Vajrasattva – a Powerful Deity for Purification
Vajrasattva (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Buddha Amitabha, Buddha Samantabhadra, Vajrasattva, Vajrakilaya and Dorje Shugden.
The Buddha Vajrasattva first appeared in ancient India and his tantric practice centres primarily upon the purification of delusions and negative karma. Like many other Buddhas within Vajrayana Buddhism, Vajrasattva has a number of popular forms and is relied on as a meditational deity (‘Yidam’ in Tibetan or ‘Ishtadevata’ in Sanskrit).
The most common and popular form of Vajrasattva is known as ‘Solitary Universal Monarch.’ Vajrasattva as a figure is mentioned in the Mahavairocana Tantra and the Vajrasekhara Sutra. However, the Vajrasattva Root Tantra is known as Dorje Gyan or “Vajra Ornament”. Vajrasattva is regarded as the inner form of Buddha Vajradhara, who is the tantric form of Buddha Shakyamuni, and represents all the Buddha Families. In another form, Vajrasattva appears embracing a consort. This form arises from the class of Anuttarayoga Tantra, specifically from the 25th chapter of the Abhidhanottara Tantra and is known as the practice of Heruka Vajrasattva. In the Nyingma order, Vajrasattva is an important meditational deity and the most famous lineage of Vajrasattva originates from the Mindroling Monastery Tradition commonly known as the Min-ling Dor-sem.
Vajrasattva is a popular purification practice and thus relied on heavily by all schools of Tibetan Buddhism, especially in relations to Ngondro or the preparatory practices to receiving advance teachings on Tantra. Each practice like that of Vajrasattva requires practitioners to engage in a retreat of a 100,000 repetitions. In this case, it is Vajrasattva’s mantra that is recited, complete with the necessary prayers, liturgies and offerings. Higher Tantric practice requires a tremendous amount of merit to practice as it is a fast paced method towards enlightened. Hence, the path is often fraught with obstacles due to our negative habituation and karma. Purification practices like Vajrasattva are essential in preparing the mind to practice so it has less obstacles.
In Buddhism, complete purification requires what is known as the four opponent powers, which are (i) regret, (ii) refuge, (iii) remedy and (iv) the promise not to repeat the negative action again. Vajrasattva as a deity can be relied upon as a worthy object of refuge as he is fully enlightened being and his practice is remedial in purifying our negative karma. The practitioner begins the purification practice by developing deep regret for negative actions by having a sound understanding of karma and its effects. After realising the root cause of suffering lies in our actions, we make a heartfelt promise not to repeat the same negative actions. In adhering to the four opponent powers, we purify karma right to the root and thereby remove all imprints and traces of our negative actions. When we have sufficiently purified our karma, we find that our minds are lighter, clearer and able to understand the teachings at a deeper level and we are also able to gain a lasting spiritual realisation of the teachings.
Buddha Amitabha is one of the Five Dhyani Buddhas and resides in his Western paradise of Sukhavati where practitioners with deep faith and those endowed with merit can take rebirth in order to continue practicing the path to become a fully enlightened being. He represents the awakened aggregate of mental discernment and purifies desire, hence he is red in colour. He is also deeply connected with the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden as he resides on the highest floor of Dorje Shugden’s mandala. Hence, all who rely on Dorje Shugden for assistance against their obstacles and negative karma are also spiritually connected with Buddha Amitabha. On the other hand, Vajrakilaya is a wrathful emanation of Vajrasattva and is considered the main practice within some Nyingma and Sakya traditions.
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Beautiful thangka of Vajrasattva, with Buddha Amitabha, Buddha SamantabhadraVajrakilaya and Dorje Shugden paints a thousands words. Good to have one in our home, merely looking at it is a blessing. Vajrasattva is an important figure in the tantric Buddhism while Dorje Shugden is the is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri. On the other hand Buddha Amitabha is one of the Five Dhyani Buddhas. Vajrasattva is a powerful deity for purification.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing with explanation for us to understand better.
Wow…….amazing art thangka of Vajrasattva, with Buddha Amitabha, Buddha SamantabhadraVajrakilaya and Dorje Shugden. Vajrasattva is a supreme Buddhist deity who delineates the purity of the enlightened mind.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.