Mewa 4 Birth Buddha: Vajrapani
Introduction
Vajrapani (Tib: phyag-na rDo-rje; ཕྱག་ན་རྡོ་རྗེ།) is the physical representation of the power of all the Buddhas and is practiced in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
He represents the energy of the enlightened mind, which is the energy to break through the deluded mind, and his mantra is the essence of this quality.
Benefits
- Gives protection
- Clears inner and outer obstacles
History
Vajrapani is known as the King of Yakshas. He is said to have been a yaksha, a class of nature spirit or demon, before pledging his loyalty to protect the Buddha’s teachings.
The ‘Collection of Long Discourses‘ tells the story of a young Brahmin named Ambattha who was rude to the Buddha by refusing to answer the Buddha’s questions. After refusing twice, he was reminded of a traditional belief that should one refuse to answer the questions of an enlightened being three times, the person’s head would be split in seven pieces. Vajrapani then appeared, which terrified Ambattha, who then promptly answered the Buddha’s questions.
Vajrapani is also one of the three main figures to be entrusted with tantric teachings by Buddha Shakyamuni, the other two being Manjushri and Chenrezig. It is said that on one occasion during the Buddha’s lifetime, when Devadatta attempted to kill the Buddha by rolling a large boulder down a hillside, Vajrapani stood in front of the Buddha and split the boulder into two. After this incident, the Buddha entrusted Vajrapani to protect the practices of Tantra. He then became known as ‘The Lord of Secrets’, the Protector of tantric teachings.
Iconography
Vajrapani manifests in a wrathful form and is dark blue in color. He is pictured dancing wildly, standing in a warrior’s pose surrounded by a halo of wisdom flames which represent the transformative power of Awakening. He has three eyes which show his ability to comprehend the past, present and future.
He holds a vajra in his right hand which symbolizes his skilful means in guiding practitioners on the path to Enlightenment as well as the indestructible power of Vajrapani’s wrath, which is capable of destroying all negativities and delusions. In his left hand, he holds a lasso which is used to bind demons and obstructing forces.
Prayer
Note: This short prayer can be recited daily on its own or as part of a longer set of prayers.
The combined power and energy of all the Buddhas,
Supreme holder of the treasure of the Secret Teachings,
Subjugator of all maras and obscurers without exception;
I praise and pay homage to Vajrapani
DE SHEG THU TOP CHIG DU SHING
SANG WA NGAG KYI DZO DZIN CHOG
DU GEG MA LU DUL DZE PA
DORJE DZIN LA CHAG TSEL TÖ
Mantra: OM BENZAPANI HUNG
(Recite 108 times or more)
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Thanks for the information on Mewa 4. Was delighted to read and seek some guidance. Wish if some guidance is provided in more details to overcome all the problems in life and gain some peace, happiness and spirit upon life. Namo Buddhay 🙏🙏🙏
Namastey.
Iam interested to take initiation of vajrapani.
Have searched for any events in Nov & Dec 2022 in net, but could not find.
Recovering from Heart problem. Please help.
Regards,
Balasubrahmanyam
Chennai,India
My birth date is 12 sept 1987
My wife birth date is 14 October 1998
My mom birth date is 1965
It’s 1 year 4 month is my marriage
But wife don’t want to leave with my mom she don’t respect she has rude behavior for mom she don’t want any kind of interfare in her job from mom and mom is only upset she don’t reply feel sad inside
Why is this
What should do I
Interestingly I have The Tiger as my primary spiritual animal totem, and of course Vajrapani wears a tiger skin apron. Though in the Chinese zodiac I am a metal rat, and in the Native American Indian Zodiac I am a Snow Goose with a Birch Tree as my plant totem and clear crystal, turquoise and diamond as my mineral protectors. In addition, my Uncle Jack was a wildlife biologist at the University of Georgia at Athens specializing herpetology so I have a connection to the Nagas through him.