Powerful Deity for Purification – Heruka Vajrasattva
Heruka Vajrasattva (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): Heruka Vajrasattva and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Heruka Vajrasattva (Sanskrit)
Alternative names: Vajra Hero Father and Mother (English); Dorje Sempa Yab-Yum (Tibetan)
Vajrasattva in sacred union with his consort is a Tantric meditational deity specifically for the purification of negative karma and defilements, and is particularly utilised in Annuttarayoga Tantra cycles including Guhyasamaja, Hevajra and Chakrasamvara. Hence, this practice is also classified as an Anuttarayoga Tantra. Heruka Vajrasattva is specifically mentioned and taught within the 25th chapter of the Abhidhanottara Tantra.
He is described to be embracing his consort with his two hands across his consort’s back. His appearance defers slightly in the Nyingma tradition in which he holds the vajra at the upper back of the consort and the bell at her lower left. Both father Vajrasattva and the mother consort are uniquely adorned with jewels and bone ornaments.
Within the Sakya liturgy, Heruka Vajrasattva is described to be white in colour, with one face, two hands holding a vajra and bell, and embracing the mother. He is adorned with six bone ornaments and seated with the legs in vajra posture, with the Lord of the Family as a crown, the same in appearance. He is in sacred union with Mother Vajragarvi on his lap, who has a body white in colour, holds a curved knife and skullcup, and is adorned with five bone ornaments.
Heruka Vajrasattva is commonly confused with other similar deities like Vajradhara, Vajrapani, Vajravidarana and other similar Buddhas. Physically, Buddha Vajradhara has the exact same iconographic appearance as Heruka Vajrasattva with two hands holding a vajra and bell while embracing the consort, but with a slightly different manner in which the vajra and bell is held.
Deity: Dorje Shugden
Dorje Shugden is the emanation of the bodhisattva of wisdom, Manjushri and has taken the form of a Dharma Protector in order to safeguard Buddha’s teachings especially the special 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 to create suitable conditions for our spiritual practice to flourish.
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Beautiful thangka of the powerful Heruka Vajrasattva and Dorje Shugden. Merely looking at this beautiful paintings is a blessing. Heruka Vajrasattva has the power to purify all negative energies along our spiritual path. Together with Dorje Shugden who is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri,forms a very powerful pair. To have such a powerful in our home will be good.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Wow …….beautiful art scroll painting of the powerful Heruka Vajrasattva and Dorje Shugden. Meditating on Vajrasattva and reciting the mantra is one of the most powerful purification practices – it purifies negative karma accumulated through many life . Heruka Vajrasattva has the power to purify all negative energy, of the ignorant mind and the negative actions of body and speech that arise from it. Together with the powerful protector Dorje Shugden it more beneficial to have one of this scroll in our home,
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing