Ksitigarbha – The Saviour
Ksitigarbha (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): Ksitigarbha and Dorje Shugden
Deity: Phagpa Sai Nyingpo (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Ksitigarbha (Sanskrit)
Ksitigarbha is widely worshipped in East Asian Buddhism. His name Kṣitigarbha literally means ‘Earth-store’, ‘Earth Treasury’ or ‘Earth Womb’. He is mainly a Bodhisattva figure mentioned in the Mahayana Purvapravidhana Sutra and little mention within the tantras. He is widely known for his incredible vow to liberate all sentient beings in the six realms between the time of the current Buddha Shakyamuni and the coming of the future Buddha Maitreya, as well as his vow not to achieve Buddhahood until all hells are emptied. That is why he is often regarded as the Bodhisattva of suffering hell-denizens. His practice is mainly to prevent taking rebirth in the hell realm.
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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Ksitigarbha is a bodhisattva primarily revered in East Asian Buddhism . Usually depicted as a monk with a nimbus around his shaved head, he carries a staff to force open the gates of hell and a wish-fulfilling jewel to light up the darkness.In Tibetan thangkas, he is often depicted as a classical seated Bodhisattva with crown. He is regarded as the bodhisattva of hell beings. Well known for his greatest compassionate Vow being, that is not to achieve Buddhahood until all hells are emptied. In this beautiful thangka he is depicted with Dorje Shugden an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri. Dorje Shugden who is a Dharma Protector in order to safeguard the Buddha’s teachings.
Thank you for this beautiful thangka.