Goddess of Transcendent Wisdom: Prajnaparamita
Prajnaparamita (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): Prajnaparamita and Dorje Shugden
Deity: Prajnaparamita (Sanskrit)
Alternative names: Yum Chenmo; Sherab Ki Pharol Tu Trin Pa (Tibetan)
Prajnaparamita literally means ’Perfection of Wisdom’ in Sanskrit and this refers to perfect non-conceptual wisdom, the last of the Six Perfections; the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra, with its central theme on emptiness, was recovered by Nagarjuna from Nagaraja, the King of the Nagas who had been guarding them at the bottom of the sea. Prajnaparamita also refers to the female deity who is the embodiment of transcendent wisdom and she is therefore known as the Mother of the Buddhas. It is said that Buddha Shakyamuni himself meditated on Prajnaparamita. In Tibet, Prajnaparamita is known as Yum Chenmo or the ‘Great Mother’ and features prominently in the Chod tantric system created by the Tibetan female master, Machig Labdron.
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.
Click here for more beautiful thangkas.
For more interesting information:
- The Dorje Shugden category on the blog
- Must Watch: Powerful Explanations on Dharma Protectors
- Black Tara – The Wrathful Protectress
- Mahasiddha Tilopa – the Chakrasamvara Master
- Guhya Manjushri – the Secret Form of Wisdom
- Five Extraordinary Visions of Lama Tsongkhapa
- The Mahasiddha Kukkuripa and His Dog
- Lords of Purification – 35 Confessional Buddhas
- Manjushri Nagarakshasa – The Naga Deity
- Janguli – The Goddess that Protects from Snakes
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thank you for sharing this beautiful piece of love
Love this Mother Prajnaparamita! Now with this thangka, I have a better view on the iconography of Her.
Thank you Rinpoche. 🙏
Prajnaparamita or the Perfection of Wisdom refers to perfect non-conceptual wisdom, the attainment of which leads to the realization of emptiness. It was Nagarjuna who recovered the Perfection of Wisdom sutra from Nagaraja, the King of the Nagas , at the bottom of the ocean. Consequently, Nagarjuna established the Correct (Middle) View of Emptiness based on this sutra.
Dorje Shugden , an emanation of Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom, arose as the Dharma Protector to protect the teachings on Nagarjuna’s Middle View.
A beautiful thangka showing Prajnaparamita( who is also the female deity who is the embodiment of transcendent wisdom and is therefore known as the Mother of the Buddhas) as well as Dorje Shugden.