The All-Seeing Lord – Chenrezig
Chenrezig (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Four-Armed Chenrezig and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Chenrezig Chagzhipa (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Chaturbhuja Avalokiteshvara (Sanskrit); Four-Armed Chenrezig (English)
Chenrezig’s sacred name literally means the ‘All-Seeing Lord’. He is one of the Eight Great Bodhisattva Disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni and one of the most popular bodhisattvas in the Mahayana Buddhist world.
He is regarded as the embodiment of enlightened compassion and his divine presence is invoked through his well-known six syllable mantra, OM MANI PEME HUNG. In this form, his four arms represent the Four Immeasurables of loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and perfect equanimity. His two main hands, folded at his heart, hold a blue wish-fulfilling jewel, symbolising the great compassion of all the Buddhas.
With his other right hand he holds aloft a mala (rosary) comprising of 108 beads, representing his ability to guide all beings on the path of liberation from suffering. His remaining left hand grasps the stem of an immaculate lotus, indicating that he is unstained by the delusions of samsara. Chenrezig’s practice is excellent for those who suffer from depression and for those who need to lessen their anger.
Here Chenrezig is surrounded with celestial dakinis who are dancing and making offerings, as well as nagas who are also making offerings. Nagas are serpentine-like beings of great power and control over the weather. They are naturally drawn to Chenrezig due to his great compassion.
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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In the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon of enlightened beings, Chenrezig is renowned as the embodiment of the compassion of all the Buddhas, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
Thank You Rinpoche for sharing this details explanations of Chenrezig’s beautiful thangkas with the Powerful protector Dorje
Shugden.