Ra Lotsawa – the Wrathful Guru
Ra Lotsawa Dorje Drakpa (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Yamantaka, Ra Lotsawa Dorje Drakpa and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Yamantaka (Sankrit)
Alternative names: Vajrabhairava (Sanskrit); Shinje She (Tibetan); Dorje Jigje (Tibetan)
Yamantaka or Vajrabhairava is the manifestation of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Stainless Wisdom. From amongst the many lineages of practices to enter Tibet, the two translators Ra Lotsawa and Mal Lotsawa were known to have disseminated the main transmissions of Yamantaka. This tantra utilises anger as a means to purify all delusions and it is the only tantra that has the potential to purify extreme negative karma associated with the most heinous crimes.
It was the Indian master Lalitavajra who was the first to reveal the Yamantaka Tantra. Lalitavajra was a 10th Century scholar-master from Nalanda Monastery in Bihar, India. His main yidam (meditational deity) was Manjushri. One day, he had a pure vision of Manjushri exhorting him to travel to the land of Oddiyana in order to retrieve the Yamantaka Tantra. This master made the long journey there and encountered a special dakini, Vajra Vetali, who is Yamantaka’s consort, along with other dakinis who eventually revealed the entire Yamantaka Tantra to him.
Unfortunately, they refused to allow him to take the texts with him. He was only allowed to memorise as much of the texts as he could in the short time he was in their presence. Upon their departure, this master quickly put down in words whatever he had memorised and the practice lineage descended down in this manner.
Figure: Ra Lotsawa Dorje Drakpa
Ra Lotsawa Dorje Drakpa is one of the previous lives of Dorje Shugden. He was born on the bordering town of Nyenam, which lies on the main trading route between Tibet and Nepal. He travelled to Nepal in order to receive teachings from the great Nepalese master, Barom Chagdum. From this great master, he received a number of initiations and practices including the Yamantaka lineage. Upon his return to Tibet, he proliferated the Yamantaka Tantras and encountered resistance as many could not accept an animal-faced yidam and figured that it must be a corrupted practice. Ra Lotsawa found himself in a confrontational situation where he had to defend his lineage. In the ensuing magical battle of psychic powers, 13 lamas were slain in a divine play between great masters to highlight the power and efficacy of the Yamantaka Tantras.
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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Interesting story of how the Indian 10th Century master Lalitavajra who was the first to reveal the Yamantaka Tantra. Yamantaka is a Tantric Buddhist deity most commonly found as a secondary figure in a mandala configuration . And also is the manifestation of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Stainless Wisdom. Yamantaka overcome our anger and hatred as a means to purify all delusions. Wow…very powerful indeed , it purify extreme negative karma .
Together with Ra Lotsawa Dorje Drakpa who is one of the previous lives of Dorje Shugden and Dorje Shugden who is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri as depicted in this beautiful thangka forms a very powerful thangka to have it in our home.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.