The Flying Mahasiddha: Ghantapa
Ghantapa (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Mahasiddha Darikapa, Mahasiddha Ghantapa, Chenrezig and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Mahasiddha Darikapa (Sanskrit)
Darikapa was once the King of Pataliputra and was known as Indrapala. One afternoon, the king chanced upon the Mahasiddha Luipa and had instant faith in the master. He offered all his riches to his newfound guru but Luipa refused the offerings. This inspired the king to develop deep renunciation. He abdicated his throne and was initiated into the mandala of Chakrasamvara. Since he had renounced everything, he had nothing to offer his guru in return for the initiation, so offered himself as a slave. He was sold to the famous courtesan, Darima, and practised when he had the time, until he achieved enlightenment.
Deity: Mahasiddha Ghantapa (Sanskrit)
Ghantapa was a prince but renounced the throne to be a monk and, later, a wandering yogin-ascetic. During his travels, he met his guru Darikapa and was initiated into Chakrasamvara practice. He then travelled to Pataliputra, where King Devapala, an outwardly pious king welcomed him and requested teachings. However, Ghantapa repeatedly refused all requests and this eventually offended the king. With the king’s pride wounded, he developed a deep hatred for the yogin and declared that half of his kingdom was to be given to anyone who could prove the yogin Ghantapa’s celibacy was a sham. Darima, a courtesan, accepted the challenge and sent her daughter, herself a young courtesan to seduce Ghantapa. Initially, Ghantapa refused her advances but she persisted and in the end, she became his consort and bore him a son. The king eventually heard what happened and he set out to confront Ghantapa, planning for a showdown to humiliate the yogin. Ghantapa, with his son, a jug of beer and his consort decided to flee but the king with his entourage caught up and hurled accusations at Ghantapa. Ghantapa declared that he had not done anything wrong. As the king and entourage continued their insults, Ghantapa hurled his son and the jug of beer to the ground.
This frightened the Goddess of the Earth and she trembled. The ground opened up, out of which poured water that flooded the entire area. Ghantapa’s son and jug of beer transformed into a vajra and bell respectively. Wielding these ritual implements, Ghantapa flew into the sky with his consort, and appeared as Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi in sacred union.
As the locals began drowning, they cried out to him for help. But he was unperturbed. Suddenly, Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion appeared and stepped on water, which slowly began to go back into the crack in the earth from whence it came. Everyone was saved and they begged Ghantapa for forgiveness. He gave them all a teaching, which led the king and his entourage to realise how their pride was damaging. The events of that day and the subsequent teaching planted the seeds of faith in their hearts. Ghantapa and his consort then ascended to the Paradise of the Dakinis.
Deity: Chenrezig (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Avalokiteshvara (Sanskrit)
Chenrezig is a popular archetypal Bodhisattva in the Sutras, in which he strives towards complete enlightenment. Within the teachings of Vajrayana Buddhism, Chenrezig is said to be a Buddha who attained full enlightenment during a previous aeon, only to manifest as a Bodhisattva on the spiritual path to inspire and bless many in our current aeon. Within the Sutras and Tantras, Chenrezig is known by many names including Avalokiteshvara, Lokeshvara, Avalokita, Lokanatha and Mahakarunika. He is famously 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.
Chenrezig’s sacred name literally means the “All-Seeing Lord”. He is regarded as the embodiment of compassion and his divine presence is invoked through his well-known six syllable mantra, OM MANI PADME HUM. In this thangka, he is appears in his two-armed form called Padmapani. His left hand holds aloft the stem of an immaculate lotus, indicating that he is unstained by samsara and he has great compassion. Chenrezig’s practice is excellent for those who are angersome as his practice lessens anger and also for those who suffer from depression.
Deity: Dorje Shugden (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Vajra Rudra (Sanskrit)
Dorje Shugden is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri. He took the form of a Dharma Protector in order to safeguard the Buddha’s teachings, especially the important teachings on the Middle Way View. Reminiscent of Manjushri’s form, Dorje Shugden carries a meandering sword and rides a snowlion that represents the fearlessness of a fully enlightened Buddha. Thus, he has great strength to overcome obstacles of the body, speech and mind, and create suitable conditions for our spiritual practice to flourish. Furthermore, he carries a jewel-spitting mongoose and a vajra hook to symbolise that he has the tremendous ability to bestow wealth and resources.
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Beautiful art painting of the flying Mahasiddha: Ghantapa with Mahasiddha Darikapa, Chenrezig and Dorje Shugden. It paints a thousand words behind this beautiful thangka. Interesting legendary of Buddhist mahasiddha Ghantapa who created a flood . And the story of how Ghantapa flew into the sky with his consort, and Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion appeared. Here in this beautiful thangka Ghantapa with Mahasiddha Darikapa, Chenrezig and Dorje Shugden forms a powerful combination.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.