Difference between revisions of "Female deities"
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− | The female deities of Buddhism are of many types. There are buddhas in female form and goddesses who are bodhisattvas. There are also historical figures such as lineage founders, and they all can function as deities. There are also yidams and dharma protectors in peaceful, semi-wrathful or wrathful form. The dakini, a special type of deity, is discussed separately. | + | |
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+ | The [[female deities]] of [[Buddhism]] are of many types. | ||
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+ | There are [[buddhas]] in {{Wiki|female}} [[form]] and [[goddesses]] who are [[bodhisattvas]]. There are also historical figures such as [[lineage]] founders, and they all can [[function]] as [[deities]]. | ||
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+ | There are also [[yidams]] and [[dharma protectors]] in [[peaceful]], [[semi-wrathful]] or [[wrathful]] [[form]]. | ||
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+ | The [[dakini]], a special type of [[deity]], is discussed separately. | ||
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What follows is not a definitive catalogue, by any means. | What follows is not a definitive catalogue, by any means. | ||
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− | Kurukulla and magic. | + | |
− | Kwan Yin (Perceiver of Sounds) [Cantonese: Goong Yam] is a Chinese form of the bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara that is considered to be female. In Japanese, she is called Kannon or Shokanzeon Bosatsu [bosatsu = bodhisattva;] in Korean, Kwanseum Bosal or Kwan Um. | + | |
− | Professor Yu Chun-fang, wrote the interesting "Ambiguity of Avalokites'vara and Scriptural Sources for the Cult of Kuen-yin in China" article which is no longer found online. Her thesis is supported not only by one of the most gorgeously spectacular so-called Kuan Yin images, in which we clearly see the male origin, is a Chinese 10th-century life-sized image of painted wood known as The Water and Moon Kuan-Yin Bodhisattva at the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. | + | The best known of the {{Wiki|female}} [[Tibetan Buddhist]] [[deities]] is [[Tara]]. |
− | and The Creation of Goddess of Mercy ... that relates how she was once a princess (Chin. miao shan,) one of three sisters. Tired of the politics and conflict of palace life, she resolves to become a hermit and eventually benefits beings by becoming one of the Immortals/a bodhisattva, | + | |
− | Lamanteri is the Mongolian, 8-armed, semi-wrathful form of Green Tara who is sometimes depicted with the 21 aspects of the Praises to Tara surrounding her. | + | [[Arya]] [[Sanskrit]] for [[Exalted]] or [[Noble] [[Tara]], is best known in two [[forms]], White and [[Green]]. |
− | Machig Lapdron: White, dancing dakini, sky-clad but for her bone ornaments, holding a medium-sized drum in her raised right hand. | + | |
− | Magzor Gyalmo (Queen of the Army) is the younger sister who attends Palden Lhamo (Skt. Shri Devi.) She rides a horse, attended by animal-headed dakinis. | + | [[Tara]] is a [[Buddha]] who is depicted in various ways that reflect her [[activity]]. |
− | Mandarava: considered a speech emanation of Vajravarahi, she is the first wife of Padmasambhava. Besides her and Yeshe Tsogyal (Dechen Gyalmo) who function as deities, there are other consorts. | + | |
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+ | She can be [[peaceful]] or [[semi-wrathful]]; alone or surrounded by 21 [[manifestations]] or aspects. | ||
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+ | Besides [[Green Tara]] and her several aspects that are generally designated by {{Wiki|colour}}, some other {{Wiki|distinctive}} [[female deities]] are: | ||
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+ | [[Achi Chokyi Drolma]], is the [[peaceful]] white [[Drikung Kagyu protector]] on her blue mule or, sometimes, a blue-maned [[snow lion]]. | ||
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+ | [[Chintamani]]: The [[Wishful-filling Jewel]] [[form]] of [[Tara]] who is also a [[protector]]. | ||
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+ | [[Dorje Yudronma]]: ([[Vajra Turquoise Lamp]]) the [[Longchen Nyinthig lineage]]-[[protector]] who bears an arrow tied with five-coloured silks in her right hand and a {{Wiki|divination}} [[mirror]] in her left. | ||
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+ | In the [[life]] of [[yogi]], [[Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu]], she appeared when he was starving and [[offered]] him [[food]]. | ||
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+ | [[Ekajati]] or [[Ekadzati]] (Tib. [[Ralchikma]] or [[Tsechikma]]) is the [[Nyingma Dzogchen protector of mantras]] ([[Ngag Sungma]]) and [[mind-treasure]] (Tib. [[terma]]) whose [[epithet]], "One Braid" (or, plait) refers to her initially {{Wiki|terrifying}} [[appearance]] since she has only one [[eye]], one tooth, one {{Wiki|breast}} and so on. | ||
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+ | [[Five Great Goddesses]]: | ||
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+ | These (Skt. [[Maha-pancha Devi]]) appear in the entourage of [[White Vajradarana]]. | ||
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+ | They include the source of all [[earthly]] [[wealth]] as [[Pratishara]] (Tib. [[So.sor trang. ma]]), who is [[yellow]] with three faces and ten hands; | ||
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+ | [[Sita Sitavani]]) [[red]] with four hands, [[Mayuri]] who is [[green]] with one face and two hands, | ||
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+ | [[Sahasra.pramardana]], blue with one face and six hands, and [[Mantra manu dharani]], black with one face and four hands. | ||
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+ | [[Kalasiddhi]] was one of the [[consorts of Guru Rinpoche]]. | ||
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+ | [[Kurukulla]] is a 4-armed [[dancing]] [[red Tara]], an archer whose [[bow]] made of [[flowers]] relates to the subjugation of [[ego]] and the use of love/attraction in the service of [[dharma]]. | ||
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+ | [[Hrih]] is her [[seed syllable]] and her [[mantra]]: | ||
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+ | Om [[Kurukulle]] [[hri]] [[svaha]]! | ||
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+ | A possible origin? [[Karaikal]] is a town near Pondicherry, [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]. | ||
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+ | [[Punitavatiyar]] ([[Karaikalam.maiyar]]) was an early 7th century [[siddhari]] who requested that [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] divest her of the [[burden]] of her beautiful [[form]]. | ||
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+ | She was [[transformed]] into a crone to be able to devote herself completely. | ||
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+ | [[Kurukulla]] and [[magic]]. | ||
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+ | [[Kwan Yin]] ([[Perceiver of Sounds]]) [[Cantonese]]: [[Goong Yam]] is a {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[form]] of the [[bodhisattva]], [[Avalokiteshvara]] that is considered to be {{Wiki|female}}. | ||
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+ | In [[Japanese]], she is called [[Kannon]] or [[Shokanzeon Bosatsu]] [[bosatsu]] = [[bodhisattva]];] in [[Korean]], [[Kwanseum Bosal]] or [[Kwan Um]]. | ||
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+ | {{Wiki|Professor}} [[Yu Chun-fang]], wrote the [[interesting]] "{{Wiki|Ambiguity}} of [[Avalokites'vara]] and [[Scriptural]] Sources for the {{Wiki|Cult}} of [[Kuen-yin]] in [[China]]" article which is no longer found online. | ||
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+ | Her {{Wiki|thesis}} is supported not only by one of the most gorgeously spectacular so-called [[Kuan Yin]] images, in which we clearly see the {{Wiki|male}} origin, is a {{Wiki|Chinese}} 10th-century life-sized image of painted [[wood]] known as The [[Water]] and [[Moon]] [[Kuan-Yin]] [[Bodhisattva]] at the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City, {{Wiki|Missouri}}, {{Wiki|USA}}. | ||
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+ | and The Creation of [[Goddess of Mercy]] ... that relates how she was once a {{Wiki|princess}} ([[Chin]]. [[miao shan]],) one of three sisters. | ||
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+ | Tired of the {{Wiki|politics}} and conflict of palace [[life]], she resolves to become a [[hermit]] and eventually benefits [[beings]] by becoming one of the [[Immortals]]/a [[bodhisattva]], | ||
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+ | [[Lamanteri]] is the [[Wikipedia:Mongolian language|Mongolian]], [[8-armed, semi-wrathful form of Green Tara]] who is sometimes depicted with the 21 aspects of the Praises to [[Tara]] surrounding her. | ||
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+ | [[Machig Lapdron]]: White, [[dancing]] [[dakini]], [[sky-clad]] but for her [[bone ornaments]], holding a medium-sized [[drum]] in her raised right hand. | ||
+ | [[Magzor Gyalmo]] ({{Wiki|Queen}} of the {{Wiki|Army}}) is the younger sister who attends [[Palden Lhamo]] (Skt. [[Shri Devi]].) | ||
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+ | She rides a [[horse]], attended by animal-headed [[dakinis]]. | ||
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+ | [[Mandarava]]: considered a [[speech emanation of Vajravarahi]], she is the [[first wife of Padmasambhava]]. | ||
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+ | Besides her and [[Yeshe Tsogyal]] ([[Dechen Gyalmo]]) who [[function]] as [[deities]], there are other [[consorts]]. | ||
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[[File:18 armed cundi.jpeg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:18 armed cundi.jpeg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
− | Marichi (Ozer Chenma) is reddish-gold with 8 arms. She is the embodiment of sunrise or dawn. As a form of Tara, she is depicted standing, one pair of hands holding a needle and thread. She is also identified with Vajravarahi (Dorje Pa'mo.) | + | [[Marichi]] ([[Ozer Chenma]]) is reddish-gold with 8 arms. |
− | Her most widely found image is the one with three faces, one of which is that of a sow, in which she drives a cart pulled by seven swine. Marici's seven-swine cart may derive from the Indian myth that describes Surya's vehicle as drawn by seven horses. Her practice may also derive from that of the Vedic dawn goddess, Ushas. She is also comparable to the Greek goddess, Eos, who daily went out to rouse both Day and Night in her chariot drawn by a number of horses. The multiple animals might relate to the fact that in ancient times, the sun appeared rather differently, accompanied by lesser lights. | + | |
− | The very promise of dawn, Marichi, "who holds the night," is invoked by travelers for protection from robbers and other hazards of the road: | + | She is the [[embodiment]] of sunrise or dawn. As a [[form]] of [[Tara]], she is depicted [[standing]], one pair of hands holding a needle and thread. |
− | Marichi alone. | + | |
− | Tantric Buddhists tell of Marichi's determination in the manner of Tara. Taoists see her as Queen of Heaven, and the Japanese, as Amaterasu, the sun goddess. | + | She is also identified with [[Vajravarahi]] ([[Dorje Pa'mo]].) |
− | Her origin lies in early Indian scriptures such as The Laws of Manu (Skt. Manava Dharma Shastra) and the Puranas, where Marichi is one of 10 Prajapatis or primal parents /chief of the Maruts produced from the mind of Brahma. In this male aspect, Marichi is father of Surya, the sun and (with his wife Sambhuti) also of Kashyapa 'Old Tortoise Man' one of the seven primordial sages. Thus, Marici, the beam of divine light that initiates creation of the physical world is not only illumination in a physical but also in the spiritual sense. | + | |
− | This 'illuminating' aspect of Marichi (Ozer Chenma: Queen of Light) is emphasized in an 17th century tangka of the Karma Kagyu at Himalayan Art where she is crowned by a stupa, and instead of driving, she is seated on a great sow with her seven piglets. In the above link, an accompanying Sakya verse emphasizes her ability to dispel the fears of the night. | + | |
− | Sometimes animals other than piglets are depicted drawing her chariot. | + | Her most widely found image is the one with three faces, one of which is that of a sow, in which she drives a cart pulled by seven swine. |
− | (The third [male] incarnation of the Jain founder is also called Marichi.) | + | |
− | Manimekhala "Jewel-girdled." Protector of seafarers, this South Indian Buddhist deity is also associated with lightning. She was popularized in Burma and Thailand. | + | [[Marici's]] seven-swine cart may derive from the [[Indian]] [[myth]] that describes [[Surya's]] [[vehicle]] as drawn by seven [[horses]]. |
− | Nairatmya 'One Absent-of-any-Self' is a sky-blue or dark-blue yidam and the consort of Hevajra. The wife of Marpa the Translator, and mentor of Milarepa was named for her. | + | |
− | Palden Lhamo: | + | Her practice may also derive from that of the {{Wiki|Vedic}} dawn [[goddess]], [[Ushas]]. |
− | Prajnaparamita (Yum Chenmo) embodies the Supreme Wisdom of the Emptiness Teaching. She is golden and is readily identified by the books that sit atop the lotuses, one on each side of her, at the level of her head. These sutras after which she is named are called by Nagarjuna (2nd century CE,) The Mother of Buddhas. | + | |
− | Sakya (Tib. pron. Sacha) Dema or Belmo Sakya Devi: See Guru Rinpoche's consorts. | + | |
− | Salgye Du Dalma: Dakini who affords protection and insight during sacred sleep/dream yoga. "She who clarifies beyond conception" sits on a blue four-petaled lotus. She is seen as a luminous drop (Skt. bindu, Tib. tigle). | + | She is also comparable to the {{Wiki|Greek}} [[goddess]], Eos, who daily went out to rouse both Day and Night in her [[chariot]] drawn by a number of [[horses]]. |
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+ | The multiple [[animals]] might relate to the fact that in {{Wiki|ancient}} times, the {{Wiki|sun}} appeared rather differently, accompanied by lesser lights. | ||
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+ | The very promise of dawn, [[Marichi]], "who holds the night," is invoked by travelers for [[protection]] from {{Wiki|robbers}} and other hazards of the road: | ||
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+ | Om, [[Marichi]] [[swaha]]. | ||
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+ | [[Marichi]] alone. | ||
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+ | [[Tantric]] [[Buddhists]] tell of [[Marichi's]] [[determination]] in the [[manner]] of [[Tara]]. | ||
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+ | {{Wiki|Taoists}} see her as {{Wiki|Queen}} of [[Heaven]], and the [[Japanese]], as {{Wiki|Amaterasu}}, the {{Wiki|sun}} [[goddess]]. | ||
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+ | Her origin lies in early [[Indian]] [[scriptures]] such as The [[Laws of Manu]] (Skt. [[Manava Dharma Shastra]]) and the {{Wiki|Puranas}}, where [[Marichi]] is one of 10 [[Prajapatis]] or primal [[parents]] /chief of the {{Wiki|Maruts}} produced from the [[mind]] of [[Brahma]]. | ||
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+ | In this {{Wiki|male}} aspect, [[Marichi]] is father of [[Surya]], the {{Wiki|sun}} and (with his wife [[Sambhuti]]) also of [[Kashyapa]] '[[Old Tortoise Man]]' one of the seven [[primordial]] [[sages]]. | ||
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+ | Thus, [[Marici]], the beam of [[divine]] [[light]] that [[initiates]] creation of the [[physical]] [[world]] is not only [[illumination]] in a [[physical]] but also in the [[spiritual]] [[sense]]. | ||
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+ | This '[[illuminating]]' aspect of [[Marichi]] ([[Ozer Chenma]]: [[Queen of Light]]) is emphasized in an 17th century [[tangka]] of the [[Karma Kagyu]] at [[Himalayan Art]] where she is crowned by a [[stupa]], and instead of driving, she is seated on a great sow with her seven piglets. | ||
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+ | In the above link, an accompanying [[Sakya]] verse emphasizes her ability to dispel the {{Wiki|fears}} of the night. | ||
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+ | Sometimes [[animals]] other than piglets are depicted drawing her [[chariot]]. | ||
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+ | (The third [{{Wiki|male}}] [[incarnation]] of the [[Jain]] founder is also called [[Marichi]].) | ||
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+ | [[Manimekhala]] "[[Jewel-girdled]]." [[Protector]] of seafarers, this [[South Indian]] [[Buddhist deity]] is also associated with {{Wiki|lightning}}. She was popularized in [[Burma]] and [[Thailand]]. | ||
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+ | [[Nairatmya]] '[[One Absent-of-any-Self]]' is a [[sky-blue]] or dark-blue [[yidam]] and the [[consort]] of [[Hevajra]]. | ||
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+ | The wife of [[Marpa]] the [[Translator]], and {{Wiki|mentor}} of [[Milarepa]] was named for her. | ||
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+ | [[Palden Lhamo]]: She is the [[dark blue]] [[protector]] and only {{Wiki|female}} among the [[Eight Guardians of the Law]] ([[Dharma Protectors]]) who is also [[Mahakali]]. | ||
