Nairatmya: She Who Has No Self
Nairatmya (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): Nairatmya and Dorje Shugden
Deity: Nairatmya (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Damema (Tibetan)
Nairatmya is the yogini consort of Hevajra as described within the Hevajra Tantra. The name in Sanskrit literally means “she who has no self (atman)”. Therefore, she is the embodiment of the Buddhist philosophical concept of anatman or selflessness. Nairatmya is a meditational deity (yidam) and consort to Hevajra. There are numerous variant forms and combinations of the two deity-figures, solitary or in ecstatic embrace. She famously appeared to the Mahasiddha Virupa to urge him to continue his tantric practice after he had given up his practice just as he was on the verge of gaining realisation.
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.
Click here for more beautiful thangkas.
For more interesting information:
- The Dorje Shugden category on the blog
- Must Watch: Powerful Explanations on Dharma Protectors
- Black Tara – The Wrathful Protectress
- Mahasiddha Tilopa – the Chakrasamvara Master
- Guhya Manjushri – the Secret Form of Wisdom
- Five Extraordinary Visions of Lama Tsongkhapa
- The Mahasiddha Kukkuripa and His Dog
- Lords of Purification – 35 Confessional Buddhas
- Manjushri Nagarakshasa – The Naga Deity
- Janguli – The Goddess that Protects from Snakes
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Nairatmya is the Buddha Mother of the Sakya sect and is the embodiment of prajna wisdom. As well as a meditational deity and the consort of Hevajra which has many different forms and combinations of forms for these two deities. She has phenomenal power which enables practitioners to break through the ignorance of afflictions and increase the practitioners’ Buddha wisdom and merits. She did appeared to the Mahasiddha Virupa urging him to continue with his tantric practice. Depicted with the dharma protector Dorje Shugden forms a beautiful and powerful thangka.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.