Difference between revisions of "The Buddhist deity Mahakala as a Brahman"
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[[Mahakala Bramanarupa]] is one of over 70 different [[deities]] of the [[Mahakala]] type. | [[Mahakala Bramanarupa]] is one of over 70 different [[deities]] of the [[Mahakala]] type. | ||
| − | These are [[wrathful deities]] particularly adept at quelling monsters and overcoming [[demons]], whether they be outer, inner or secret. Some deities, such as [[Avalokiteshvara]] have their own [[Mahakala]] form. | + | These are [[wrathful deities]] particularly {{Wiki|adept}} at quelling monsters and [[overcoming]] [[demons]], whether they be outer, inner or secret. Some [[deities]], such as [[Avalokiteshvara]] have their [[own]] [[Mahakala]] [[form]]. |
| − | Here [[Gonpo]] takes the guise of a [[brahman]] to appear in the world of ordinary beings. This [[Mahakala]] is from the [[Sakya]] [[Ngor Monastery]] located to the southwest of [[Lhasa]] where he is honored as one of their patron [[deities]]. | + | Here [[Gonpo]] takes the guise of a [[brahman]] to appear in the [[world]] of [[ordinary beings]]. This [[Mahakala]] is from the [[Sakya]] [[Ngor Monastery]] located to the [[southwest]] of [[Lhasa]] where he is honored as one of their {{Wiki|patron}} [[deities]]. |
| − | [[Brahman]] refers to the [[priestly caste]] in the traditional [[Hindu]] system, which stressed purity. | + | [[Brahman]] refers to the [[priestly caste]] in the [[traditional]] [[Hindu]] system, which stressed [[purity]]. |
| − | Although no longer accepted today, traditionally [[caste]] was linked to one’s skin color—the high caste [[brahmans]] had light skin, lower castes had dark skin. | + | Although no longer accepted today, [[traditionally]] [[caste]] was linked to one’s {{Wiki|skin}} color—the high [[caste]] [[brahmans]] had {{Wiki|light}} {{Wiki|skin}}, lower [[castes]] had dark {{Wiki|skin}}. |
| − | The [[Buddha]] strongly objected to this concept, and stressed the importance of a person’s heart and mind over their external characteristics determined by birth. | + | The [[Buddha]] strongly objected to this {{Wiki|concept}}, and stressed the importance of a person’s [[heart]] and [[mind]] over their external [[characteristics]] determined by [[birth]]. |
| − | In the [[Buddhist]] concept, you were of a high caste if you had pure altruistic motivation. You were of a low caste if you were harmful to others. | + | In the [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|concept}}, you were of a high [[caste]] if you had [[pure]] {{Wiki|altruistic}} [[motivation]]. You were of a low [[caste]] if you were harmful to others. |
| − | By showing a dark skinned [[brahman]] in such close proximity to corpses and other impurities, this manifestation of the deity aggressively confronts the racism of the traditional caste system, and conveys the message that one cannot be polluted by death or outward appearances. In [[Buddhism]] the only pollution rests within. | + | By showing a dark skinned [[brahman]] in such close proximity to [[corpses]] and other [[impurities]], this [[manifestation]] of the [[deity]] aggressively confronts the racism of the [[traditional]] [[caste]] system, and conveys the message that one cannot be polluted by [[death]] or outward [[appearances]]. In [[Buddhism]] the only pollution rests within. |
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| − | According to legend, in the thirteenth century, Phakpa (1235-80), the great lama of the Sakya order, went to Mongolia to convert Kublai Khan to Buddhism. | + | According to legend, in the thirteenth century, [[Phakpa]] (1235-80), the great [[lama]] of the [[Sakya order]], went to [[Mongolia]] to convert [[Kublai Khan]] to [[Buddhism]]. |
Actually he went as a hostage to the [[Mongol]] court to solidify [[Tibet’s]] surrender to the [[Mongols]]. | Actually he went as a hostage to the [[Mongol]] court to solidify [[Tibet’s]] surrender to the [[Mongols]]. | ||
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[[Kublai Khan]] already knew something about [[Buddhism]] and he questioned [[Phakpa]] on a particular text with which the [[lama]] was not familiar. | [[Kublai Khan]] already knew something about [[Buddhism]] and he questioned [[Phakpa]] on a particular text with which the [[lama]] was not familiar. | ||
| − | [[Phakpa]] stalled by asking if they could continue the conversation the next day. | + | [[Phakpa]] stalled by asking if they could continue the [[conversation]] the next day. |
| − | That night, [[Gonpo]] appeared to him in this form (as [[Mahakala Brahmanarupa]]) and placed before [[Phakpa]] a copy of the text. Thus fortified with the answers, [[Phakpa]] was able to convert the [[Khan]] and won for [[Buddhism]] a powerful supporter. | + | That night, [[Gonpo]] appeared to him in this [[form]] (as [[Mahakala Brahmanarupa]]) and placed before [[Phakpa]] a copy of the text. Thus fortified with the answers, [[Phakpa]] was able to convert the [[Khan]] and won for [[Buddhism]] a powerful supporter. |
