Difference between revisions of "The Wrathful Guardian Deities"
(Created page with " By Living Buddha Sheng-yen Lu Guardian deities are divine beings that hold vajra implements in their hands and protect the Buddhadharma. These guardians function as th...") |
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| − | By Living Buddha Sheng-yen Lu | + | By [[Living Buddha]] [[Sheng-yen Lu]] |
| − | Guardian deities are divine beings that hold vajra implements in their hands and protect the Buddhadharma. These guardians function as the instructional wheel, which symbolizes the great strength of the instruction, which can destroy all forms of enemies. | + | [[Guardian deities]] are [[divine beings]] that hold [[vajra]] implements in their hands and {{Wiki|protect}} the [[Buddhadharma]]. These guardians function as the instructional [[wheel]], which [[symbolizes]] the great strength of the instruction, which can destroy all [[forms]] of enemies. |
| − | In the Sutric tradition, the common deities that protect the Buddhadharma are the guardian protectors and the Protector Skanda. In Tantric Buddhism, the wrathful guardian deities are very distinctive in their appearance, and they are the emanation bodies of the buddhas and bodhisattvas. Isn`t it true that Buddhism teaches one to avoid anger and to practice patience? Then why such ferocious display? | + | In the [[Sutric]] [[tradition]], the common [[deities]] that {{Wiki|protect}} the [[Buddhadharma]] are the [[guardian protectors]] and the [[Protector]] [[Skanda]]. In [[Tantric Buddhism]], the [[wrathful]] [[guardian deities]] are very {{Wiki|distinctive}} in their [[appearance]], and they are the [[emanation]] [[bodies]] of the [[buddhas]] and [[bodhisattvas]]. Isn`t it true that [[Buddhism]] teaches one to avoid [[anger]] and to practice [[patience]]? Then why such ferocious display? |
| − | There is a saying in Buddhism, which states: | + | There is a saying in [[Buddhism]], which states: |
| − | The Bodhisattva lowers her eyebrows, showering compassion on the six realms. The Guardian Deity stares with angry eyes, subjugating the four Mara demons. | + | The [[Bodhisattva]] lowers her [[eyebrows]], showering [[compassion]] on the [[six realms]]. The [[Guardian Deity]] stares with [[angry]] [[eyes]], subjugating the four [[Mara]] {{Wiki|demons}}. |
| − | While remaining compassionate within, the buddhas and bodhisattvas, in their efforts to subjugate and deliver the Mara devas, vicious deities, evil ghosts, yaksas, and villains who are extremely unreasonable, manifest an external aspect of wrathfulness to subdue these beings so that they may take refuge in the Buddha. | + | While remaining [[compassionate]] within, the [[buddhas]] and [[bodhisattvas]], in their efforts to subjugate and deliver the [[Mara]] [[devas]], vicious [[deities]], [[evil]] [[ghosts]], [[yaksas]], and villains who are extremely unreasonable, [[manifest]] an external aspect of [[wrathfulness]] to subdue these [[beings]] so that they may [[take refuge]] in the [[Buddha]]. |
| − | The wrathful guardians in Tibetan Buddhism are unique, and exist for very special reasons. In the early days, the Black Sect, or Bon religion, was widespread, and the worship of nature prevailed. People worshiped the mountains, fire, the cow, the horse, the pig, the snake, etc... | + | The [[wrathful]] guardians in [[Tibetan Buddhism]] are unique, and [[exist]] for very special [[reasons]]. In the early days, the Black [[Sect]], or [[Bon religion]], was widespread, and the {{Wiki|worship}} of [[nature]] prevailed. [[People]] worshiped the [[mountains]], [[fire]], the {{Wiki|cow}}, the [[horse]], the pig, the {{Wiki|snake}}, etc... |
