Articles by alphabetic order
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 Ā Ī Ñ Ś Ū Ö Ō
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0


Eight Kerima Dakinis

From Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
2nn.jpg
15vcc38 n.jpg

Eight Kerima Dakinis

Tib., rNam-shes brgyad-kyi ye-shes mkha'-'gro bzhi

Dakinis of the eight kinds of awareness

According to the Bardo Thödol, these deities appear on the 12th day of the bardo, surrounding the Krodeshvari-Heruka couples.

They are subdivided into two groups:


Four Inner Dakinis (Nang-gi mkha'-'gro bzhi) of the cardinal directions (pure colors)
Four Outer Dakinis (Phyi-yi mkha'-'gro bzhi) of the intermediate directions (mixed colors)


Together, they represent the fierce, terrifying female counterparts of the eight male Bodhisattvas.



    East: white skinned Kerima (or Gauri) carrying a kapala (skull cup)
    and a club in the form of a human corpse
    SE: orange skinned Pukkasi carrying entrails (Tib., ??)
    South: yellow skinned Caurima (Chauri) carrying a drawn bow and arrow
    SW: green-black skinned Ghasmari carrying a dorje and drinking blood from an asrikkapala
    West: red skinned Pramoha carrying the banner of victory
    NW: yellow-white skinned Candali carrying a corpse and a heart
    North: green skinned Vetali (Vaitali, Petali) carrying a kapala and a dorje
    NE: blue-black skinned Smashali (Smasani) twisting the head off a corpse

Note
In some texts, the Kerima (or Keurima) are named Gauri, and under the leadership of a Gauri as well, yet further with mostly the same names and symbolism

Source

[1]