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| − | [[File:Mahakala-32b814a.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | + | #REDIRECT [[Mahakala]] |
| − | <poem>
| + | {{SanskritTerminology}} |
| − | [[Mahākāla]] ([[Sanskrit]]) is a [[Dharmapala]] ("[[protector]] of [[Dharma]]") in [[Vajrayana Buddhism]], and a [[deity]] in {{Wiki|Chinese}} and [[Japanese]] [[Buddhism]], particularly in [[The Vajrayana]] school. He is known as [[Daheitian]] ([[大黑天]]) in {{Wiki|Chinese}} and [[Daikokuten]] ([[大黒天]]) in [[Japanese]]. [[Mahākāla]] belongs to the fourth {{Wiki|hierarchy}} of [[deities]].
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| − | In [[Hinduism]], [[Mahakala]] is a [[name]] of [[Shiva]] (as, for example, at the [[Shiva]] [[temple]] in [[Ujjain]] that is more than once mentioned by {{Wiki|Kālidāsa}}), but it is also a [[name]] of one of his principal {{Wiki|attendants}} ([[Sanskrit]]: gaṇa): along with [[Wikipedia:Nandi (bull)|Nandi]], which is one of [[Wikipedia:Shiva|Shiva's]] watchmen, and so is often represented outside the main doorway of early [[North]] [[Indian]] [[temples]].
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| − | [[Name]]
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| − | [[Mahakala]] is relied upon in all schools of [[Tibetan Buddhism]] and is depicted in a number of variations, each with distinctly different qualities and aspects. He is also regarded as the [[emanation]] of different [[beings]] in different cases, though he is best known as a [[wrathful]] [[manifestation]] of [[Avalokiteshvara]], the [[Bodhisattva]] of [[Compassion]]. He is a [[Dharmapala]] ([[Dharma Protector]]) and one of the eight main [[Dharmapalas]], alongside [[Yama]], [[Yamantaka]], [[Hayagriva]], [[Vaisravana]], [[Palden Lhamo]], [[Tshangspa Dkarpo]], and [[Begste]].
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| − | [[Mahakala]] is typically black in {{Wiki|color}}. Just as all colors are absorbed and dissolved into black, all names and [[forms]] are said to melt into those of [[Mahakala]], [[symbolizing]] his all-embracing, comprehensive [[nature]]. Black can also represent the total absence of {{Wiki|color}}, and again in this case it {{Wiki|signifies}} the [[nature]] of [[Mahakala]] as [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] or [[absolute]] [[reality]].
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| − | [[Mahakala]] is almost always depicted with a {{Wiki|crown}} of five skulls, which represent the five [[Wisdom]].
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| − | The most notable variation in [[Mahakala's]] [[manifestations]] and depictions is in the number of arms, but other details can vary as well. For instance, in some cases there are [[Mahakalas]] in white, with multiple heads, without genitals, [[standing]] on varying numbers of various things, holding various implements, with alternative adornments, and so on.
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| − | In [[Hinduism]], [[Mahakala]] is a [[name]] of [[Shiva]] (Great [[Time]]), but is also the [[name]] of one of [[Shiva's]] principal attendents, or [[ganas]]. He is also one of [[Shiva's]] watchmen, along with [[Wikipedia:Nandi (bull)|Nandi]].
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| − | In [[Japan]] he is called [[Daikokuten]] and is one of the [[Seven Lucky Gods]]. In this [[incarnation]], he is suprisingly less violent and is more {{Wiki|benevolent}} towards [[humans]]. He is also associated with the [[Shinto]] [[God]] [[Okuninushi]] and [[Dakiniten]] is also associated with him.
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| − | His [[Art]] in [[Shin]] Megami Tensei might be based off of the Six-Armed aspect of [[Mahakala]], or [[Sanmen Daikoku]], a sword-wielding guardian aspect of [[Daikokuten]] with three heads and six arms.
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| − | [[Mahākāla]] is a [[Sanskrit]] bahuvrihi of [[mahā]] ([[महत्]]; "[[great]]") and [[kāla]] ([[काल]]; "[[black]]"). The literal [[Tibetan]] translation is "[[Nagpo Chenpo]]" ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[ནག་པོ་ཆེན་པོ།]]}}) though, when referring to this [[deity]], [[Tibetans]] usually use the [[word]] "[[Goinbo]]" ({{BigTibetan|[[མགོན་པོ།]]}}—the translation of the [[Sanskrit]] [[word]] [[Nāth]] meaning "[[Lord]]" or "[[protector]]") instead.
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| − | Description
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| − | [[Mahākāla]] is relied upon in all schools of [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. However, he is depicted in a number of variations, each with distinctly different qualities and aspects. He is also regarded as the [[emanation]] of different [[beings]] in different cases, namely [[Avalokiteshvara]] (Tib: [[spyan ras gzigs]]) or [[Chakrasamvara]] (Tib: [[Korlo Demchog]], Wylie: ’[[khor lo bde mchog]]).
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| − | [[Mahākāla]] is typically black in {{Wiki|color}}. Just as all colors are absorbed and dissolved into black, all names and [[forms]] are said to melt into those of [[Mahakala]], [[symbolizing]] his all-embracing, comprehensive [[nature]]. Black can also represent the total absence of {{Wiki|color}}, and again in this case it {{Wiki|signifies}} the [[nature]] of [[Mahakala]] as [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] or [[absolute]] [[reality]]. This [[principle]] is known in [[Sanskrit]] as "[[nirguna]]", [[beyond]] all quality and [[Form]], and it is typified by both interpretations.
