Question asked by Samudra
Dear Dharma Pastors,
I have heard that Rinpoche advises his students to wear Vajrayogini pendants in order to create the causes to recieve her initiation. I have also heard that once we recieve her initiation we should keep her image secret. Is it appropriate to wear my pendant outwardly to benefit my Mothers, or should it be worn beneath my clothing? Does it make a difference how I wear it if it is before or after initiation?
With many thanks and blessings,
Samudra
Dear Samudra,
According to H.E. Tsem Rinpoche, “wearing Buddha pendants is an expression of our wish to be close to an enlightened being. Also the Buddha pendant represents the goals we have in life and our higher spiritual aspirations.” Thus, wearing a Vajrayogini pendant has the benefit of not only blessing the beings who set eyes on Vajrayogini’s image, it also creates the causes for one to achieve her qualities and full enlightenment. For the purpose of blessing others, the pendant should be worn outside, not beneath the clothing. But if one is lucky enough to receive initiation to Vajrayogini’s practice, then the practice should be kept secret. This is why practitioners of Vajrayogini or any other higher Tantric Buddhas always keep the image of their yidam hidden as it is a secret practice. The image of the yidam does not refer to the pendants worn for protection and blessings.