The Black Cloak – Mahakala Bernagchen
Mahakala Bernagchen (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): Mahakala Bernagchen and Dorje Shugden
Deity: Mahakala Bernagchen (Sanskrit / Tibetan)
Alternative name: Black Cloak Mahakala (English)
This form of Mahakala is called Bernagchen and he is the personal protector of the Karmapas, the heads of the Karma Kagyu tradition. His name literally means ‘The Black Cloak’ and he has two arms. It was the 2nd Karmapa, Karma Pakshi (1206-1283 CE), who introduced the practice into the Karma Kagyu tradition. The practice itself originated from the Revealed Treasure or Terma tradition of the Nyingma tradition. Mahakala Bernagchen is also considered to be one of the special protectors of the Karma Kagyu lineage as a whole.
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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Protective deities play a central role in Tibetan Buddhism. The two-armed Mahakala called Bernakchen is a protector of the Karma Kagyu school. This protector is the main protector of the Karmapas in wrathful form as shown in this beautiful in this post. The two-armed Mahakala and the Karmapa are inseparable and has protected all the Karmapa Lineage. With Dorje Shugden who is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri forms a beautiful and powerful thangka to have a home.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.