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+ | Her [[Sanskrit]] [[name]] [[Shri Devi]] means [[Great Lady]], ie. [[Lady Goddess]]; [[Okkin Tungri]] to northern {{Wiki|Mongolians}}. | ||
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+ | [[Prajnaparamita]] ([[Yum Chenmo]]) [[embodies]] the [[Supreme Wisdom]] of the [[Emptiness Teaching]]. | ||
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+ | She is golden and is readily identified by the [[books]] that sit atop the [[lotuses]], one on each side of her, at the level of her head. | ||
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+ | These [[sutras]] after which she is named are called by [[Nagarjuna]] (2nd century CE,) The [[Mother of Buddhas]]. | ||
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+ | [[Sakya]] (Tib. pron. [[Sacha) Dema]] or [[Belmo Sakya Devi]]: See [[Guru Rinpoche's]] [[consorts]]. | ||
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+ | [[Salgye Du Dalma]]: [[Dakini]] who affords [[protection]] and [[insight]] during [[sacred]] [[sleep]]/[[dream yoga]]. | ||
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+ | "She who clarifies [[beyond]] {{Wiki|conception}}" sits on a blue four-petaled [[lotus]]. | ||
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+ | She is seen as a {{Wiki|luminous}} drop (Skt. [[bindu]], Tib. [[tigle]]). | ||
[[File:4-Arms chenresi.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:4-Arms chenresi.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
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− | The Vajravidarana cleansing ceremony is a powerful spiritual aid to expunge or split open (Skt. darana) to release the mental and physical poisons lying at the root of suffering. | + | [[Samantabhadri]] ([[Kuntuzangmo]]) is the [[yum]] or [[consort]] of the [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] [[Buddha]] (as [[bodhisattva]] [[Samantabhadra]] is considered in some [[traditions]].) |
− | Vajrayogini (Dorje Naljorma): Slightly wrathful red dancing goddess with flowing black hair. One aspect is known as Kechari, another is Vajravarahi, associated with the Kagyu school. | + | |
+ | She is [[pure]] white or [[light]], in contrast with his {{Wiki|darkness}}. | ||
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+ | See [[Yeshe Tsogyal]], below. | ||
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+ | [[Sengdongma]], [[Lion-face Dakini]], is a [[wrathful]] [[manifestation]] of [[Padmasambhava]] [[Guru Rinpoche]] who eliminates {{Wiki|obstacles}}. | ||
+ | [[Sinhavaktra]]: [[Dark blue]] [[Lion-head Dakini]] dispels {{Wiki|obstacles}} to [[enlightenment]]. She holds a broad-bladed knife and [[skull cup]]. | ||
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+ | [[Sitapatra]] ([[White Parasol]],) also called [[Ushnisha-sitatapatra]], is a [[protector]] described in the [[Shurangama Sutra]]. | ||
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+ | The [[embodiment]] of the [[white parasol]] of royalty that appears over [[Buddha]] as a [[symbol]] of glory, her image is often mistaken for that of 1,000-armed [[Chenrezi]]. | ||
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+ | She is described as having 1,000 faces, arms and {{Wiki|legs}}. | ||
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+ | Each of the eleven depicted heads has three [[eyes]], and there is one in each palm and sole. | ||
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+ | Her right hands hold [[dharma wheels]] and her left hold arrows, except for the one holding the [[parasol]] representing the [[protection]] she offers. | ||
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+ | Her central faces are white like her [[body]], but those to the right are [[yellow]], and the left faces are [[green]]. | ||
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+ | The ones facing to the rear (that we do not see) are described as [[red]]. | ||
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+ | The two uppermost heads are blue. | ||
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+ | [[Sukhasiddhi]]: (Tib. [[Dewai Ngod'up]]) [[Power-of-Bliss]], a [[consort]] of [[Guru Padmasambhava]], and founder of a [[lineage]]. | ||
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+ | [[Tseringma]] is the [[protector of Bhutan]]. | ||
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+ | The [[embodiment]] of [[Mount Chomolhari]], she is chief among the [[5 Longlife sisters]]. | ||
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+ | [[Usnisha-vijaya]] ({{Wiki|Nepali}}, [[Bijaya]]) (Tib. [[Tsug.tor Nam.par Gyel.ma]]) This is shortened to [[Namgyal]] or [[Namgyelma]]. | ||
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+ | She is an 8-armed longevity [[deity]], who also stands for the [[Mother of All Buddhas]]. | ||
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+ | Like all [[Buddhist]] [[deities]], she is [[essentially]] a [[manifestation]] of [[Emptiness]] acting as a [[bodhisattva]]. | ||
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+ | She is able to bestow longevity on [[beings]] not for [[selfish]] [[reasons]], but for the {{Wiki|purpose}} of helping all others towards [[enlightenment]]. | ||
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+ | She is a [[purification]] [[deity]] as well, invoked in the presence of the [[dead]], and she is also invoked as a means of settling [[disputes]]. | ||
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+ | [[Vajravidarana]] is a [[purification]] [[deity]] who holds a [[vishwarupa]] ([[double-dorje]]) and a [[bell]] with a similar handle. | ||
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+ | In white [[form]] ([[Tibetan]]: [[dor.je nam.par jom.pa kar.po]]) she is the [[Indian]] [[goddess]] [[Sita]], who has transcended her role as a [[worldy]] [[hero]] (her tale of [[suffering]] is told in [[Valmiki's]] {{Wiki|Ramayana}}) to heal the [[afflictions]] of humankind, especially {{Wiki|disease}} and other [[bodily]] [[conditions]]. | ||
