Mahasiddha Ravigupta
This detail from the incredible thangka (scroll painting) shows the great accomplished master (drubchen/mahasiddha) Ravigupta practicing in a cave. Practicing in caves are common in the Buddhist world as it is a conscious withdrawal from the distractions of society where one can focus on gaining results of meditation. Hence many Buddhist masters meditated or gained experience in the undistracted solitude of caves. On the ceiling is a Tibetan style book held by a cloth and in the back as a special container used by siddhas known as samato, which contains all the samaya (commitment) substances and objects such as vajra and bell. All tantric practitioners must have these commitment objects with them as part of the practice. The word is related to samaya which are the commmitments taken before entering into retreat in order to realize the specific tantric practice after having received the respective empowerments (wang/abhisheka) from one’s Master. After empowerment, one is qualified to enter into deep daily meditations on one’s practice and or tutelary (yidam) deity to gain higher states of consciousness if not enlightenment itself.
Look at his eyes and gaze. Contemplative and meditative.
Leisurely sitting while joyfully drinking the nectar from a skull-cup expresses the direct experience of the bliss (great bliss of higher attainments) of unmodified and natural state of mind; the unmodified container or cup is the skull-cup which has not been made, artificially produced, etc. Powerful tantric symbolism.
Source FB and edited by Tsem Rinpoche
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The strong mind connection and the supernatural power of Mahasiddhas who spend his life meditating in cave and acquired magical powers from their spiritual practice. This supernatural stories of the mahasiddha helped to establish many Buddhist lineages and traditions.
Feeling great to have an opportunity to see the beautiful scroll painting of Mahasiddha Ravigupta in nature. Thank you for the sharing.
Beautiful painting of a mahasiddha. It appears he is in full concentration.
Beautiful scroll painting of a great accomplished master Mahasiddha Ravigupta practicing in a cave. Many Buddhist monks do mediate or gain experience in a cave on a mountain to disciple the mind and reduce afflictive emotions. It is a pursuit of a deeply “spiritual practice to get deeper into our consciousness. The scroll paintings paints a thousand words as the meditator drinking the nectar from a skull-cup and gazing with full concentration peacefully.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
The gazing of his eyes is penetrative, Rinpoche. As if thinking of something in full concentration, every minute every second. There’s no difference in between meditation and non meditation sessions. Just like Rinpoche has mentioned, it’s comtemplative and meditative.
Look at the samato that holds the samaya. It’s being put in high up. It’s so precious and sacred that it should held in highest regard.