Three Sacred Forms of Kalarupa
Three Forms of Kalarupa (Main figures)
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(Top to bottom): Three Forms of Kalarupa and Dorje Shugden
Deity: Kalarupa (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Damchen Chogyal (Tibetan)
Kalarupa arose as the main Dharma Protector of the Yamantaka Tantras. Just like Yamantaka, he is an emanation of Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom. The practice of propitiating Kalarupa is commonly found in the Sakya, Kagyu and Gelug schools. Furthermore, Kalarupa is one of the three Dharma Protectors of the Lamrim tradition, along with Six-Armed Mahakala and Vaishravana. He is propitiated to aid in the study, contemplation and realisation of the lowest scope of the Lamrim teachings. These three protectors were also the special protectors of Lama Tsongkhapa. It is believed that Kalarupa manifested in human form to assist Lama Tsongkhapa during the long months of his arduous retreats. Kalarupa is part of Yamantaka’s retinue and he manifests in three main forms – Outer, Inner, and Secret. Inner and Outer Kalarupa are blue-black in colour while Secret Kalarupa is red in colour. The main form of Kalarupa is the outer Kalarupa and he appears with the face of a buffalo, alongside his consort Chamundi. Kalarupa pledged to eliminate obstacles that obstruct the divine activities of the great Yamantaka.
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 forms of Kalarupa and Dorje Shugden in a rare thangka. Kalarupa, a wrathful emanation of Wisdom Buddha Manjushri, is a universal protector for all Vajrayana Buddhist lineages and is the traditional Protector. Its main benefits are protection from black magic, dispelling of harmful energies and spirits, development of wisdom and overcoming anger, fear, pride and jealousy.
Together with Dorje Shugden who is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri forms a powerful pair in this beautiful thangka. This thangka paints a thousand words.
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