Elephant-headed Ganapati
Four-Armed Ganapati (Main figure)
Click for high-resolution image
(Top to bottom): Four-Armed White Ganapati and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Four-Armed White Ganapati (English)
Alternative name: Chaturbhuja Sita Ganapati (Sanskrit); Tsodag Karpo Chagzhipa (Tibetan)
In the Tibetan tradition, Ganapati is the Sanskrit name normally used to describe this elephant-headed deity. However, his Indian epithet ‘Ganesha’ carries the same meaning ‘Lord of the Followers of the God Shiva’. Amongst Buddhists, there is tendency to use the name Ganapati to differentiate the enlightened Ganapati deity versus the worldly Ganesha deity.
This particular Four-Armed White Ganapati is in accordance with the tradition of 11th Century Indian master Jowo Atisha. Another master named Pandit Gayadhara introduced a number of other forms of Ganapati to Tibet, which are very much practised within the Sakya tradition. During a later period, the Nyingma tradition also proliferated lineages of Ganapati practice stemming from terma or Hidden Treasure teachings.
In this form however, Ganapati is considered to be an emanation of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion, meaning he is a deity that one can take refuge in and rely upon. Ganapati’s primary function is that of a wealth-bestowing deity, referring to both the generation of outer and inner wealth. Inner wealth is that of wisdom and merit based primarily on the realisation of generosity, the direct counter to miserliness which leads one to poverty-stricken states. Outer wealth refers to material resources that one requires to sustain one’s livelihood and Dharma practice. Most forms of Ganapati belong to the Kriya or Action classification of Buddhist Tantra.
His sacred mantra is: OM BHRUM GANAPATI SOHA
Deity: Dorje Shugden (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Vajra Bhagawan 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.
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
Beautiful art painting of Four-Armed White Ganapati and Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. With these two together forms a powerful combination. Ganapati is considered to be an emanation of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion, It would be wonderful printed out for our altar.
Thank you for sharing.