The Compassionate Lord: Standing Chenrezig
Standing Chenrezig (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Buddha Amitabha, Chenrezig, Manjushri, Vajrapani and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Avalokiteshvara (Sanskrit)
Alternative names: Chenrezig (Tibetan)
This thangka depicts the “Three Protectors”, known in Tibetan as the Rigsum Gonpo. This enlightened trinity refers to Manjushri, Chenrezig, and Vajrapani. They symbolically represent the wisdom, compassion and skilful means of all the Buddhas of the past, present and future respectively. They also represent the body, speech and mind of all the Buddhas. In Tibet, the great Buddhist King Songtsen Gampo is said to have constructed four temples dedicated to this sacred trinity around the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. This bears testament to the importance of these three great enlightened beings who have emanated as Bodhisattvas since ancient times.
Chenrezig is a popular archetypal Bodhisattva in the Sutras, in which he strives towards complete enlightenment. Within the teachings of Vajrayana Buddhism, Chenrezig is said to be a Buddha who attained full enlightenment during a previous aeon, only to manifest as a Bodhisattva on the spiritual path to inspire and bless many in our current aeon. Within the Sutras and Tantras, Chenrezig is known by many names including Avalokiteshvara, Lokeshvara, Avalokita, Lokanatha and Mahakarunika. He is famously considered one of the Eight Great Bodhisattva Disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni and for his landmark sermon at the behest of Buddha Shakyamuni, as narrated in the Heart Sutra.
Chenrezig’s sacred name literally means the “All-Seeing Lord”. He is regarded as the embodiment of compassion and his divine presence is invoked through his well-known six syllable mantra, OM MANI PADME HUM. In this thangka, he appears in his two-armed form called Padmapani. His left hand holds aloft the stem of an immaculate lotus, indicating that he is unstained by samsara and he has great compassion. Chenrezig’s practice is excellent for those who are angersome as his practice lessens anger and also for those who suffer from depression.
Deity: Manjushri (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Jampel Yang (Tibetan)
Manjushri, or Jampal Yang in Tibetan, literally means “Gentle-voiced” and he has the appearance of a youthful 16-year-old prince. He is one of the most popular Bodhisattvas in the Buddhist pantheon and his earthly abode is in the Wu Tai Shan Mountains of China. He is widely known to be the patron Bodhisattva of Wisdom.
He holds the stem of an immaculate lotus that supports a text on the “Perfection of Wisdom” in one hundred thousand stanzas which are symbolic of the highest form of wisdom – the correct view of emptiness. On top of the text is the fiery wisdom sword that cuts asunder delusions and obscurations. Hence, by relying on Manjushri we are able to develop powerful memory, a flair for the arts, clairvoyance and deep insight into the Buddha’s teachings.
Deity: Vajrapani (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Chagna Dorje (Tibetan)
Vajrapani, literally means ‘Holder of the Vajra’ and he represents the Buddha’s power or skilful means. He is blue in colour and in a peaceful aspect, with his right hand holding a five-pointed vajra at his heart. He wears the six ornaments of a Bodhisattva representing the Six Perfections. Vajrapani is also known as the Lord of Secrets and he bestows practitioners with a special aptitude to practise Tantra. He is well-known to pacify inner and outer maras. Inner maras are delusions and the self-grasping mind while outer maras refer to malevolent spirits and obstructing beings.
Deity: Buddha Amitabha (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Opagme (Tibetan)
Buddha Amitabha is one of the Five Dhyani Buddhas and resides in his Western Paradise called Sukhavati where practitioners with deep faith and those endowed with merit can take rebirth, in order to continue practising the path to become a fully enlightened being. He represents the awakened aggregate of mental discernment and purifies desire, hence he is red in colour. He is also deeply connected with the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden as he resides on the highest floor of Dorje Shugden’s mandala. Therefore, all who rely on Dorje Shugden for assistance against their obstacles and negative karma are also spiritually connected with Buddha Amitabha.
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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