The Reviver of Buddhism in Tibet – Jowo Je Atisha
Atisha Dipamkara Srijnana (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Serlingpa, Green Tara, Jowo Je Atisha and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Atisha Dipamkara Srijnana (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Jowo Je Atisha (Tibetan)
Atisha Dipamkara Srijnana was a great Bengali (Indian) master, who travelled to Tibet in order to translate and propagate Buddhism at a time when the teachings had declined there. He is now known as a reviver of the Buddhist faith in Tibet.
Having spent the majority of his life learning and studying the scriptures, especially during his 12-year stay in the Srivijaya Kingdom of Sumatra (Indonesia) where he focused intensely on teachings on compassion, he was perfectly able to bring about a renaissance of Buddhist practice in Tibet. His heart disciple, Dromtonpa, went on to establish the Kadam School in Tibet.
Atisha’s main yidam or meditational deity was Tara and he had many visions of her. According to his biography, it was Tara who urged him to accept the invitation to travel to Tibet. While he was in Tibet, Atisha became famous for giving many extraordinary teachings. Amongst the many teachings he imparted, he is celebrated for starting the lineage of making wealth vases, for his mind training teachings and for starting the genre of teachings known as the Lamrim, which combine all of the Buddha’s teachings in a graduated path to enlightenment.
Deity: Serlingpa (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Suvarnadvipa Dharmakirti (Sanskrit)
Serlingpa literally means ‘the master from Suvarnadvipa’, which was the ancient Indian name for Sumatra. He had many names including Dharmakirti or Dharmapala. He was regarded as one of the most important of Atisha’s teachers. It is said that Atisha went on a voyage across the vast expense of the Indian Ocean to Sumatra and remained there for 12 years, studying under Serlingpa. He received teachings on Lojong and the generation of Bodhichitta.
Deity: Green Tara (English)
Alternative names: Shyama Tara (Sanskrit); Arya 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. In the Tara Tantras, it is said that she was a Bodhisattva disciple of the Buddha of another world system. Her name was Yeshe Dawa and she had deep faith in the Buddha of that world system and made tremendous offerings to him. She also went to receive teachings and engaged in deep meditations as well, and pledged to become enlightened and assist others in a female form. At one time, she received a special teaching on the development of Bodhicitta – the infinitely compassionate mental state of a Bodhisattva. She is the Buddha that was relied upon by many great Indian and Tibetan masters.
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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