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+ | As [[Sitala]], she was once associated with exorcising the [[cause]] of {{Wiki|smallpox}}. | ||
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+ | The [[Vajravidarana]] [[cleansing ceremony]] is a {{Wiki|powerful}} [[spiritual]] aid to expunge or split open (Skt. [[darana]]) to [[release]] the [[mental]] and [[physical]] [[poisons]] {{Wiki|lying}} at the [[root of suffering]]. | ||
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+ | [[Vajrayogini]] ([[Dorje Naljorma]]): Slightly [[wrathful]] [[red]] [[dancing]] [[goddess]] with flowing black [[hair]]. | ||
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+ | One aspect is known as [[Kechari]], another is [[Vajravarahi]], associated with the [[Kagyu school]]. | ||
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[[File:8O3temple.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:8O3temple.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
− | From an interview with Jetsun Sakya Kushog: | + | From an interview with [[Jetsun Sakya Kushog]]: |
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− | The Kagyupa's Vajrayogini is actually not Vajrayogini. They call it Vajrayogini nowadays, especially among Westerners, but in fact it is Vajravarahi. In Tibetan it is called Dorje Phagmo, and not Naro Kacho. Therefore, the Kagyu practice is not Vajrayogini. | + | Q: Are there similarities and/or differences between the various [[traditions of Kachoma]] ([[Vajrayogini]])? |
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+ | A: I think in the [[Gelugpa]] the [[Vajrayogini]] practice is very similar to ours, because it comes from the [[Sakyas]]. | ||
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+ | Maybe there are different [[lamas]] with different sets of [[sadhanas]], different ways of [[teaching]], some of them more detailed, but it comes from [[Sakya]], so it is very much the same. | ||
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+ | The [[Kagyupa's]] [[Vajrayogini]] is actually not [[Vajrayogini]]. | ||
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+ | They call it [[Vajrayogini]] nowadays, especially among [[Westerners]], but in fact it is [[Vajravarahi]]. | ||
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+ | In [[Tibetan]] it is called [[Dorje Phagmo]], and not [[Naro Kacho]]. | ||
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+ | Therefore, the [[Kagyu]] practice is not [[Vajrayogini]]. | ||
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Q: Are they very different? | Q: Are they very different? | ||
− | A: They are different, but both Vajravarahi and Vajrayogini are Chakrasamvara tantric practices and originally come from Naropa. Naro Kacho means that it comes from Naropa. [ | + | |
− | + | A: They are different, but both [[Vajravarahi]] and [[Vajrayogini]] are [[Chakrasamvara tantric practices]] and originally come from [[Naropa]]. | |
− | Yeshe Tsogyal (form of Samantabhadri or Kuntuzangmo) legendary spiritual consort of Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) considered a dakini (Sky Dancer by Dowman is her story) and mind emanation of Vajravarahi/Saraswati. Said to have had a perfect memory, she was a concealer of Guru | + | |
− | More about Kuan Yin and Tara in John Blofeld's Bodhisattva of Compassion: The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin (Boston: Shambala Publications, 1977) and Martin Wilson's In Praise of Tara: Songs of the Saviouress (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1996) respectively. | + | [[Naro Kacho]] means that it comes from [[Naropa]]. |
− | *The word deity is understood in a unique way by Buddhist practitioners; it is used for lack of a better word. | + | |
− | Human beings are given to superstition, and undoubtedly there are those who are inclined to view a, some, or all deities as "real." To do so, however, would be to contradict the very essence of Buddhism as expressed in the Prajnaparamita, the other scriptures and commentaries, and also accounts of Shakyamuni's life. | + | |
− | These mythic figures are understood to arise out of, and return to, Emptiness; they have no inherent reality. They are not worshipped in the sense of idolatry, though certainly it may seem to be so, as for example, when one first encounters people doing prostrations before images on a shrine. That is one reason for not using the term 'altar', by the way. | + | [[Vishvamata]]: [[Consort of Kalachakra]]. |
− | Also, the expression 'tutelary deity' which is often used to translate the Tibetan word yidam is misleading as it implies a teacher-student relation. A yidam is a deity with which the practitioner has a special relationship. The deity is sometimes selected by the advisor or lama to balance or complement the student's psychology. | + | |
− | The Six or Seven piglets: Marici also seems to embody Ursa Major (the Great Bear, also viewed as a Big Dipper.) Many cultures see in that most recognizable of northern constellations a great vehicle drawn by several animals, so it is also called The Wain or Wagon. Or the seven smaller animals may represent the Pleiades, stars also known as the Seven Sisters, that forms the "eye" of spring's rising sign, The Bull. In Japan, they are known as the Subaru. | + | |
