The Founder of Chod: Machig Labdron
Seated Machig Labdron (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Buddha Shakyamuni, Padampa Sangye, Vajravarahi, Green Tara, Prajnaparamita, Machig Labdron, Chang Shon, Troma Nagmo and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Machig Labdron (Tibetan)
Machig Labdron’s name means ‘Sole Mother from Lab’ and she is widely considered to be a dakini and an emanation of the Buddha Prajnaparamita or Yum Chenmo in Tibetan. Machig Labdron was a historical figure, great female master and founder of the Mahamudra of Chod, which literally means ‘Great Seal of Severance’. She derived her tantric lineage from the Shije or ‘Pacification of Suffering’ teachings that were transmitted to her from her Indian master, Padampa Sangye. Chod refers to the severance or the cutting through the grasping of the self along with its accompanying emotional afflictions. The tantric practice involves a famous meditation of transforming one’s imagined physical body into a food offering for ghosts, demons and other unseen beings as a means to eliminate the self-grasping mind and replace it with the mind of great compassion. Simultaneously, the practice of Chod aims to help us realise the true nature of our mind.
Deity: Buddha Shakyamuni (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Sangye Shakya Tupa (Tibetan)
Buddha Shakyamuni is the current and historical Buddha who was born a prince in the region of Lumbini (in what is now Nepal). He left the palace, became a wandering mendicant and met several teachers who taught him meditation but still he was not able to gain freedom from samsara or cyclic existence which is marked by suffering. As he persevered with his ascetic practices, he realised the ‘Middle Way’. Inspired by this, he sat under the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya and eventually attained enlightenment. The Buddha gave his first teaching at Sarnath Park on the Four Noble Truths. From then on, the Buddha continued to teach 84,000 Dharmas compassionately until his Parinirvana at age 81.
Deity: Padampa Sangye (Tibetan)
Alternative names: Buddha Paramapita (Sanskrit); Buddha Excellent Father (English)
Padampa Sangye’s Tibetan name translates into Sanskrit as Buddha Paramapita or “Buddha Excellent Father.” He is often identified by the descriptive name ‘Nakpopa’, meaning “Black One”. Padampa Sangye was a famous Indian Mahasiddha who travelled to Tibet in the late 11th Century to transmit many Sutra and Tantra teachings. In total, he travelled to Tibet more than five times. However, he met Machig Labdron only on his third trip to Tibet. Padampa Sangye is included in many lineages of Chod and for this reason, he is known as the Father of Chod. He is also known for his teachings on Shije, or ‘Pacification of Suffering’. This teaching is the central teaching of the Mahamudra Chod lineages founded by Machig Labdron.
Deity: Vajravarahi (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Dorje Phagmo (Tibetan)
In Tibetan Buddhism, Vajravarahi is a semi-wrathful form of Vajra Yogini, who in turn is associated with the Chakrasamvara Tantra. In terms of iconography, she is the female counterpart of Heruka Chakrasamvara and is widely practised in many Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Her practice is said to confer very high attainments.
Deity: Arya Tara (Sanskrit)
Alternative names: Green Tara (English); Shyama Tara (Sanskrit); Drolma (Tibetan); Droljang (Tibetan)
Tara is known as Jetsun Drolma in Tibetan and she is a very important figure in Tibetan Buddhism. She is known as the ‘saviouress’ and is also considered the embodiment of the activity of all the Buddhas. Green Tara is associated primarily with enlightened activity and protection. She is known to have been particularly close to a large number of great Indian and Tibetan masters like Atisha, Shakya Shri Bhadra and so forth. With her right leg extended in her ever-readiness to assist, Tara is known for swift action and manifests many miracles through her sacred images.
Deity: Prajnaparamita (Sanskrit)
Alternative names: Yum Chenmo (Tibetan); Sherab Kyi Parol Tu Chinpa (Tibetan)
Prajnaparamita literally means ‘Perfection of Wisdom’ in Sanskrit and she is a female deity who is the embodiment of transcendent wisdom. Therefore, she is known as the Mother of the Buddhas. It is said that Buddha Shakyamuni himself meditated on Prajnaparamita. In Tibet, Prajnaparamita is known as Yum Chenmo or the ‘Great Mother’ and features prominently in the Chod tantric system created by the Tibetan female master, Machig Labdron.
Deity: Troma Nagmo (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Krodha Kali (Sanskrit)
The black dakini Troma Nagmo’s name means “The Black Wrathful Mother”. She is the embodiment of wisdom and her practice is intimately linked with certain Chod lineages. Relying on Troma Nagmo provides us with an extremely powerful means to cut through our delusions and obstacles, thus revealing our inherent wisdom nature.
Deity: Chang Shon (Tibetan)
The protector Chang Shon is a special protector of the Chod lineage. She has the unique physical attributes of being black in colour, naked and with one face and two arms while riding a blue wolf with nine heads.
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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Thank you for this beautiful ICON and description.
Victor Gareau
Machig Labdron was a renowned 11th-century Tibetan tantric Buddhist practitioner, teacher and yogini who originated several Tibetan lineages of the Vajrayana practice of Chod . She is often depicted with the attributes of a dakini, a representation of enlightened female energy. Together with Buddha Shakyamuni, Padampa Sangye, Vajravarahi, Green Tara, Prajnaparamita, Chang Shon, Troma Nagmo and Dorje Shugden as depicted in this beautiful thangka.
Thank you for this sharing.