The Bodhisattva of Wealth – Red Vasudhara
Red Vasudhara (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Kurukulle, Tinuma, Marichi, Red Vasudhara, Sakya Dorje Shugden Tanag, Dorje Setrap and Tsui Marpo.
Vasudhara’s name literally means ‘A stream of jewels’ in Sanskrit. She is widely regarded as a Bodhisattva of wealth, prosperity and abundance. Hence, she is popular in several Himalayan countries and is the subject of many thangka and statue representations. Her practice originated in ancient India and later her worship spread to Nepal, where she enjoyed a large following amongst the Buddhist Newars of the Kathmandu Valley. As such she became one of the main objects of refuge within Newari Buddhism.
The origins of Vasudhara can be traced back to a text known as ‘The Inquiry of the Layman Sucandra’. This text recalls the story of a poverty stricken layman by the name of Sucandra who had gone seek Buddha Shakyamuni’s guidance. He requested the Buddha for a method to obtain wealth in order to feed his extended family and hopefully be able to engage in charitable works as well. The Buddha bestowed upon him Vasudhara’s dharani (long mantra) and ritual to Sucandra that would result in good fortune and prosperity. As he engaged in the rituals and the proliferating of her practice, Sucandra rapidly prospered. Noticing his sudden windfall, the monk Ananda asked Buddha Shakyamuni how he had obtained his fortune so quickly. Shakyamuni told Ananda that it was through the practice of Vasudhara and bestowed upon him the practice of Vasudhara’s dharani and told him to ‘impart it to others for the good of many.’ Thus, Vasudhara’s practice is meant to alleviate suffering because she is said to bestow physical wealth and abundance as well as spiritual wealth.
Apart from Nepal, Vasudhara’s practice also spread to Tibet and has since became known as an important wealth bestowing practice within Tibetan Buddhism. She is considered to be one of the 21 Taras, as she is known as the “Golden/Yellow Tara” or in Tibetan, Drolma Sermo or Norgyunma. In Tibet, the worship of Norgyurma is most popular amongst the laity and thus she is known as a benefactor of the laity. Within the Sakya order, Red Vasudhara’s practice stems from the Chakrasamvara Tantras and is counted as one of “the Three Small Red Ones” or Marching Korsum. This group is included among the Thirteen Golden Dharmas, which were transmitted in ancient times from India and Nepal.
In the thangka above Vasudhara, Kurukulle and Tinuma form the rest of the Three Small Red Ones and are depicted alongside a standing Marichi, the bodhisattva associated with light and the sun. Tinuma’s practice also stems from the Chakrasamvara Tantras and she is considered to be a variant form of Vajrayogini. Kurukulle is the manifestation of Red Tara, one of the twenty-one Taras and her practice invokes upon the activity of control and magnetisation. The three Dharma protectors at the bottom are known as the Three Kings popularly worshipped within the Sakya tradition. The set of Three Kings is a Sakya grouping consisting of Tsiu Marpo, Dorje Setrap and Dorje Shugden Riding a Black Horse (Tanag).
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The Vasudhara I am more familiar with is: https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-742a474d87666a6475498769824d2e32
I have seen a Vasudhara Sadhana online, which features a 2 armed Golden Vasudhara, who looks like this: http://s5.sinaimg.cn/mw690/48aa3316gcec38b8356e4&690
Here’s the Sadhana:
Dear Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, I offer a million mandalas, a million universes, eternity, infinity, space, time, all 6 realms, all 31 planes of existence, all things within them, beyond them and excluded from them, I offer myself as a servant, my body, speech & mind & implore you to write/publish a Vasudhara Sadhana, available on your website, for the benefit of all sentient beings pervading space
Mountains of Gratitude
Oceans of Love
Beautiful thangka of Red Vasudhara also known as a the “Golden/Yellow Tara” who is the Bodhisattva of wealth, prosperity and abundance. She is popular in many Buddhist countries and is a subject in Buddhist legends and art. Originally an Indian bodhisattva, her popularity has spread to southern Buddhist countries. Interesting story of a poverty stricken layman by the name of Sucandra who had gone seek Buddha Shakyamuni’s guidance.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Beautiful music to share ….https://youtu.be/cLS-PnoU1UI