The Adamantine Sow Dakini – Vajravarahi
Vajravarahi (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Jigten Sumgon, Chenga Chokyi Gyalpo, Lama Tsongkhapa, Vajravarahi, Achi Chokyi Drolma and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Vajravarahi (Sanskrit)
Alternative names: Dorje Phagmo (Tibetan); Adamantine Sow (English); Indra Kacho (Sanskrit)
Vajravarahi is a female tantric Buddha who appears in many different forms throughout the various lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. She embodies the fully enlightened female aspect of a Buddha and her path of practice is considered a Mother Tantra, meaning her practitioners concentrate on the wisdom aspect leading to Buddhahood. She is also a principal dakini, the compassionate female guide and nurturer of tantric meditation who leads practitioners to enlightenment. Her practice arose from a pure vision beheld by the Mahasiddha Indrabodhi, which is why she is sometimes called Indra Kacho, meaning Indra’s Dakini. Here “Indra” refers to Indrabodhi, with “kacho” being a Tibetan word referring to the dakini (Vajravarahi) from Kechara. Kechara is Vajravarahi’s pureland where she resides.
In Highest Yoga Tantra, principal dakinis normally appear in union with male consorts, who are the central figures of the practices. Some examples include Sparshavajra who appears in union with Guhyasamaja; Nairatmya who appears in union with Hevajra; and Vishvamata who appears in union with Kalachakra. In the case of Vajravarahi, she is the principal female Buddha of the Chakrasamvara Tantra and therefore, she is normally depicted in union with Heruka Chakrasamvara. Vajravarahi is one of the most popular female Tantric deities found in all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. She usually has either a single boar’s face that appears in her hair or from the left side of her face and she stands in a dancing posture.
Deity: Jigten Sumgon
The master Jigten Sumgon (1143-1217) was the founder of the Drikung Kagyu order and the main disciple of Phagmo Drupa. He is also said to have been an emanation of the Indian master Nagarjuna. He founded Drikung Thil Monastery in 1179 and is best known for the set of teachings known as The Five Profound Paths of Mahamudra, which have since become major teachings within the Drikung Kagyu tradition. Some of Jigten Sumgon’s teachings were collected by a disciple and compiled into what is now known as the Heart of the Great Vehicle’s Teachings.
Deity: Chenga Chokyi Gyalpo
Chenga Chokyi Gyalpo was the 11th throneholder of the Drikung Kagyu tradition and is famed for having the Narthang version of the Kangyur, or spoken words of the Buddha, and the Tengyur, or commentaries on the Buddha’s teachings, copied. He also bestowed numerous teachings to one of his most famous disciples, the incomparable Lama Tsongkhapa. These included the Drikung Kagyu lineage teachings on the Six Yogas of Naropa, which are advanced Tantric meditation techniques capable of expediting the journey to enlightenment.
Deity: Lama Tsongkhapa
Lama Tsongkhapa founded the Gelug tradition based upon the teachings he received from various masters including those from the Drikung Kagyu tradition. However, he primarily based his tradition on teachings from the Kadampa masters. Lama Tsongkhapa is known to have been an emanation of the Buddha Manjushri and best known for two great works, the Lamrim Chenmo (Graduated Stages on the Path to Enlightenment) and Ngarim Chenmo (Graduated Stages on the Path of Tantra).
Deity: Achi Chokyi Drolma
Achi Chokyi Drolma is the special protectress who arose to protect the Drikung Kagyu order. She is considered to be the reincarnation of Jigten Sumgon’s grandmother who was an emanation of Vajrayogini, another form of Vajravarahi. However, she has since come to be relied on by practitioners from outside the Drikung Kagyu order as well, such as those belonging to the Gelug tradition.
Deity: Dorje Shugden
Dorje Shugden is the special protector who arose to protect teachings within the Gelug order and he is known to be the reincarnation of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen, whose incarnation lineage stems all the way back to the Buddha Manjushri. Dorje Shugden has also been relied upon by practitioners of other lineages including the Nyingma, Sakya and Kagyu traditions.
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In Tibetan Buddhism, Vajravarahi is a wrathful form of Vajrayogini in this beautiful art thangka. Vajravarahi depicts with Jigten Sumgon, Chenga Chokyi Gyalpo, Lama Tsongkhapa, Achi Chokyi Drolma and Dorje Shugden. Vajravarahi who appears in many different forms throughout the various lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. May the good work of this amazing artist continue to produce beautiful paintings.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.