Do Buddhist worship Yidam?
For as long as I can remember the presence or rather the certainty of a Deity seemed or felt self evident. I could understand most viewpoints. However a universe devoid of Deity seemed incomprehensible. Some people knew atheism to be true, were certain of it. Atheism was a valid perception I was not privy to. I had to kill God. Or rather kill the sense of Deity and embrace the Void.
For some Buddhists atheism is their entry point into practice. It comes easily and rationally. My god-kill search began with Richard Dawkins and the vocal atheist education circuit. It was not difficult to find credence with their assertions which were mostly geared to fundamental and largely silly and superstitious literalism. I was already in agreement with most of what they said. How to go that further step? How to find the sense of God, the presence and find its arising and therefore nature?
This is where the benefit of meditation practice comes in. What is the cause, where is the arising? Where is the sense of God coming from? Dependent on our understanding, we can experience it as self or as Self. In other words dependent on a relationship or arising in personal consciousness or an 'arising' independent of arising. Paradox is the nature of God. Talk about crucifixion!
The most fundamental question was always, 'how is the Presence different to the Absence'. Ultimately the Self has to express or find some attachment to the self. Only the highest mystical states involve the absence of the self. No worries for me then. If the self does not experience or attach, or rather is not allowed tenure, God begins to fade. So there it was, I experienced two years of atheism. Not a nice place. Not comforting but true.
Now the question arises, 'can God exist in His Absence'? This is so contrary to common sense it makes Shroedingers cat seem positively koanic. However I was able to introduce a Quantum God. Not there and present. Whatever next?
What is a Yidam?
Yidam is a representation of an enlightened quality, attribute or expression.
Do all Buddhist believe in deities?
No.
Not everyone sees the six realms as literal . . .
What are Yidams used for?
They are used as an embodiment or representation of idealised qualities
Yes, some do.
Not all of them though.
The Shakyamuni Buddha is seen by many as a life of perfected being, enacted and reported for the benefit of lesser sentients. This is similar to the deification of Christ and the status of Mohammed for some, as the 'perfect man' and last prophet. This would be one form of 'deification', much like Caesars and Pharaohs became power based deities. The most recognised Buddhist forms involve denominations heavily influenced by preceding Hindu tantric deities.
How does deity practice practically work?
Here is the mantra part (there is a visualisation) of a typical sadhana.
MIG-MEY TZE-WEY TER-CHEN CHENREZIG
DRI-MEY KHYEN-PI WANG-PO JAMPAL YANG
DU-PUNG MA-LU JOM-DZEY SANG-WEY DAG
GANG-CHEN KE-PEY TSUG-GYEN TSONGKHAPA
LO-SANG TRAG-PEY SHAB-LA SOL-WA DEB
You are Avalokiteshvara - a great treasure of unaimed affection,
Manjushri - a commander of flawless wisdom,
Vajrapani - a destroyer of all hordes of demonic forces,
Tsongkhapa – the crown jewel of the erudite masters
of the Land of Snows,
At your feet, Lozang-dragpa, we make [to] you requests.
Mantra:
Migmey tzeway terchen chenray-zi
Drimey kyenpay wangpo jampel-yang
Dupung malu jomdzay sangway-dag
Gangchen kaypay tzug-gyen tzongkapa
Losang dragpay shabla solwa-deb
MIG ME TSE WAI TER CHEN CHEN RE ZI
Avalokiteshvara, great treasure of immeasurable compassion,
DRI ME KHYEN PE WONG PO JAM PE YANG
Manjushri, Lord of the stainless wisdom,
DU PUNG MA LU JOM DZE SANG WAI DAG
Vajrapani, destroyer of Mara's forces without exception,
GANG CHEN KHE PE TZUG GYEN TSONG KHA PA
Tsong-khapa, crown jewel of the sages of the Land of the Snow,
LO ZANG DRAG PAY ZHAB LA SOL WA DEB
Losang Dragpa, I make requests at your feet.
