Eye-Opening Chenrezig
Eye-Opening Chenrezig (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Buddha Shakyamuni, Buddha Amitabha, Eye-Opening Chenrezig, Dorje Shugden and the Nine Mothers.
Deity: Eye-Opening Chenrezig (English)
Alternative name: Chenrezig Migchey (Tibetan)
Chenrezig is a popular archetypal Bodhisattva in the Sutras, in which he strives towards complete enlightenment. Within the teachings of Vajrayana Buddhism, Chenrezig is said to be a Buddha who attained full enlightenment during a previous aeon, only to manifest as a Bodhisattva on the spiritual path to inspire and bless many in our current aeon. Within the Sutras and Tantras, Chenrezig is known by many names including Avalokiteshvara, Lokeshvara, Avalokita, Lokanatha and Mahakarunika. He is famously considered one of the Eight Great Bodhisattva Disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni and for his landmark sermon at the behest of Buddha Shakyamuni, as narrated in the Heart Sutra.
The Sanskrit honorific ‘arya’ meaning ‘noble’ or ‘noble one’ is often used at the beginning of the name for each of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas as well as notable enlightened beings such as Tara. Arya Avalokiteshvara is the patron Bodhisattva of Tibet and is still widely revered and worshipped throughout the Mahayana Buddhist world. Within Tibetan Buddhism, there are many lineages of various forms of Avalokiteshvara that span all four classes of Tantra alongside numerous other oral traditions and terma (treasure teaching) traditions that have arisen within the Nyingma order.
‘Chenrezig Migchey’ literally means ‘Eye-Clearing Avalokiteshvara’ and this lineage arose from a Hidden Treasure (terma) teaching of the Nyingma order. It was originally revealed by Nyangral Nyima Ozer in the 12th Century. However, many masters from the Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug orders have since composed their own ritual and sadhana liturgies dedicated to this form of Chenrezig. This practice was widely disseminated throughout Southern Tibet and from there it spread to Mongolia.
In fact, one of the largest statues of this deity lies in Ganden Monastery of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It is said that the popularity of this practice in 20th Century Mongolia was due to the teachings of His Holiness the 8th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu, who was the third most important personage in Tibetan Buddhism below only the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama. This form of Chenrezig is said to remove ignorance and bestow the direct perception of emptiness (shunyata). On an ordinary level, this deity is very beneficial in relieving ailments of the eye.
Deity: Buddha Shakyamuni (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Sangye Shakya Tupa (Tibetan)
Buddha Shakyamuni is the current and historical Buddha who was born a prince in the region of Lumbini (in what is now Nepal). He left the palace, became a wandering mendicant and met several teachers who taught him meditation but still he was not able to gain freedom from samsara or cyclic existence which is marked by suffering. As he persevered with his ascetic practices, he realised the ‘Middle Way’. Inspired by this, he sat under the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya and eventually attained enlightenment.
The Buddha gave his first teaching at Sarnath Park on the Four Noble Truths. From then on, the Buddha continued to teach 84,000 Dharmas compassionately until his Parinirvana at age 81. Due to his great kindness in turning the Wheel of Dharma, the Buddha’s great teachings fill 108 volumes that have become the basis of the collection known as the Kangyur (or the Spoken Words of the Buddha). The Buddha had numerous disciples, of which Shariputra and Mahamaudgalyayana were his chief disciples.
It is said Shakyamuni’s teachings will pervade our world system for 5,000 years after which only signs of Dharma will be seen but actual Dharma will not be practised. Shakyamuni established the order of the monks and nuns in which pure discipline (Vinaya) can be practised with the aim of bringing beings to higher states of rebirth and ultimately enlightenment. This tradition has spread all over Asia and now the West. This order, known as the Sangha community, embodies the teachings, practice and discipline as taught by Buddha Shakyamuni.
Deity: Buddha Amitabha (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Opagme (Tibetan)
Buddha Amitabha benefits beings on many levels, especially by transforming the energy of desire into that of enlightenment. The highest level practitioner of Amitabha will gain enlightenment during the era of Shakyamuni’s teachings. The lower scope practitioner will be able to take rebirth in places where Amitabha’s or Avalokiteshvara’s practice is prevalent, in order to continue their spiritual journey. The medium scope practitioner will have the fortune to take rebirth from a lotus in Sukhavati Paradise in the presence of Amitabha, receiving a prophecy of their impending enlightenment from Amitabha himself.
Amitabha practice is very strong both in Tibet and China. In China there are many schools of Amitabha practice and his practice is highly revered as it is known to be efficacious. Chinese Buddhists, when meeting or parting with another person, salute each other by saying ‘Namo Omitofuh’ which means ‘Praise to Amitabha’. This is to constantly recognise the inherent nature of Amitabha in all beings they encounter. Buddha mentioned clearly that all of us have the seed of enlightenment, we just need to recognise this. Reciting the sutra and mantra of Amitabha diligently with great faith combined with certain layman’s vows creates the causes of taking birth in what is known as the ‘Western Paradise’ of Amitabha. Practitioners of this path are said to have no fear at the time of death as Amitabha will with an entourage escort the practitioner there personally.
He represents the awakened aggregate of mental discernment and purifies desire, hence he is red in colour. He is also deeply connected with the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden as he resides on the highest floor of Dorje Shugden’s mandala. Therefore, all who rely on Dorje Shugden for assistance against their obstacles and negative karma are also spiritually connected with Buddha Amitabha.
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.
The Nine Mothers are emanations of Dorje Shugden’s four elements and five senses. They take on the appearance of beautiful dakinis, dressed in celestial garments and hold various objects that represent the elements and objects of desire. The nine mothers bestow protection of the five senses and control over the four elements. These are all attributes that signify their ability to assist tantric practitioners with their higher meditations.
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