Dakas & Dakini's
The Jatakas (stories of Buddha's former lives) contain several incidents in which divine beings are described as traveling through the air. In Sanskrit, such a being is called a dakini, a term generally translated "space-goer," "celestial woman," or "cloud fairy." All these phrases, and more besides, are used to translate the word dakini into English. (The -ini ending is not a plural, but a feminine word ending.)
In Chinese, similar meaning is preserved in K'ung-hsing fo-mu.
In Tibetan, the word for Dakini is khandro (spelled mKha-gro-ma.) When used as a personal name, it is usually pronounced as written in English but in Tibetan liturgy, it is pronounced kha'dro.
In Tibetan, the mkha' syllable means sky but also ether, or space, and space in the context of Buddhism is related to Emptiness.
That term can be understood to refer to the potential for Enlightenment inherent in sentient existence. The gro part meaning moving or going, in the same context connotes mastery in the sense of "knowing with complete understanding." The ma ending is a female indicator.
The heavenly realm or "pure land" of dakinis is called Khechari.
Dakinis have been explained as "emanations of Enlightened Mind" but here is a further sense, since to possess "enlightened mind" is another way of saying, "holding the bodhisattva commitment."
These mythical spirits or energies, if used properly, can connote the wish for enlightenment... and not for one's self alone, but for the benefit of all sentient beings.
The literal translation of Dakini is "Sky Dancer".
The Western form for Dakinis are Angels. If you believe in or have curiosity about Angels, well Dakinis immediately follow. The Western idea of an Angel being a beautiful celestial being who flies in the sky and who sometimes comes to earth to provide inspiration and support to us mortals is very similar to the Dakinis.
Generally when they are referred to in Buddhist literature it is assumed they are devoted to the Truth (Dharma). But the broader meaning of the word is a female (males are called Dakas) spirit who has some freedom but is still bound by their past actions. Thus there are good Angels and bad (or simply confused) Angels. Some people might argue that you couldn't call them an Angel anymore if they're bad, but that's ridiculous since being predictable is not part of anyones long-term nature.
Thus there are worldy Dakinis who are malicious and use their powers to confuse us, to arouse passions that are destructive, and who use their charms for their own selfish purposes. Dakinis can manifest on earth in human form or take birth as a human. These are then called "worldly Dakinis" and I'm sure you've met at least one or two in your lifetime. Women (or men) who seem to be able to simply will things into being. People who are so charming that they seduce whatever they want from the world and enjoy it fully, yet also remain somewhat disattached from the results.
Dharma Dakinis are devoted to a higher purpose and so their actions are generally positive. But it is hard to generalize the actions of Dharma Dakinis since they aim to break our rabid fixation on concrete thoughts. Dharma Dakinis are not afraid to use their powers to dazzle us, arouse us out of our sleep of habits, and seduce us onto a path of truth. Dakinis are tricky, capricious, and unpredictable. We're in trouble when the Dakini disrupts our mind with magic, breaks our habitual thought patterns with the miraculous, or simply opens our hearts with mad adoration. Messengers between our earthly realm and the higher realms of the teachers, they help to bring the powerful teachings to eartht the truth from destructive forces, and bring blessings to sincere seekers. The natural result is to fall in love with a Dakini or Angel. How can you avoid falling in love with someone who inspires wild love and higher meaning suffused with delight?
Fixate on that pleasure and the Dakini does the most compassionate thing possible. They fly away. Dakinis do not manifest simply for our pleasure. (There are people who will do that but it usually requires negotiation and some form of hard currency). Dakinis manifest the beauty of the Truth which is then an invitation to follow the path of Truth. Sky Dancers help us through vision and inspiration. But although we can be greatly inspired by a Dakini (another word is Muse), they will only come back if we put into action what they have shown us.
In that regard a Dakini's love is unswerving and always compassionate. It doesn't matter if we wait a few hours or a few lifetimes to put our inspiration into action. Miracles occur but sometimes it takes years to fully realize the implications. When we do realize or remember, our hearts open, and again the magic and majesty of the universe is open to us. The Dakinis celebrate the Truth and our resolve to work for it in a most extraordinary way. They dance in the sky.
