The Historical Buddha
Standing Shakyamuni (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Buddha Shakyamuni, Eight Bodhisattva Disciples and Dorje Shugden.
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. Due to his great kindness in turning the Wheel of Dharma, the Buddha’s great teachings fill 108 volumes that have become the basis of the collection known as the Kangyur (or the Spoken Words of the Buddha). The Buddha had numerous disciples, of which Shariputra and Mahamaudgalyayana were his chief disciples.
It is said Shakyamuni’s teachings will pervade our world system for 5,000 years after which only signs of Dharma will be seen but actual Dharma will not be practised. Shakyamuni established the order of the monks and nuns in which pure discipline (Vinaya) can be practised with the aim of bringing beings to higher states of rebirth and ultimately enlightenment. This tradition has spread all over Asia and now the West. This order, known as the Sangha community, embodies the teachings, practice and discipline as taught by Buddha Shakyamuni.
Deities: Eight Bodhisattva Disciples (English)
Alternative name: Nyewe Se Gye (Tibetan)
- Manjushri is the embodiment of the Buddha’s wisdom
- Avalokiteshvara is the embodiment of the Buddha’s great compassion
- Vajrapani is the embodiment of the Buddha’s power or skilful means.
- Kshitigarbha increases the richness and fertility of the land and is therefore the embodiment of the Buddha’s great merit.
- Sarvanivaranavishkambhin purifies wrong-doing and obstructions and is therefore the embodiment of Buddha’s special qualities.
- Maitreya embodies love and therefore the embodiment of Buddha’s activity.
- Samantabhadra is known for making excellent and sublime offerings and prayers of aspiration and is the embodiment of the Buddha’s aspirations.
- Akashagarbha has the perfect ability to purify transgressions and is the embodiment of the Buddha’s blessings.
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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Beautiful thangka of Buddha Shakyamuni, Eight Bodhisattva Disciples and Dorje Shugden. Shakyamuni Buddha is the founder of the Buddhist religion. Born to a noble family, as a prince he realized that conditioned experiences could not provide lasting happiness and protection from suffering. After a long spiritual search he went into deep meditation, where he realized the nature of mind. He achieved the state of unconditional and lasting happiness. This state of mind is free from disturbing emotions and expresses itself through fearlessness, joy and active compassion. After his enlightenment, Buddha travelled on foot throughout India. Interesting read.
Depicted with the Eight Bodhisattva Disciples and Dorje Shugden forms a great thangka to have.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing with explanation for us to understand better.