+ | She is [[yellow]], with 4 faces each with 3 [[eyes]]. The 8 hands hold: a [[curved knife]], a hook, a small [[drum]], a [[mala]], a [[skull]] cap, a lasso, a [[lotus flower]] and a [[jewel]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | [[Yeshe Tsogyal]] ([[form]] of [[Samantabhadri]] or [[Kuntuzangmo]]) legendary [[spiritual]] [[consort of Padmasambhava]] ([[Guru Rinpoche]]) considered a [[dakini]] ([[Sky Dancer]] by [[Dowman]] is her story) and [[mind emanation of Vajravarahi]]/[[Saraswati]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Said to have had a {{Wiki|perfect}} [[memory]], she was a concealer of [[Guru Rinpoche's]] [[treasures]] ([[termas]].) She is said to have lived 211 years before [[attaining]] the [[rainbow body]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | More about [[Kuan Yin]] and [[Tara]] in [[John Blofeld's]] [[Bodhisattva]] of [[Compassion]]: The [[Mystical]] [[Tradition]] of [[Kuan Yin]] ([[Boston]]: [[Shambala Publications]], 1977) and Martin Wilson's In [[Praise]] of [[Tara]]: Songs of the [[Saviouress]] ([[Boston]]: [[Wisdom Publications]], 1996) respectively. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | *The [[word]] [[deity]] is understood in a unique way by [[Buddhist]] practitioners; it is used for lack of a better [[word]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[Human beings]] are given to {{Wiki|superstition}}, and undoubtedly there are those who are inclined to [[view]] a, some, or all [[deities]] as "{{Wiki|real}}." | ||
+ | |||
+ | To do so, however, would be to contradict the very [[essence]] of [[Buddhism]] as expressed in the [[Prajnaparamita]], the other [[scriptures]] and commentaries, and also accounts of [[Shakyamuni's]] [[life]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | These [[mythic]] figures are understood to arise out of, and return to, [[Emptiness]]; they have no [[inherent reality]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | They are not [[worshipped]] in the [[sense]] of [[idolatry]], though certainly it may seem to be so, as for example, when one first encounters [[people]] doing [[prostrations]] before images on a [[shrine]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | That is one [[reason]] for not using the term '[[altar]]', by the way. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Also, the expression '[[Wikipedia:tutelary deity|tutelary deity]]' which is often used to translate the [[Tibetan]] [[word]] [[yidam]] is misleading as it implies a teacher-student [[relation]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | A [[yidam]] is a [[deity]] with which the [[practitioner]] has a special relationship. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The [[deity]] is sometimes selected by the advisor or [[lama]] to [[balance]] or complement the student's {{Wiki|psychology}}. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | The Six or Seven piglets: [[Marici]] also seems to embody {{Wiki|Ursa Major}} (the Great Bear, also viewed as a Big Dipper.) | ||
+ | |||
+ | Many cultures see in that most recognizable of northern [[constellations]] a [[great vehicle]] drawn by several [[animals]], so it is also called The Wain or Wagon. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Or the seven smaller [[animals]] may represent the {{Wiki|Pleiades}}, {{Wiki|stars}} also known as the Seven Sisters, that [[forms]] the "[[eye]]" of spring's [[rising]] sign, The Bull. In [[Japan]], they are known as the Subaru. | ||
[[Category:Vajrayana]] | [[Category:Vajrayana]] | ||
[[Category:Deities]] | [[Category:Deities]] | ||
Line 76: | Line 332: | ||
[http://www.khandro.net/deities_female.htm] | [http://www.khandro.net/deities_female.htm] | ||
[[Category:Dakini's]] | [[Category:Dakini's]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Female Deities]] |
Latest revision as of 21:24, 28 December 2023
The female deities of Buddhism are of many types.
There are buddhas in female form and goddesses who are bodhisattvas. There are also historical figures such as lineage founders, and they all can function as deities.
There are also yidams and dharma protectors in peaceful, semi-wrathful or wrathful form.
The dakini, a special type of deity, is discussed separately.
What follows is not a definitive catalogue, by any means.
The best known of the female Tibetan Buddhist deities is Tara.
Arya Sanskrit for Exalted or [[Noble] Tara, is best known in two forms, White and Green.
Tara is a Buddha who is depicted in various ways that reflect her activity.
She can be peaceful or semi-wrathful; alone or surrounded by 21 manifestations or aspects.
Besides Green Tara and her several aspects that are generally designated by colour, some other distinctive female deities are:
Achi Chokyi Drolma, is the peaceful white Drikung Kagyu protector on her blue mule or, sometimes, a blue-maned snow lion.
Chintamani: The Wishful-filling Jewel form of Tara who is also a protector.
Dorje Yudronma: (Vajra Turquoise Lamp) the Longchen Nyinthig lineage-protector who bears an arrow tied with five-coloured silks in her right hand and a divination mirror in her left.
In the life of yogi, Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu, she appeared when he was starving and offered him food.
Ekajati or Ekadzati (Tib. Ralchikma or Tsechikma) is the Nyingma Dzogchen protector of mantras (Ngag Sungma) and mind-treasure (Tib. terma) whose epithet, "One Braid" (or, plait) refers to her initially terrifying appearance since she has only one eye, one tooth, one breast and so on.
These (Skt. Maha-pancha Devi) appear in the entourage of White Vajradarana.
They include the source of all earthly wealth as Pratishara (Tib. So.sor trang. ma), who is yellow with three faces and ten hands;
Sita Sitavani) red with four hands, Mayuri who is green with one face and two hands,
Sahasra.pramardana, blue with one face and six hands, and Mantra manu dharani, black with one face and four hands.
Kalasiddhi was one of the consorts of Guru Rinpoche.
Kurukulla is a 4-armed dancing red Tara, an archer whose bow made of flowers relates to the subjugation of ego and the use of love/attraction in the service of dharma.
Hrih is her seed syllable and her mantra:
A possible origin? Karaikal is a town near Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, India.
Punitavatiyar (Karaikalam.maiyar) was an early 7th century siddhari who requested that Lord Shiva divest her of the burden of her beautiful form.
