The Secret Female Tantric Lady in Red
Naro Kechari (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Phagmo Namzhabma, Maitri Kechari, Indra Kechari, Vajraghona Vajravarahi, Vajra Yogini, Cittipati, Four-Faced Mahakala and Dorje Shugden.
Deity: Vajra Yogini (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Naro Kechari (Sanskrit); Dorje Neljorma (Tibetan)
Vajra Yogini is a female tantric Buddha who has many forms and is practised in many lineages within Tibetan Buddhism. She embodies the fully enlightened female aspect of a Buddha and her path of practice is considered a Mother Tantra, meaning her practitioners concentrate on the wisdom aspect leading to Buddhahood. She is also a principal dakini, the compassionate female guide and nurturer of tantric meditation who leads practitioners to enlightenment. Her practice arose from a pure vision beheld by the Mahasiddha Naropa, which is why she is sometimes called Naro Kechari, meaning Naropa’s Dakini. ‘Naro’ here refers to Naropa and ‘kacho’ is a Tibetan word referring to the dakini from Kechara. Kechara is Vajra Yogini’s pure land where she resides. Vajra Yogini is the principal female Buddha of the Chakrasamvara Tantra and therefore, she is normally depicted in union with Heruka Chakrasamvara.
Vajra Yogini is also considered a Vajradakini, who are yidams or meditational deities in their own right. Their practices evolved from the main practices of their male consorts, but in a form that simplifies an otherwise complicated original practice by reducing it to a single-deity meditation without sacrificing the main benefits and features of the original. Vajra Yogini is a supreme deity that is equal to all the other higher tantric deities that confer enlightenment to within one lifetime, even though she appears as a single deity.
Vajra Yogini is also known as ‘Sarvabuddha-dakini’ or the Dakini Who is the Essence of all Buddhas. Her mantra is commonly referred to as the King of All Mantras because mere recitation of the mantra alone, without any accompanying visualisation or meditation, has the most powerful ability to bless practitioners with spiritual attainments. Within the generation stage of her practice, there are 11 Yogas which have the power of transforming ordinary actions like sleeping, waking and daily tasks into activities that generate spiritual merit. Ultimately, her practice offers salvation for ordinary practitioners at the time of death through her special promise of guiding practitioners towards Kechara, or the Paradise of the Dakinis. There, we can continue deep practices on the journey to become a Buddha in an accelerated manner, without fear, obstacles and interruptions.
Deity: Phagmo Namzhabma (Tibetan)
A derivative form of Vajra Yogini as witnessed by the great mahasiddha Maitripa in a pure vision. An entire sadhana and meditation arose from this form which is different from the Naro Kechari. Nevertheless, the Buddha deity is essentially the same. This form holds one leg in the air.
Deity: Maitri Kechari (Sanskrit)
A derivative form of Vajra Yogini as witnessed by the great mahasiddha Maitripa in a pure vision. An entire sadhana and meditation arose from this form which is different from the Naro Kechari. Nevertheless, the Buddha deity is essentially the same. This form is also known as the Flying Vajra Yogini as she is depicted in mid-flight.
Deity: Indra Kechari (Sanskrit)
A derivative form of Vajra Yogini as witnessed by the great mahasiddha Indrabodhi in a pure vision. An entire sadhana and meditation arose from this form which is different from the Naro Kechari. Nevertheless, the Buddha deity is essentially the same. This form looks straight towards us, and her right leg is bent in a dancing pose. She has the head of sow on top of her own head.
Deity: Vajraghona Vajravarahi (Sanskrit)
A derivative form of Vajra Yogini in the warrior-stance and included within the Rinjung Gyatsa collection of Sadhanas and part of the Yamari mandala. An entire sadhana and meditation arose from this form which is different from the Naro Kechari. Nevertheless, the Buddha deity is essentially the same. This form has a pig’s face and has four arms instead of the usual two. Her additional implements include a vajra-hook and a noose.
Deity: Cittipati (Sanskrit)
The skeletal protector couple is also known as the Lord and Lady of the Charnel Grounds. They are special emanations of Heruka and Vajra Yogini especially potent in protecting since practitioners of the Vajra Yogini Tantras.
Deity: Four-Faced Mahakala (English)
Alternative names: Chaturmukha Mahakala (Sanskrit); Gonpo Shel Shi (Tibetan)
Four-Faced Mahakala is a Dharma protector associated explicitly with the Vajra Yogini Tantras and is propitiated by Vajra Yogini practitioners for spiritual protection and for the granting of material necessities so that they can concentrate on their spiritual practice. Four-Faced Mahakala has a very close connection with Dorje Shugden. In his previous lives as great lamas, Dorje Shugden as a lama relied on Four-Faced Mahakala as one of his primary protectors.
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 art thangka of the secret female tantric lady in red Vajra Yogini depicting with Phagmo Namzhabma, Maitri Kechari, Indra Kechari, Vajraghona Vajravarahi, Cittipati, Four-Faced Mahakala and Dorje Shugden. Vajrayoginī is a Tantric Buddhist female Buddha who has many forms and is practised in many lineages within Tibetan Buddhism.
Thank you Rinpoche for this short sharing and explaining each of the deities .