Deities in Tibetan Buddhism (8)

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The Five Long-Life Goddesses: Protectors of Life

The Five Long-Life Goddesses are also known as the Five Sisters of Longevity. Alternatively, some call them the Five Immortal Women of Longevity. They include Tseringma, Miyo Lozangma, Chopen Drinzangma, Ting gyi Shal Zangma, and Tekar Drozangma. These goddesses are considered to be the five wisdom dakinis of Guru Rinpoche. Additionally, they are known as the five secret dakinis of the accomplished yogi Milarepa.

According to Tibetan folklore, each goddess has a specific domain. Tseringma governs fortune and longevity. Miyo Lozangma oversees prophecy. Chopen Drinzangma is in charge of clothing and fields. Ting gyi Shal Zangma manages wealth. Finally, Tekar Drozangma is responsible for livestock. Moreover, these deities are the five protector dakinis in the tantric tradition. They are important figures for those seeking blessings.

Tashi Tseringma: The Goddess of Long Life

Tashi Tseringma, the Goddess of Long Life, is white in color. She has one face and two arms. Her right hand holds a vajra. Also, her left hand holds a long-life vase. She has a kind and beautiful face adorned with jewels. She also wears necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. She rides a snow-white lion that has a green mane. In the Kagyu Refuge Tree, she is located on the right. She is also second from the right in the protector section. This placement highlights her importance in the tradition.

Miyo Lozangma: The Goddess of Wisdom and Truth

Miyo Lozangma, the Goddess of Wisdom and Truth, appears yellow in color. She, like Tseringma, has one face and two arms. Her right hand is in the gesture of offering jewels. Furthermore, her left hand holds a precious plate filled with grains. Miyo Lozangma also has a kind face, adorned with jewelry. She is depicted riding a tiger. This imagery highlights her association with strength and insight.

Chopen Drinzangma: The Goddess of Glorious Sound

Chopen Drinzangma is the Goddess of Glorious Sound. She is depicted in red color, with one face and two arms. In her right hand, she holds a treasure box. In contrast, her left hand holds a jewel. As with the other goddesses, she also has a kind and beautiful face. She wears jewels, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. She is shown riding a deer. The deer symbolizes gentleness and grace.

Ting gyi Shal Zangma: The Goddess of Beautiful Countenance

Ting gyi Shal Zangma, the Goddess of Beautiful Countenance, is blue in color. She has one face and two arms. In her right hand, she holds a mirror. On the other hand, her left hand holds a long staff adorned with a banner. Ting gyi Shal Zangma also has a beautiful face with jewels. She rides a wild donkey, an animal that symbolizes independence and freedom.

Tekar Drozangma: The Goddess of Giving and Kindness

Tekar Drozangma, the Goddess of Giving and Kindness, is green in color. She has one face and two arms. Her right hand holds a bundle of grass. Conversely, her left hand holds a coiled snake. Like the others, she has a beautiful face adorned with jewelry. She rides a turquoise-colored dragon. The dragon symbolizes power and transformation. These five goddesses together represent the many facets of life. They are central to Tibetan Buddhist practice.

Guhyasamaja Tantra: The Secret Assembly

Guhyasamaja, known as the Secret Assembly, is a revered yidam. The Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism considers this deity as one of its five principal deities. The Sanskrit name translates to "Assembly of Secrets." The Tibetan name is "Sangdü Dorje." This deity is a central figure in tantric practice.

This deity is shown in union with his consort. The main deity is blue, symbolizing the highest Buddhist principles. Guhyasamāja has three heads. The central face is blue. The right face is white. The left is red, representing compassion. It also signifies the dual powers of pacification and subduing. This symbolism highlights the complexity of his nature.

The Posture and Attributes of Guhyasamaja

Guhyasamaja sits in the vajra posture on a lotus throne. He has three faces and six arms. The central and left faces have a wrathful expression. In contrast, the right face is serene. These three faces represent the body, speech, and mind of all the Tathagata Buddhas. His six arms hold various symbolic objects. The main arms hold a vajra and embrace his consort. The other four arms hold a dharma wheel, a flame, a lotus, and a sword. These attributes emphasize the importance of wisdom and skillful means in the path to enlightenment.

Each head of Guhyasamaja has three eyes. The top of his head has a double vajra. This is similar to Chakrasamvara. His crown has five petals. These petals symbolize the five Buddhas or five Bodhisattvas. The six arms hold implements, each with symbolic meaning. For example, his top right hand holds a dharma wheel. This signifies the eternal turning of the Dharma. Moreover, his top left hand holds a jewel, symbolizing the accomplishment of aspirations.

The Symbolic Meaning of Guhyasamaja's Implements

The middle right hand of Guhyasamāja holds a vajra. The middle left hand holds a bell. These represent the union of skillful means and wisdom. Furthermore, the bottom left hand holds a dagger. It signifies the cutting of ignorance. Finally, the bottom right hand holds a lotus. It symbolizes pure wisdom. Among the five principal Vajrayana deities, Guhyasamāja is one of the simplest. His distinctive seated posture makes him easily identifiable.

Vajramata: The Consort of Guhyasamaja

Vajramata, the consort of Guhyasamaja, is also significant. She has three heads and six arms. She has the same adornments and attributes, even in the smallest details. Her top two arms are wrapped around his neck. Her other four hands hold a lotus, a sword, and a bow and arrow. Her legs are wrapped around his waist. They both wear crowns, earrings, and armlets. In murals and Thangkas, they are surrounded by a blue circular aura and an orange-red background. This imagery underscores the interdependence of wisdom and compassion.

Nagarjuna: The Philosopher of Emptiness

Nagarjuna, also called Long Meng or Long Sheng, was a pivotal figure in Indian Buddhist history. He is often called the "Second Buddha." He lived from around 150 to 250 CE. Moreover, he was the founder of the Madhyamaka school of emptiness. Nagarjuna is considered the first great philosopher of Mahayana Buddhism. He is an ancestor of both Han Chinese and Tibetan Buddhists. His teachings had a lasting impact on Buddhism.

The Distinctive Image of Nagarjuna

Nagarjuna's image is quite distinctive. It is easily recognizable. He has a protuberance on the top of his head, which symbolizes wisdom. The top of his head is surrounded by dragon heads. There are usually seven or nine of them. He wears a monk's robe. His hands are in the teaching mudra. He is sitting in a relaxed posture. A water filter is often near him. Sometimes, scriptures are present as well.

The Legacy of Nagarjuna in Tibetan Monasteries

In Tibetan monasteries, Nagarjuna is often enshrined with other important figures. These include Aryadeva, Asanga, Vasubandhu, Dignāga, Dharmakīrti, Gunaprabha, and Shakya Prabha. This group of deities is known as the "Six Ornaments and Two Supreme Ones." They are venerated for their wisdom and contributions to Buddhist philosophy. Their combined presence highlights the importance of the lineage of Buddhist thought. This group shows the deep respect for learning and wisdom within the Tibetan tradition. The diverse pantheon of deities in Tibetan Buddhism reflects the multifaceted path to enlightenment. Each deity embodies unique qualities, offering guidance. They also provide inspiration for practitioners.