She was transformed into a crone to be able to devote herself completely.
Kwan Yin (Perceiver of Sounds) Cantonese: Goong Yam is a Chinese form of the bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara that is considered to be female.
In Japanese, she is called Kannon or Shokanzeon Bosatsu bosatsu = bodhisattva;] in Korean, Kwanseum Bosal or Kwan Um.
Professor Yu Chun-fang, wrote the interesting "Ambiguity of Avalokites'vara and Scriptural Sources for the Cult of Kuen-yin in China" article which is no longer found online.
Her thesis is supported not only by one of the most gorgeously spectacular so-called Kuan Yin images, in which we clearly see the male origin, is a Chinese 10th-century life-sized image of painted wood known as The Water and Moon Kuan-Yin Bodhisattva at the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
and The Creation of Goddess of Mercy ... that relates how she was once a princess (Chin. miao shan,) one of three sisters.
Tired of the politics and conflict of palace life, she resolves to become a hermit and eventually benefits beings by becoming one of the Immortals/a bodhisattva,
Lamanteri is the Mongolian, 8-armed, semi-wrathful form of Green Tara who is sometimes depicted with the 21 aspects of the Praises to Tara surrounding her.
Machig Lapdron: White, dancing dakini, sky-clad but for her bone ornaments, holding a medium-sized drum in her raised right hand. Magzor Gyalmo (Queen of the Army) is the younger sister who attends Palden Lhamo (Skt. Shri Devi.)
She rides a horse, attended by animal-headed dakinis.
Mandarava: considered a speech emanation of Vajravarahi, she is the first wife of Padmasambhava.
Besides her and Yeshe Tsogyal (Dechen Gyalmo) who function as deities, there are other consorts.
Marichi (Ozer Chenma) is reddish-gold with 8 arms.
She is the embodiment of sunrise or dawn. As a form of Tara, she is depicted standing, one pair of hands holding a needle and thread.
She is also identified with Vajravarahi (Dorje Pa'mo.)
Her most widely found image is the one with three faces, one of which is that of a sow, in which she drives a cart pulled by seven swine.
Marici's seven-swine cart may derive from the Indian myth that describes Surya's vehicle as drawn by seven horses.
Her practice may also derive from that of the Vedic dawn goddess, Ushas.
She is also comparable to the Greek goddess, Eos, who daily went out to rouse both Day and Night in her chariot drawn by a number of horses.
The multiple animals might relate to the fact that in ancient times, the sun appeared rather differently, accompanied by lesser lights.
The very promise of dawn, Marichi, "who holds the night," is invoked by travelers for protection from robbers and other hazards of the road:
Marichi alone.
Tantric Buddhists tell of Marichi's determination in the manner of Tara.
Taoists see her as Queen of Heaven, and the Japanese, as Amaterasu, the sun goddess.
Her origin lies in early Indian scriptures such as The Laws of Manu (Skt. Manava Dharma Shastra) and the Puranas, where Marichi is one of 10 Prajapatis or primal parents /chief of the Maruts produced from the mind of Brahma.
In this male aspect, Marichi is father of Surya, the sun and (with his wife Sambhuti) also of Kashyapa 'Old Tortoise Man' one of the seven primordial sages.
Thus, Marici, the beam of divine light that initiates creation of the physical world is not only illumination in a physical but also in the spiritual sense.
This 'illuminating' aspect of Marichi (Ozer Chenma: Queen of Light) is emphasized in an 17th century tangka of the Karma Kagyu at Himalayan Art where she is crowned by a stupa, and instead of driving, she is seated on a great sow with her seven piglets.
In the above link, an accompanying Sakya verse emphasizes her ability to dispel the fears of the night.
Sometimes animals other than piglets are depicted drawing her chariot.
(The third [[[Wikipedia:male|male]]] incarnation of the Jain founder is also called Marichi.)
Manimekhala "Jewel-girdled." Protector of seafarers, this South Indian Buddhist deity is also associated with lightning. She was popularized in Burma and Thailand.
Nairatmya 'One Absent-of-any-Self' is a sky-blue or dark-blue yidam and the consort of Hevajra.
The wife of Marpa the Translator, and mentor of Milarepa was named for her.
Palden Lhamo: She is the dark blue protector and only female among the Eight Guardians of the Law (Dharma Protectors) who is also Mahakali.
Her Sanskrit name Shri Devi means Great Lady, ie. Lady Goddess; Okkin Tungri to northern Mongolians.
Prajnaparamita (Yum Chenmo) embodies the Supreme Wisdom of the Emptiness Teaching.
She is golden and is readily identified by the books that sit atop the lotuses, one on each side of her, at the level of her head.
These sutras after which she is named are called by Nagarjuna (2nd century CE,) The Mother of Buddhas.
Sakya (Tib. pron. Sacha) Dema or Belmo Sakya Devi: See Guru Rinpoche's consorts.
Salgye Du Dalma: Dakini who affords protection and insight during sacred sleep/dream yoga.
"She who clarifies beyond conception" sits on a blue four-petaled lotus.
She is seen as a luminous drop (Skt. bindu, Tib. tigle).
Samantabhadri (Kuntuzangmo) is the yum or consort of the ultimate Buddha (as bodhisattva Samantabhadra is considered in some traditions.)
She is pure white or light, in contrast with his darkness.
See Yeshe Tsogyal, below.
