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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 Chinese and Japanese [[Buddhism]], particularly in [[The Vajrayana]] school. He is known as Daheitian (大黑天) in Chinese and Daikokuten (大黒天) in Japanese. Mahākāla belongs to the fourth 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 Kālidāsa), but it is also a name of one of his principal attendants ([[Sanskrit]]: gaṇa): along with Nandi, which is one of 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 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 color, and again in this case it signifies the nature of [[Mahakala]] as ultimate or absolute reality.
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| − | [[Mahakala]] is almost always depicted with a 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 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 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: ནག་པོ་ཆེན་པོ།) though, when referring to this deity, Tibetans usually use the word "Goinbo" (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 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 color, and again in this case it signifies the nature of [[Mahakala]] as 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 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 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 folklore. Mahākāla's association with [[Wealth]] and prosperity gave rise to a strange custom known as Fuku-nusubi. This 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 celebrations.
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| − | The Japanese also use the [[Symbol]] of Mahākāla as a monogram. The traditional pilgrims climbing the 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 rice, with mice nearby (mice signify plentiful [[Food]]).
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| − | </poem>
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| − | {{W}} | |
| − | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]]
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| − | [[Category:Mahākāla]]
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