Cittipati: The Lord and Lady of the Charnel Ground
Cittipati (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Cittipati, Vajra Yogini, Dorje Shugden and Trakze.
Deity: Cittipati (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Durdak Yabyum (Tibetan); Shri Shmashana Adhipati (Sanskrit)
According to scriptural sources, Cittipati is also known as Shri Shmashana Adhipati, which literally means ‘Lord and Lady of the Charnel Ground’. The practice of propitiating Cittipati arises from the Secret Essence Wheel Tantra. This tantra is closely associated with the Chakrasamvara Tantra, the scriptural source of the Vajra Yogini practice. Cittipati is regarded as the emanations of Heruka and Vajra Yogini, therefore, they are in essence, enlightened wisdom protectors.
The Secret Essence Wheel Tantra contains various instructions and descriptions of this protector deity. From the description in the text, Cittipati is primarily propitiated as a wealth practice along with an added emphasis on protection from thieves. Nevertheless, they also serve as the special protector for the Vajra Yogini Naro Khechari practice. Therefore, Cittipati is widely practised amongst the practitioners of Vajra Yogini in order to remove the heavy obstacles that obstruct meditations that bestow swift attainments.
Deity: Naro Kechari Vajra Yogini (Sanskrit)
Alternative name: Dorje Neljorma (Tibetan)
This form of Vajra Yogini arose from a pure vision beheld by the Mahasiddha Naropa, which is why she is sometimes called Naro Kechari, meaning Naropa’s Dakini. ‘Naro’ here refers to Naropa and ‘kacho’ is a Tibetan word referring to the dakini from Kechara. Kechara is Vajra Yogini’s pure land where she resides. Her mantra is commonly referred to as the King of All Mantras because mere recitation of the mantra alone, without any accompanying visualisation or meditation, has the most powerful ability to bless practitioners with spiritual attainments.
Ultimately, her practice offers salvation for ordinary practitioners at the time of death through her special promise of guiding practitioners towards Kechara or the Paradise of the Dakinis. There, we can continue deep practices on the journey to becoming a Buddha in an accelerated manner, without fear, obstacles and interruptions.
Deity: Trakze Dorje Shugden (Tibetan)
Karma Shugden or Trakze is the most wrathful emanation of Dorje Shugden. In fact, he emanated from Dorje Shugden’s aggregate of compositional factors. Thus, he is known to wrathfully destroy insurmountable obstacles and life-threatening situations.
Deity: Dorje Shugden (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Vajra Rudra (Sanskrit)
Dorje Shugden is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri. He took the form of a Dharma Protector in order to safeguard the Buddha’s teachings, especially the important teachings on the Middle Way View. Reminiscent of Manjushri’s form, Dorje Shugden carries a meandering sword and rides a snowlion that represents the fearlessness of a fully enlightened Buddha. Thus, he has great strength to overcome obstacles of the body, speech and mind, and create suitable conditions for our spiritual practice to flourish. Furthermore, he carries a jewel-spitting mongoose and a vajra hook to symbolise that he has the tremendous ability to bestow wealth and resources.
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