Sengdongma, Lion-face Dakini, is a wrathful manifestation of Padmasambhava Guru Rinpoche who eliminates obstacles. Sinhavaktra: Dark blue Lion-head Dakini dispels obstacles to enlightenment. She holds a broad-bladed knife and skull cup.
Sitapatra (White Parasol,) also called Ushnisha-sitatapatra, is a protector described in the Shurangama Sutra.
The embodiment of the white parasol of royalty that appears over Buddha as a symbol of glory, her image is often mistaken for that of 1,000-armed Chenrezi.
She is described as having 1,000 faces, arms and legs.
Each of the eleven depicted heads has three eyes, and there is one in each palm and sole.
Her right hands hold dharma wheels and her left hold arrows, except for the one holding the parasol representing the protection she offers.
Her central faces are white like her body, but those to the right are yellow, and the left faces are green.
The ones facing to the rear (that we do not see) are described as red.
The two uppermost heads are blue.
Sukhasiddhi: (Tib. Dewai Ngod'up) Power-of-Bliss, a consort of Guru Padmasambhava, and founder of a lineage.
Tseringma is the protector of Bhutan.
The embodiment of Mount Chomolhari, she is chief among the 5 Longlife sisters.
Usnisha-vijaya (Nepali, Bijaya) (Tib. Tsug.tor Nam.par Gyel.ma) This is shortened to Namgyal or Namgyelma.
She is an 8-armed longevity deity, who also stands for the Mother of All Buddhas.
Like all Buddhist deities, she is essentially a manifestation of Emptiness acting as a bodhisattva.
She is able to bestow longevity on beings not for selfish reasons, but for the purpose of helping all others towards enlightenment.
She is a purification deity as well, invoked in the presence of the dead, and she is also invoked as a means of settling disputes.
Vajravidarana is a purification deity who holds a vishwarupa (double-dorje) and a bell with a similar handle.
In white form (Tibetan: dor.je nam.par jom.pa kar.po) she is the Indian goddess Sita, who has transcended her role as a worldy hero (her tale of suffering is told in Valmiki's Ramayana) to heal the afflictions of humankind, especially disease and other bodily conditions.
As Sitala, she was once associated with exorcising the cause of smallpox.
The Vajravidarana cleansing ceremony is a powerful spiritual aid to expunge or split open (Skt. darana) to release the mental and physical poisons lying at the root of suffering.
Vajrayogini (Dorje Naljorma): Slightly wrathful red dancing goddess with flowing black hair.
One aspect is known as Kechari, another is Vajravarahi, associated with the Kagyu school.
From an interview with Jetsun Sakya Kushog:
Q: Are there similarities and/or differences between the various traditions of Kachoma (Vajrayogini)?
A: I think in the Gelugpa the Vajrayogini practice is very similar to ours, because it comes from the Sakyas.
Maybe there are different lamas with different sets of sadhanas, different ways of teaching, some of them more detailed, but it comes from Sakya, so it is very much the same.
The Kagyupa's Vajrayogini is actually not Vajrayogini.
They call it Vajrayogini nowadays, especially among Westerners, but in fact it is Vajravarahi.
In Tibetan it is called Dorje Phagmo, and not Naro Kacho.
Therefore, the Kagyu practice is not Vajrayogini.
Q: Are they very different?
A: They are different, but both Vajravarahi and Vajrayogini are Chakrasamvara tantric practices and originally come from Naropa.
Naro Kacho means that it comes from Naropa.
Vishvamata: Consort of Kalachakra.
She is yellow, with 4 faces each with 3 eyes. The 8 hands hold: a curved knife, a hook, a small drum, a mala, a skull cap, a lasso, a lotus flower and a jewel.
Yeshe Tsogyal (form of Samantabhadri or Kuntuzangmo) legendary spiritual consort of Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) considered a dakini (Sky Dancer by Dowman is her story) and mind emanation of Vajravarahi/Saraswati.
Said to have had a perfect memory, she was a concealer of Guru Rinpoche's treasures (termas.) She is said to have lived 211 years before attaining the rainbow body.
More about Kuan Yin and Tara in John Blofeld's Bodhisattva of Compassion: The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin (Boston: Shambala Publications, 1977) and Martin Wilson's In Praise of Tara: Songs of the Saviouress (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1996) respectively.
- The word deity is understood in a unique way by Buddhist practitioners; it is used for lack of a better word.
Human beings are given to superstition, and undoubtedly there are those who are inclined to view a, some, or all deities as "real."
To do so, however, would be to contradict the very essence of Buddhism as expressed in the Prajnaparamita, the other scriptures and commentaries, and also accounts of Shakyamuni's life.
These mythic figures are understood to arise out of, and return to, Emptiness; they have no inherent reality.
They are not worshipped in the sense of idolatry, though certainly it may seem to be so, as for example, when one first encounters people doing prostrations before images on a shrine.
That is one reason for not using the term 'altar', by the way.
Also, the expression 'tutelary deity' which is often used to translate the Tibetan word yidam is misleading as it implies a teacher-student relation.
A yidam is a deity with which the practitioner has a special relationship.
The deity is sometimes selected by the advisor or lama to balance or complement the student's psychology.
The Six or Seven piglets: Marici also seems to embody Ursa Major (the Great Bear, also viewed as a Big Dipper.)
Many cultures see in that most recognizable of northern constellations a great vehicle drawn by several animals, so it is also called The Wain or Wagon.
Or the seven smaller animals may represent the Pleiades, stars also known as the Seven Sisters, that forms the "eye" of spring's rising sign, The Bull. In Japan, they are known as the Subaru.