The Great Indian Pandit: Arya Asanga
Arya Asanga (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Arya Asanga and Dorje Shugden
Deity: Asanga (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Thogme (Tibetan)
Asanga is one of the most famous Indian Buddhist masters and saints. In Tibet, he is known as one of the Two Crowns, referring to two important Buddhist masters. The other of the Two Crowns is the great master Nagarjuna. Asanga lived in the 4th Century and was the elder brother of Vasubandhu. He was born in Purusapura within the ancient Kingdom of Gandhara (which was located in what is now known as Pakistan).
He studied the treatises of the Three Baskets along with those on the Mahayana tradition and the Perfection of Wisdom. Upon receiving initiation, he entered into a long retreat at Birdsfoot Mountain. During three years of intensive practice, he did not receive a single sign of accomplishment. He became despondent and wanted to break his retreat a few times but was inspired to continue. Finally, he became despondent again and as he emerged from his cave, he chanced upon a dying female dog covered in maggots. He was immediately filled with compassion and he decided to cut a piece of his own flesh so he could transfer the maggots over to it. When he was about to use his tongue to lick the maggots off the wound, the dog suddenly disappeared and Arya Maitreya appeared before him in all his splendour.
Asanga was overjoyed and asked Maitreya why it took so long for him to appear. Maitreya said he was in the cave with Asanga all along but due to Asanga’s obscurations, Asanga was unable to perceive him. In order to prove his point, he instructed Asanga to carry him on his shoulders to the nearest town. While in town, nobody could see Maitreya and only two people saw anything at all. One saw a dead dog and the other Maitreya’s feet and as a result, they gained certain levels of worldly attainments.
Later, Maitreya brought Asanga up to Tushita pure land and there Asanga received teachings from Maitreya. These teachings were transcribed and became known as the ‘Five Treatises of Maitreya’. Together with Asanga’s own commentaries, these texts became the basis for the philosophical schools known as Yogachara or Chittamatra.
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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Arya Asanga an Indian master was one of the most important spiritual figures of Mahayana. The 4th century founder of the Mind Only School of Buddhist Philosophy, who received directly from Maitreya Buddha the extensive , lineage of Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings.
He is one of six great Indian scholars, known as the Six Ornament. Asanga spent years in the monastery learning thousands of verses of dharma and understanding them. As he was inspired by the qualities of Maitreya Buddha, he went to the ‘bird mountain’ to meditate on the Maitreya. Interesting read of how he met Maitreya and later brought him up to Tushita pure land.
Depicted together with Dorje Shugden in this beautiful and powerful thangka tell us a thousand words.
Thanks for sharing.