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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 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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