Vajrayogini is a Tantric Buddhist female Buddha. She intensely works for the well-being of others and for the destruction of ego clinging. In this painting the great Naropa sits gazing Vajrayogini,while the powerful Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden is below. Beautiful painting indeed. May the painter continue with the good work.
Thank you for this sharing.