Mahasiddha Tantipa – The Senile Weaver
Mahasiddha Tantipa (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Uddhapada Vajra Yogini, Mahasiddha Tantipa and Dorje Shugden
Deity: Uddhapada Vajra Yogini (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Maitri Kachari (Sanskrit)
This form of Vajrayogini extends all the way back to the great Indian Mahasiddha Maitripa. She is known as Uddhapada Vajra Yogini or ‘One Leg Up’ Vajra Yogini. Her body is in a yogic posture with her right leg bent at the knee. Her left arm, holding a skullcup, pulls her left leg up high against her breast while her right arm, holding a curved knife, is flung out behind her, above the sole of her right foot. In the crook of her left arm, she cradles a khatvanga which rests on her left shoulder.
Deity: Mahasiddha Tantipa (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Tantipada (Sanskrit)
Tantipa is one the famed 84 Mahasiddhas. He was a weaver who lived in Sendhonagar in ancient India. He was industrious and built his fortune around his trade. He grew old and bequeathed his trade to his sons and they developed it into a profitable family business. When he grew old, his wife passed away and he rapidly aged and became senile. His daughters-in-law took care of him but he was not easy to care for as spent his entire time complaining about one thing or another. They banished him to a grass hut in the garden.
It was then that the great Guru Jalandhara passed through begging for alms and stayed with the family. As was customary of wandering yogins, he opted to sleep in the garden where he discovered the old senile weaver by accident. He gave him teachings, initiated him into the mandala of Hevajra and taught him how to meditate. The senile weaver practised diligently for 12 years in secret. He gained certain signs of attainments. His daughter-in-law, bearing a platter of food entered his hut and was shocked to find him glowing with a lamp-like radiance while being served delicious food by a circle of 16 beautiful dakinis. The next day, the whole city heard about the incident and gathered to see him. The senile weaver emerged from his hut and was transformed into a 16-year-old youth. He became known as Guru Tantipa, engaging in many selfless acts before ascending into the Paradise of the Dakinis.
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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Beautiful thangka of Mahasiddha Tantipa – The Senile Weaver , looking at it tells a more. A beautiful story behind this where the senile weaver worked very hard and managed to build a prosperous trade, that brought greater wealth to the family. Due to old age ,he was then banished , stayed in a grass hut. Meeting the Great Guru Jalandhara changed his life , thought him how to meditate. He practice secretly and gained certain signs of attainments. Later he was transformed into a young boy and known as the guru Tantipa where for numerous years he spent it on selfless acts. Interesting read .
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.