| − | Then, Manjusri Bodhisattva entered Samadhi and manifested Yamantaka (appearing with the head of a cow) to instruct the Tibetans; Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva entered into Samadhi and manifested Hayagriva (appearing with the head of a horse) to instruct the Tibetans; Vairocana entered Samadhi and manifested Vajrayogini (appearing with the head of a pig) to instruct the Tibetans; Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) entered Samadhi and manifested Rahula (appearing with the body of a snake) to instruct the Tibetans. And there were others. | + | Then, [[Manjusri Bodhisattva]] entered [[Samadhi]] and [[manifested]] [[Yamantaka]] (appearing with the head of a {{Wiki|cow}}) to instruct the [[Tibetans]]; [[Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva]] entered into [[Samadhi]] and [[manifested]] [[Hayagriva]] (appearing with the head of a [[horse]]) to instruct the [[Tibetans]]; [[Vairocana]] entered [[Samadhi]] and [[manifested]] [[Vajrayogini]] (appearing with the head of a pig) to instruct the [[Tibetans]]; [[Guru Rinpoche]] ([[Padmasambhava]]) entered [[Samadhi]] and [[manifested]] [[Rahula]] (appearing with the [[body]] of a {{Wiki|snake}}) to instruct the [[Tibetans]]. And there were others. |
| − | Many of these wrathful guardians are found in Tibetan Buddhism. They are the compassionate emanations of the buddhas, bodhisattvas and gurus to liberate sentient beings utilizing an expedient approach. When a Tantric practitioner cultivates the five wrathful guardian practices and achieves union, he or she is near the level of buddhahood. The wrathful practices of Tantrayana are indeed wonderful and profound. | + | Many of these [[wrathful]] guardians are found in [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. They are the [[compassionate]] [[emanations]] of the [[buddhas]], [[bodhisattvas]] and [[gurus]] to {{Wiki|liberate}} [[sentient beings]] utilizing an expedient approach. When a [[Tantric practitioner]] cultivates the five [[wrathful]] guardian practices and achieves union, he or she is near the level of [[buddhahood]]. The [[wrathful practices]] of [[Tantrayana]] are indeed wonderful and profound. |
Latest revision as of 04:59, 4 February 2020
Guardian deities are divine beings that hold vajra implements in their hands and protect the Buddhadharma. These guardians function as the instructional wheel, which symbolizes the great strength of the instruction, which can destroy all forms of enemies.
In the Sutric tradition, the common deities that protect the Buddhadharma are the guardian protectors and the Protector Skanda. In Tantric Buddhism, the wrathful guardian deities are very distinctive in their appearance, and they are the emanation bodies of the buddhas and bodhisattvas. Isn`t it true that Buddhism teaches one to avoid anger and to practice patience? Then why such ferocious display?
There is a saying in Buddhism, which states:
The Bodhisattva lowers her eyebrows, showering compassion on the six realms. The Guardian Deity stares with angry eyes, subjugating the four Mara demons.
While remaining compassionate within, the buddhas and bodhisattvas, in their efforts to subjugate and deliver the Mara devas, vicious deities, evil ghosts, yaksas, and villains who are extremely unreasonable, manifest an external aspect of wrathfulness to subdue these beings so that they may take refuge in the Buddha.
The wrathful guardians in Tibetan Buddhism are unique, and exist for very special reasons. In the early days, the Black Sect, or Bon religion, was widespread, and the worship of nature prevailed. People worshiped the mountains, fire, the cow, the horse, the pig, the snake, etc...
Then, Manjusri Bodhisattva entered Samadhi and manifested Yamantaka (appearing with the head of a cow) to instruct the Tibetans; Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva entered into Samadhi and manifested Hayagriva (appearing with the head of a horse) to instruct the Tibetans; Vairocana entered Samadhi and manifested Vajrayogini (appearing with the head of a pig) to instruct the Tibetans; Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) entered Samadhi and manifested Rahula (appearing with the body of a snake) to instruct the Tibetans. And there were others.
Many of these wrathful guardians are found in Tibetan Buddhism. They are the compassionate emanations of the buddhas, bodhisattvas and gurus to liberate sentient beings utilizing an expedient approach. When a Tantric practitioner cultivates the five wrathful guardian practices and achieves union, he or she is near the level of buddhahood. The wrathful practices of Tantrayana are indeed wonderful and profound.
