The Lord of Time – Kalachakra
Kalachakra (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Buddha Shakyamuni, King Suchandra, King Raudra Chakrin, Vajravega and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Kalachakra (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Dukyi Khorlo (Tibetan)
Kalachakra means Wheel of Time or ‘time-cycles’ and is also a Tantric deity or yidam of Vajrayana Buddhism. The name also represents complex meditation practices contained within the Kalachakra Tantra literature. The meditations contained in this Tantric system has the great ability to bring one to complete enlightenment.
Shambhala is a physical place associated with the Kalachakra Tantra that is ruled by great enlightened rulers. We are currently in the reign of the 21st King of Shambhala. Shambhala residents are said to live very long lives, peacefully abiding within ethics and the practice of Dharma. Their main practice is Kalachakra which is one of the Highest Yoga Tantras revealed in this world system by Buddha Shakyamuni. It is said by practising Kalachakra one is able to create the causes to take rebirth in Shambhala. It is the only Highest Yoga Tantra given publicly to mass audiences as these types of Tantra are very secret.
It is hoped by receiving this initiation, one will create the causes to take rebirth in Shambhala where one can practice the Dharma in peace and without wars or disturbances. It is well known that the sacred line of Panchen Lamas are the emanations of the Kings of Shambhala who bring Dharma to the lands outside of Shambhala. Many benefits arise from the practice of this profound tantric system.
Deity: Buddha Shakyamuni (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Sangye Shakya Tupa (Tibetan)
The historic Buddha Shakyamuni was the first to turn the Wheel of Dharma during our current aeon. We are fortunate because the Buddha taught the paths of both sutra and tantra. Using tantric teachings, we are able to accomplish enlightenment within a single lifetime, rather than the three countless aeons required to achieve enlightenment using sutric teachings.
Deity: King Suchandra (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Chogyal Dawa Sangpo (Tibetan)
According to the Kalachakra Tantra, Buddha Shakyamuni taught the Kalachakra Root Tantra in Dharanikota (near modern-day Amaravathi) in south-eastern India to the first King of Shambhala, Suchandra. This King brought the Tantra back to Shambhala where it became the main practice of the mythical land. All the Kings of Shambhala are the lineage holders of the Kalachakra Tantra and they bestow empowerments to their subjects to engage in this practice.
Deity: King Raudra Chakrin (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Rigden Dragpo (Tibetan)
Raudra Chakrin’s name literally means ‘Forceful Wheel Holder’. The final king prophesied in the Kalachakra Tantra, Raudra Chakrin is said to reign over the kingdom of Shambala in 2424 CE and emerge from his hidden kingdom to establish a planet-wide Golden Age subsequent to the defeat of degenerate world rulers. At that time, the outside world will be devoid of true Dharma and signs of spiritual degeneration will be very strong.
Abode: Shambhala
Shambhala is a physical place associated with the Kalachakra Tantra. One can enter the kingdom with one’s physical body but it exists on a slightly different plane. Many high beings are able to visit there using their astral bodies. Practitioners have physically entered the realm also. His Holiness the Panchen Lama and his line of incarnations are masters of this tantra and said to have travelled to this realm and recorded the sights and sounds in detail in ‘The Way to Shambhala’ or ‘Shambhala Lamyig’ in Tibetan. Shambhala is ruled by great enlightened rulers who practice the Kalachakra Tantra and proliferate the practice.
Deity: Vajravega (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Dorje Shug (Tibetan)
Iconographically, Vajravega is similar to the main Kalachakra deity except for the fact that he is without a consort. Vajravega’s practice is mentioned in the Kalachakra Tantra and its commentary, the Vimalaprabha, as one of the preliminaries to the main Kalachakra empowerment. It is said that a vajra-protective sphere containing Vajravega and the 60 protector entourage is generated to safeguard the area and the site where the Kalachakra empowerment is about to take place in order to remove obstacles and obstructing spirits. Vajravega is also invoked within the Kalachakra sadhana in order to protect the practitioner and the immediate surroundings.
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.
Furthermore, Dorje Shugden for many lifetimes as great translators and lineage holders was responsible for the dissemination and preservation of the Kalachakra Tantra in Tibet. According to the long fulfilment puja (kangsol) text, Dorje Shugden at the beginning of the puja is called forth from the mystical land of Shambhala, the last great stronghold of the Kalachakra lineage on earth. One of the places Dorje Shugden abides is Shambhala.
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🙏🙏🙏 thank you for sharing. Have further understanding and “According to the long fulfilment puja (kangsol) text, Dorje Shugden at the beginning of the puja is called forth from the mystical land of Shambhala, the last great stronghold of the Kalachakra lineage on earth. “