The One Who Saves: Four-Armed Chenrezig
Four-Armed Chenrezig (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): Four-Armed Chenrezig and Dorje Shugden
Deity: Four-Armed Chenrezig (English)
Alternative names: Chaturbhuja Avalokiteshvara (Sanskrit); Chenrezig Chag Shipa (Tibetan)
Chenrezig is a popular archetypal Bodhisattva in the Sutras, in which he strives towards complete enlightenment. Within the teachings of Vajrayana Buddhism, Chenrezig is said to be a Buddha who attained full enlightenment during a previous aeon, only to manifest as a Bodhisattva on the spiritual path to inspire and bless many in our current aeon. Within the Sutras and Tantras, Chenrezig is known by many names including Avalokiteshvara, Lokeshvara, Avalokita, Lokanatha and Mahakarunika. He is famously considered one of the Eight Great Bodhisattva Disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni and for his landmark sermon at the behest of Buddha Shakyamuni, as narrated in the Heart Sutra.
Chenrezig’s sacred name literally means the “All-Seeing Lord”. He is regarded as the embodiment of compassion and his divine presence is invoked through his well-known six syllable mantra, OM MANI PADME HUM. In this thangka, he appears in his two-armed form called Padmapani. His left hand holds aloft the stem of an immaculate lotus, indicating that he is unstained by samsara and he has great compassion. Chenrezig’s practice is excellent for those who are angersome as his practice lessens anger and also for those who suffer from depression. In this image, Manjushri who is the Bodhisattva of wisdom stands to the left, and Vajrapani who is the Bodhisattva of spiritual power stands to the right.
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.
Click here for more beautiful thangkas.
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
I like this painting. Very nice colour combination, simple yet look so stunning. Even Lama Tsongkhapa emanation are depicted here separately. They are the great Buddha of Chenrezig, Vajrapani and Manjushri. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this nice painting and the description.
Wow ……..outstanding colour art painting of Four-Armed Chenrezig and Dorje Shugden. Beautiful thangka to have it on altar or in our home. Merely looking at it tells a thousand words. Its truly a blessing.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.