35 Confessional Buddhas – Tathagata God of the Water Deities
Tathagata God of the Water Deities (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): Tathagata God of the Water Deities and Dorje Shugden
Deity: Tathagata God of the Water Deities (English)
Alternative name: Varunadeva (Sanskrit), Chu Lha Yi Lha (Tibetan)
The Tathagata God of the Water Deities is mentioned in the Mahayana Sutra of the Three Superior Heaps, otherwise known as the 35 Confessional Buddhas Sutra. This sutra is the basis for a powerful purification practice of prostrating and confessing towards 35 completely awakened Buddhas, which includes Varunadeva. According to the commentary of this practice, Varunadeva resides in the south-western region of our universe on the world called ‘Perfectly Clear’. He is white in colour and holds in his hands a circle or mandala of the water deity and a mirror. ‘Water’ in his name refers to his pristine awareness and ‘Deity’ refers to his ability to emanate in order to benefit sentient beings. He specifically purifies the heavy negative karma of killing Bodhisattvas.
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. Furthermore, he carries a jewel-spitting mongoose and a vajra hook to symbolise that he has the tremendous ability to bestow wealth and resources. He has great strength to overcome obstacles of the body, speech and mind, and create suitable conditions for our spiritual practice to flourish.
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Wow….. a beautiful thangka of Tathagata God of the Water Deities known as the 35 Confessional Buddhas Sutra with Dorje Shugden the Dharma Protector. When one practice of prostrating and confessing towards 35 completely awakened Buddhas , we purify our negatives Karma. It is a very powerful practice for practitioners.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.