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| − | [[Mahākāla]] is almost always depicted with a {{Wiki|crown}} of five skulls, which represent the transmutation of the five [[Kleshas]] (negative [[Afflictions]]) into The [[Five Wisdoms]].
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| − | The most notable variation in [[Mahākāla's]] [[manifestations]] and depictions is in the number of arms, but other details can vary as well. For instance, in some cases there are [[Mahakalas]] in white, with multiple heads, without genitals, [[standing]] on varying numbers of various things, holding various implements, with alternative adornments, and so on.
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| − | [[Manifestations]]
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| − | Six-Armed [[Mahākāla]]
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| − | [[File:Mahakala-tserang.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
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| − | [[Nyingshuk]] came from [[Khyungpo Naljor]], the founder of the [[Shangpa Kagyu]], and spread to all the [[lineages]]—[[Sakya]], [[Nyingma]], and [[Geluk]], as well as various [[Kagyu]] [[lineages]]. There are also [[Terma]] [[lineages]] of various [[forms]] of [[Six Armed Mahākāla]]. [[Nyinghsuk]], though derived from the [[Shangpa]], is not the major [[Shangpa]] one—it's in a [[Dancing]] [[posture]], rather than [[standing]] straight up, and is a very advanced [[Mahakala]] practice.
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| − | There is also a [[White Six-Armed Mahakala]] (Skt: [[Shad-bhuja Sita Mahakala]]; Tib. Wylie: [[mGon po yid bzhin nor bu]]) popular among {{Wiki|Mongolian}} [[Gelugpas]].
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| − | [[Four-Armed Mahākāla]]
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| − | Various [[Four-armed Mahākālas]] (Skt. [[Chatur-bhuja Mahākāla]], Tib. Wylie: [[mGon po phyag bzhi pa]]) are the [[primary]] [[Protectors]] of the [[Karma Kagyu]], [[Drikung]] [[Kagyu]] and the [[Drukpa Lineage]] of [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. A [[four-armed Mahākāla]] is also found in the [[Nyingma school]], although the [[primary]] [[protector]] of the [[Great Perfection]] (Skt: [[Mahasandhi]], Tib. [[Dzogchen]]) teachings which are the pinnacle of the [[Nyingma]] system which.
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| − | [[Two-Armed Mahākālas]]
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| − | The two-armed [[Mahākāla]] called [[Bernakchen]] ([[Black Coat]]) is a [[protector]] of the [[Karma Kagyu]] school, although he derives from [[Nyingma]] [[Terma]] and was adopted by the [[Karma Kagyu]] during the [[time]] of [[2nd Karmapa]], [[Karma Pakshi]]. He is often depicted with his [[consort]] [[Rangjung Gyalmo]]. (He is often [[Thought]] to be the [[primary]] [[protector]], but he is actually the main [[protector]] of the [[Karmapas]] specifically. [[Mahākāla Chakshipa]], a [[four-armed Mahakala]], is technically the [[primary]] [[protector]]. [[Chakdrupa]], a [[six-armed Mahakala]], is also common in the [[Kagyu]].)
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| − | [[Panjaranatha Mahākāla]], "[[Lord of Charms]]" or "[[Lord of the Pavilion]]", an [[emanation]] of [[Manjushri]] is a [[protector]] of the [[Sakya]] order.
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| − | [[Mahākāla]] in [[Japan]]
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| − | [[File:Mahakala6.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
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| − | [[Japanese]] [[Daikokuten]]
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| − | [[Mahākāla]] (known as [[Daikokuten]] [[大黑天]]) enjoys an [[exalted]] position as a household [[deity]] in [[Japan]], as he is one of the [[Seven Lucky Gods]] in [[Japanese]] {{Wiki|folklore}}. [[Mahākāla's]] association with [[Wealth]] and {{Wiki|prosperity}} gave rise to a strange {{Wiki|custom}} known as [[Fuku-nusubi]]. This {{Wiki|custom}} started with the [[belief]] that one who stole [[divine]] figures ([[gods]] and [[goddesses]]) was assured of good [[Fortune]], if not caught in the act of [[stealing]]. In the course of [[time]], [[stealing]] of [[divine]] images became so common a practice in [[Japan]] that the [[Toshi-no-ichi]] or the ‘[[year-end-market]]’ held in the [[Asakusa Kannon]] [[temple]] became the main venue of the sale and disposal of such images by the [[Fortune]]-seekers. Many small stalls were opened where articles including images of [[Mahakala]] were sold on the eve of New Year {{Wiki|celebrations}}.
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| − | The [[Japanese]] also use the [[Symbol]] of [[Mahākāla]] as a monogram. The [[traditional]] [[pilgrims]] climbing the {{Wiki|holy}} [[Mount Ontake]] wear [[tenugui]] on white [[Japanese]] scarves with the [[Sanskrit]] [[seed syllable]] of [[Mahākāla]].
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| − | In [[Japan]], this [[deity]] is variously considered to be the [[God of Wealth]], or of the household, particularly the kitchen. He is recognised by his wide face, [[smile]], and a flat black hat, in stark contrast to the fierce [[imagery]] portrayed in [[Tibetan Buddhist]] [[Art]]. He is often portrayed holding a golden mallet, otherwise known as a [[magic]] [[money]] mallet, and is seen seated on bales of {{Wiki|rice}}, with mice nearby (mice signify plentiful [[Food]]).
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| − | </poem>
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| − | {{W}}
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| − | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]]
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| − | [[Category:Mahākāla]]
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