| − | Tibet’s surrender to the [[Mongols]] and [[Mongolian]] support of [[Tibetan Buddhism]] helped ensure the safety of [[Tibet]] from [[Mongolian]] invasion, which [[China]] was not spared ([[Kublai Khan]] proclaimed the [[Yuan dynasty]] in [[China]] in 1272). | + | [[Tibet’s]] surrender to the [[Mongols]] and [[Mongolian]] support of [[Tibetan Buddhism]] helped ensure the safety of [[Tibet]] from [[Mongolian]] invasion, which [[China]] was not spared ([[Kublai Khan]] proclaimed the [[Yuan dynasty]] in [[China]] in 1272). |
| − | As a result, this deity is especially revered by the [[Sakyapa Order]] and the [[Ngor Monastery]], which is home to an important [[lineage]] of the [[Sakyapa]]. | + | As a result, this [[deity]] is especially revered by the [[Sakyapa Order]] and the [[Ngor Monastery]], which is home to an important [[lineage]] of the [[Sakyapa]]. |
| − | This painting can be directly traced to the [[Ngor Monastery]] by an inscription on the back that states it was once stored in the “Zil-non House” of the monastery. | + | This painting can be directly traced to the [[Ngor Monastery]] by an inscription on the back that states it was once stored in the “Zil-non House” of the [[monastery]]. |
| − | ===Discussion Points/Teaching Suggestions:=== | + | ===[[Discussion]] Points/Teaching Suggestions:=== |
| − | Why might a powerful deity like [[Mahakala]] take on an ordinary human form like [[Bramanarupa]]? | + | Why might a powerful [[deity]] like [[Mahakala]] take on an ordinary [[human form]] like [[Bramanarupa]]? |
| − | Why might a powerful emperor like [[Kublai Khan]] take on a pacifist religion like [[Buddhism]]? | + | Why might a powerful [[emperor]] like [[Kublai Khan]] take on a pacifist [[religion]] like [[Buddhism]]? |
Revision as of 03:01, 9 February 2020
Who is this deity?
Mahakala Bramanarupa is one of over 70 different deities of the Mahakala type.
These are wrathful deities particularly adept at quelling monsters and overcoming demons, whether they be outer, inner or secret. Some deities, such as Avalokiteshvara have their own Mahakala form.
Here Gonpo takes the guise of a brahman to appear in the world of ordinary beings. This Mahakala is from the Sakya Ngor Monastery located to the southwest of Lhasa where he is honored as one of their patron deities.
Brahman refers to the priestly caste in the traditional Hindu system, which stressed purity.
Although no longer accepted today, traditionally caste was linked to one’s skin color—the high caste brahmans had light skin, lower castes had dark skin.
The Buddha strongly objected to this concept, and stressed the importance of a person’s heart and mind over their external characteristics determined by birth.
In the Buddhist concept, you were of a high caste if you had pure altruistic motivation. You were of a low caste if you were harmful to others.
By showing a dark skinned brahman in such close proximity to corpses and other impurities, this manifestation of the deity aggressively confronts the racism of the traditional caste system, and conveys the message that one cannot be polluted by death or outward appearances. In Buddhism the only pollution rests within.
According to legend, in the thirteenth century, Phakpa (1235-80), the great lama of the Sakya order, went to Mongolia to convert Kublai Khan to Buddhism.
Actually he went as a hostage to the Mongol court to solidify Tibet’s surrender to the Mongols.
Kublai Khan already knew something about Buddhism and he questioned Phakpa on a particular text with which the lama was not familiar.
Phakpa stalled by asking if they could continue the conversation the next day.
That night, Gonpo appeared to him in this form (as Mahakala Brahmanarupa) and placed before Phakpa a copy of the text. Thus fortified with the answers, Phakpa was able to convert the Khan and won for Buddhism a powerful supporter.
Tibet’s surrender to the Mongols and Mongolian support of Tibetan Buddhism helped ensure the safety of Tibet from Mongolian invasion, which China was not spared (Kublai Khan proclaimed the Yuan dynasty in China in 1272).
As a result, this deity is especially revered by the Sakyapa Order and the Ngor Monastery, which is home to an important lineage of the Sakyapa.
This painting can be directly traced to the Ngor Monastery by an inscription on the back that states it was once stored in the “Zil-non House” of the monastery.
Discussion Points/Teaching Suggestions:
Why might a powerful deity like Mahakala take on an ordinary human form like Bramanarupa?
Why might a powerful emperor like Kublai Khan take on a pacifist religion like Buddhism?
Source
http://education.asianart.org/explore-resources/artwork/buddhist-deity-mahakala-brahman-1700-1800
