Chenrezig Eight Perils Who Grants Freedom from Fear
Chenrezig Eight Perils (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Chenrezig Eight Perils and Dorje Shugden
Deity: Chenrezig (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Avalokiteshvara (Sanskrit)
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. He holds 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. The Chenrezig of the Eight Perils or fears refers to the eight types of dangers that may potentially endanger or derail the spiritual path of a practitioner. The basis of these fears come from a particular Sutra called “The Sutra of Tara Who Protects from the Eight Fears” which, in Sanskrit, is known as the “Tara Staghoratarani Sutra”.
The Eight Fears contain both an inner and outer meaning:
- Water or drowning represents desirous attachment.
- Thieves represents false views.
- Hungry lions represents pride.
- Venomous snakes or serpents represents jealousy.
- Fire represents anger.
- Spirits or flesh-eating demons represents doubt.
- Captivity or imprisonment represents greed.
- Elephants represents ignorance.
Through the practice of worshipping Chenrezig, we are able to purify the karma of receiving harm from these eight fears and their associated inner delusions.
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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Wow …..beautiful rime thangka of Chenrezig Eight Perils and Dorje Shugden. I always love to look at pictures of Chenrezig. Chenrezig, also known as Avalokitesvara, and is the most revered of all Bodhisattva, embodying the compassion of all Buddha. It is variably depicted, described and portrayed in different cultures. We are able to purify the karma of receiving harm from these eight fears and their associated inner delusions by practicing of worshipping Chenrezig. Depicted with Dorje Shugden forms a powerful beautiful thangka.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing and explanation of the Chenrezig of the Eight Perils .
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