Kalarupa – The Lam Rim Protector
Kalarupa (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Kalarupa, Six-Armed Mahakala, Vaishravana and Dorje Shugden
Deity: Kalarupa (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Damchen Chogyal (Tibetan)
Kalarupa arose as the main Dharma Protector of the Yamantaka Tantras. Just like Yamantaka, he is an emanation of Manjushri, the patron Buddha of Wisdom. The practice of propitiating Kalarupa is commonly found in the Sakya, Kagyu and Gelug schools, in which it is particularly emphasised. Furthermore, Kalarupa is the protector of the lowest scope and one of the three protectors of the Lamrim tradition, along with Six-Armed Mahakala for the highest scope and Vaishravana for the middle scope. He is propitiated to aid in the study, contemplation and realisation of the lowest scope of the teachings. These three protectors were also the special protectors of Lama Tsongkhapa. It is believed that Kalarupa manifested in human form to assist Lama Tsongkhapa during the long months of his arduous retreats.
According to a scriptural account, when Buddha Shakyamuni was generating the mind of Great Compassion or Bodhicitta under the sacred Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, an army of 360 million devils appeared and were poised to attack in an attempt to stop the Buddha from attaining enlightenment. The Buddha knew this so he meditated on Yamantaka’s mandala and the whole horde of devils were subdued immediately and seeds of Bodhicitta were planted in their mindstreams. Buddha Shakyamuni then manifested himself as the wrathful Yamantaka amidst an entire entourage within his mandala and bestowed the instructions on the Yamantaka Tantra. The Buddha implored the actual Yamantaka to perform various enlightened deeds to suit the diverse mental dispositions of future practitioners.
Kalarupa is part of Yamantaka’s retinue and he manifests in three main forms – Outer, Inner, and Secret. Inner and Outer Kalarupa are blue-black in colour while Secret Kalarupa is red in colour. The main form of Kalarupa is the outer Kalarupa and he appears with the face of a buffalo, alongside his consort Chamundi. Kalarupa pledged to eliminate obstacles that obstruct the divine activities of the great Yamantaka.
Deity: Six-Armed Mahakala (English)
Alternative names: Shadbhuja Mahakala (Sanskrit); Gonpo Chagdrugpa (Tibetan)
Six-Armed Mahakala is an emanation of Avalokiteshvara and propitiated as the protector of the highest scope of the Lamrim. He is propitiated in a manner similar to Kalarupa but mainly towards the study, contemplation and realisation of the highest scope of the teachings. He is also one of the three main protectors of the great Lama Tsongkhapa.
Deity: Vaishravana (Sanskrit)
Alternative names: Namtose (Tibetan)
Vaishravana is an enlightened protector and believed to be a great wealth-bestowing deity in the Tibetan tradition. He is not to be confused with the unenlightened Vaishravana, who is one of the four Heavenly Guardian Kings. He is typically depicted riding on a lion. Vaishravana is propitiated as the protector of the middle scope of the Lamrim. He is propitiated in a manner similar to Kalarupa but mainly towards the study, contemplation and realisation of the middle scope of the teachings.
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.
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Sanskrit name for this deity is “Dharmaraja” – the King of the Dharma. In this wrathful and protective aspect, Manjushri, the Buddha of wisdom, appears to conquer hindrances and to remove inner or outer obstacles. Karupa arose as the main Dharma Protector of the Yamantaka Tantras along with Six-Armed Mahakala, Vaishravana and Dorje Shugden in this beautiful art paintings. As one of the three protectors of the Lamrim tradition.
Reading this post I have increase a little knowledge.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing .