Flying Vajrayogini in Patan, Nepal
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
My students and friends have been in Kathmandu (Nepal) on a pilgrimage. JP (Head liaison of Tsem Ladrang) is leading a group of 7 people, where for 4 of them it is their first time to Nepal. Together with him is Adrian, Phoebe, William (from Penang study group), Wee Liang (Kechara House member), Jace (Producer of Kechara In Motion), Jean Mei (personal assistant blogger), Christine and Lina (both from Shanghai).
Today they went to a very holy site called Mahabuddha (also pronounced and can be spelt as Mahabouddha) which is located in Patan (a district in Kathmandu). There stands a very tall stupa, which is totally hidden from the main streets as it is covered by the surrounding residential, town buildings. The temple is modeled after the Mahabouddha Temple in Bodhgaya, India, where Buddha Shakyamuni gained enlightenment.
The temple structure is such that one would walk through the doors into a courtyard where there is a stupa surrounded by buildings. It’s quite a small courtyard as the stupa is quite big, so in order to see the other Buddha statues on one of the many levels of the stupa, you would have to go into the surrounding buildings to the 1st or 2nd floor and look out of the window.
What most pilgrims or visitors don’t know is that there is actually a Vajrayogini chapel in one of those buildings!!
My students and friends on pilgrimage in Nepal were lucky enough to visit the VERY very holy Vajrayogini chapel. The chapel has been taken care of by a family from generation to generation..for many, many years. They never allow the public to enter, only serious practitioners and sangha members are allowed inside.
Inside the chapel is a flying Vajrayogini statue enshrined in a room. With the help of a translator, the caretaker told my students and friends that the statue has been there for 545 years. He elaborated to say that there was an old lady who had come to Mahabuddha temple. Upon arrival, she told the people that Vajrayogini resided there, and that they should build a Vajrayogini chapel.
At that time, the temple was very unstable and in quite a bad shape. The people had wanted to rebuild the temple, but the old lady told them that they did not need to, that it would be ok. Mahabuddha was ok after her chapel was built inside.
This was told to my students and friends by the caretaker himself…where his father was the caretaker…and his father was the caretaker etc.
It has never been allowed to ever take a photo of this sacred and very holy statue, but my students were very lucky enough to be able to take them!! So here I am to share this with all of you.
Vajrayogini’s sacred chapel
My students and friends offered butterlamp offerings to Vajrayogini
Close-up shot of Vajrayogini
Below are more close-up shots of Vajrayogini:
Kandarohi, Vajra Yogini and Dorje Shugden. Kandarohi is one of the Four Heroines of the Cardinal Directions from Vajra Yogini’s mandala and is known as the “Goddess of Action”. Click on image to enlarge or click here for more beautiful thangkas.
For more interesting information:
- Vajrayogini Ugra-Tara in Sankhu, Nepal
- Sakya Lopon Sonam Tsemo – The One Who Ascended to Kechara Paradise
- Tsarchen Losal Gyatso: Lineage Holder of Vajrayogini’s Tantra
- Stunning Vajra Yogini Altar
- Shimmering Vajrayogini from Ms. Wahyu
- Starting On Vajra Yogini NOW! | 今天就开始修习金刚瑜伽母
- Power Place: Jog Falls
- Vajrayogini – The Powerful Divine Red Lady
- Twenty-Four Holy Places & Eight Great Charnel Grounds
- 6 Yogas of Naropa by H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche
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
This Vajrajogini should not be photographed. Please erase the pictures
I am quite surprised you were allowed to click pictures.
A sacred image of the rare form of Vajrayogini known as Ucheyma, the Buddha that shows us the path to eradicate the ego. For this and many other high-resolution images of the enlightened beings to download for free visit: https://bit.ly/2oxb4qU
Ucheyma (Severed Headed Vajrayogini) (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): H.H. the 7th Panchen Lama, Ucheyma (Severed Headed Vajrayogini), Vajra Varnani (green assistant), Vajra Vairocani (yellow assistant), Dorje Shugden and Citipati.
The central deity is known as Chinnamasta or Dorje Neljorma Ucheyma. Both Chinnamasta (Sanskrit) and Ucheyma (Tibetan) literally mean, ‘She Whose Head is Severed’. The meaning behind her form is to show practitioners that they need to completely remove the grasping and self-identification with the “I” or the ego. Generally, the identity of the self is strongly associated with our face more than any other part of our body. We usually recognise a person when we look at a person’s face. Hence, our self-identification or ego is strongly associated with our face. To show us that this self-identification needs to be overcome on the spiritual path to enlightenment, Vajrayogini uses her ritual chopper to decapitate herself. This is symbolic of her practice eradicating the ego.
The Severed Headed Vajrayogini, as she is also known, removes all afflictive mental constructs by removing the root cause – the identification of the self, the ego. We are either attached to or averse to people and circumstances because we have an ego to please, gratify and protect. But in the grander scheme of things, this self-identification with the ‘I’ is illusory and does not really exist. Therefore, Vajrayogini reveals this ultimate truth through the dramatic decapitation of her head and at the same time is still able to live and function. She is able to live due to her direct perception of emptiness and egolessness.
Contrary to what some people might think, the eradication of the self does not destroy individualism, our personality or make us into a mindless person. In fact, the eradication of the ego makes us become a vibrant and compassionate person, someone that has greater awareness of the suffering of others. In other words, we become much warmer, kinder, forgiving, tolerant, conscientious, generous, contemplative and we are become a joy to be with. The cutting of the ego or the ‘I’ brings us towards awakening our true self, the Buddha nature within.
The Severed Headed Vajrayogini has two dakini attendants. From the trunk of her neck, there are three severed blood vessels spurting three jets of blood that flow into the mouths of her own decapitated head that she carries in her left hand and into the mouths of her two attendants. Tsem Rinpoche explained that the three jets of blood represent that her practice purifies the three psychic poisons of ignorance, hatred and desire. In turn, this leads to the attainment of the three bodies of a Buddha – the emanation body, the enjoyment body and the truth body. In other words, the severance of the ego via her tantric path leads to the purification of all delusions and ultimately, the attainment of Buddhahood itself.
The 7th Panchen Lama, Palden Tenpai Nyima is featured floating above because of his compilation of sadhanas from the ancient Sadhanamala texts. This includes a particular sadhana or collection of prayers, visualisation and mantra focused on Ucheyma. Incidentally, Dorje Shugden in many of his previous lives was a lineage master of the Vajrayogini tantras as well. These previous lives include the likes of the Mahasiddha Naropa and Tsarchen Losel Gyatso. The Lord and Lady of the Charnel Ground, known as Citipati, are one of the main protectors of the Vajrayogini Tantra.
Last of all, the ascetic meditator engaging in his devotional practices towards Ucheyma in the cemetery represents the ideal environment for tantric practice because such environments invoke deep renunciation towards worldly affairs and attachments. All Buddhist traditions advocate meditating on the bones of the deceased because it reminds us of our mortality and hence, we develop revulsion towards the transient nature of worldly or ordinary existence.
More free downloads: https://bit.ly/2oxb4qU
Read more about Vajrayogini: https://bit.ly/2iVLCuG
Ucheyma (Severed Headed Vajrayogini) (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): Maitri Kacho (Flying Vajrayogini), Maitri Kacho (One-Leg Up Vajrayogini), Naro Kacho, Sukhasiddhi, Ucheyma (Severed Headed Vajrayogini), Vajra Varnani (green assistant), Vajra Vairocani (yellow assistant), Citipati, Vajravarahi and Dorje Shugden.
The central deity is known as Severed Headed Vajrayogini, Chinnamasta or Dorje Neljorma Ucheyma. Both Chinnamasta (Sanskrit) and Ucheyma (Tibetan) literally mean, ‘She Whose Head is Severed’. The meaning behind her form is to show practitioners that they need to completely remove the grasping and self-identification with the “I” or the ego. Generally, the identity of the self is strongly associated with our face more than any other part of our body. We usually recognise a person when we look at a person’s face. Hence, our self-identification or ego is strongly associated with our face. To show us that this self-identification needs to be overcome on the spiritual path to enlightenment, Vajrayogini uses her ritual chopper to decapitate herself. This is symbolic of her practice eradicating the ego.
The Severed Headed Vajrayogini removes all afflictive mental constructs by removing the root cause – the identification of the self, the ego. We are either attached to or averse to people and circumstances because we have an ego to please, gratify and protect. But in the grander scheme of things, this self-identification with the ‘I’ is illusory and does not really exist. Therefore, Vajrayogini reveals this ultimate truth through the dramatic decapitation of her head and at the same time is still able to live and function. She is able to live due to her direct perception of emptiness and egolessness.
Contrary to what some people might think, the eradication of the self does not destroy individualism, our personality or make us into a mindless person. In fact, the eradication of the ego makes us become a vibrant and compassionate person, someone that has greater awareness of the suffering of others. In other words, we become much warmer, kinder, forgiving, tolerant, conscientious, generous, contemplative and we are become a joy to be with. The cutting of the ego or the ‘I’ brings us towards awakening our true self, the Buddha nature within.
The Severed Headed Vajrayogini has two dakini attendants. From the trunk of her neck, there are three severed blood vessels spurting three jets of blood that flow into the mouths of her own decapitated head that she carries in her left hand and into the mouths of her two attendants. Tsem Rinpoche explained that the three jets of blood represent that her practice purifies the three psychic poisons of ignorance, hatred and desire. In turn, this leads to the attainment of the three bodies of a Buddha – the emanation body, the enjoyment body and the truth body. In other words, the severance of the ego via her tantric path leads to the purification of all delusions and ultimately, the attainment of Buddhahood itself.
Severed Headed Vajrayogini is surrounded by some of her other forms, including Naro Kacho, two forms of Maitri Kacho, Sukhasiddhi and Vajravarahi. These forms of Vajrayogini are more commonly practised compared to Severed Headed Vajrayogini and are prevalent in most Tibetan Buddhist lineages. Though they may look different, all forms are indivisible from her true nature and all her practices can lead practitioners to enlightenment. Naro Kacho arose from a vision beheld by the Mahasiddha Naropa, Maitri Kacho from a vision beheld by Maitripa, and Indra Kacho from a vision beheld by Indrabodhi. The Lord and Lady of the Charnel Ground, known as Citipati, are one of the main protectors of the Vajrayogini Tantra.
Last of all, Dorje Shugden is a protector with special affinity with Vajrayogini practitioners because he arose from an incarnation lineage that includes Naropa and Tsarchen Losel Gyatso who practised and proliferated her Tantra.
More free downloads: https://bit.ly/2oxb4qU
Read more about Vajrayogini: https://bit.ly/2iVLCuG
Vajrayogini (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): Naropa, Vajradharma, Hero Vajradharma, Naro Kacho, Maitri Kacho (Flying Vajrayogini), Dorje Shugden and Vajravarahi.
Vajrayogini is a female tantric Buddha and she has many forms that are derived from various lineages. She mainly embodies the fully enlightened female (shakti) aspect of a Buddha. She belongs to the Mother Tantra classification, which refers to her practice concentrating on the wisdom aspect of the path to Buddhahood. She is also the principal dakini, the compassionate female guides and nurturers of tantric meditation who lead practitioners to enlightenment. In the thangka, the main figure in the middle is Naro Kechari as she arose from the pure vision of the Mahasiddha Naropa.
In Anuttara (Highest) Yoga Tantra, principal dakinis normally appear in union with a male consort and this can be seen in the cases of deities such as Guhyasamaja, Hevajra, and Kalachakra. In the case of Vajrayogini, she is the principal female Buddha of the Chakrasamvara Tantra and therefore, she is normally in union with Heruka Chakrasamvara. Furthermore, Vajrayogini is also considered a Vajradakini, who are yidams or meditational deities in their own right. Their practices have evolved from the main practices of their consorts, simplifying the otherwise complicated original practice by reducing it to a single-deity meditation without sacrificing the main benefits and features of the original. Hence, Vajradakini practices such as Vajrayogini and Nairatmya are derived from the original Chakrasamvara Tantra and Hevajra Tantra respectively.
In essence, Vajrayogini is known as “Sarvabuddha-dakini” or the Dakini Who is the Essence of all Buddhas. Her mantra is known as the King of All Mantras as it has the most powerful ability to bless us with spiritual attainments even without any visualisation or meditation. There are 11 Yogas in the generation stage of her practice and a few which have the power of transforming ordinary actions like sleeping, waking and ordinary daily tasks into a collection of merits. Ultimately, her Tantra offers salvation for ordinary practitioners at death with her special promise of guiding practitioners towards Kechara, or the Paradise of the Dakinis, in which we can continue deep practices to become a Buddha without fear, obstacles and interruptions.
Within Vajrayogini practice, soliciting the blessings of the lama and the lineage master are of paramount importance in order for our practice to bear results. Hence, the lama is visualised as the red Vajradharma with arms crossed at the heart, holding the vajra and bell. The lineage masters are visualised as Hero Vajradharma, holding a damaru and skullcup while cradling a khatvanga. Aside from the main Naro Kechari form, Vajrayogini also appears in the form of Maitri Kechari, who is known as Flying Vajrayogini, and arose from the vision of Maitripa. Another common form is known as Indra Kechari, or Vajravarahi, who arose from the vision of Indrabodhi.
Last of all, Dorje Shugden is a Dharma protector with a special affinity with Vajrayogini practitioners. This is because he himself arose from an incarnation lineage that includes the likes of Naropa, the progenitor of Naro Kechari practice, and Tsarchen Losel Gyatso who had practised and proliferated her Tantra and is listed as one the lineage masters invoked upon every day by Vajrayogini practitioners.
More free downloads: https://bit.ly/2oxb4qU
Read more about Vajrayogini: https://bit.ly/2iVLCuG
Original illustration and text posted by Eric D Hatchell as a reply to H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s facebook post on Vajrayogini here: http://bit.ly/VYogini0001
The Dākiṇī with the Essence of all Buddhas, Vajrayoginī
Her practice includes methods to end the otherwise repetitive states of Bardo and rebirth, by transforming the process into a journey, which may lead to full enlightenment. In preparation for which, Vajrayoginī further offers the omnipresent ability to reconstruct the nature of the most, mundane everyday experiences, such that they may reveal higher destinations, via the spiritual paths she may choose to reveal. [1] Vajrayoginī being defined as, “The Dākiṇī who is the Essence of all Buddhas”, [2] is amplified by scholar Miranda Shaw when she implied that this deity is no less than, the supreme nature of the very Tantric pantheon. No male Buddha, including her divine consort, Heruka-Cakrasaṃvara, further advances her in metaphysical implications. [3]
Vajrayoginī’s sādhanā originates from India circa 10/12th C, [4] when summoned as Heruka-Cakrasaṃvara’s Yab-Yum consort [5], with later forms including Vajrayoginī as “Solitary Hero”, she may be visualized with the deep red complexion of a 16-year-old female, whose stance is nude amidst a blazing fire of pristine awareness and most exalted wisdom. Her head is adorned with a crown of five skulls and upon her forehead, the third eye of wisdom is set vertically (represented here by an auspicious jewel). She drapes a necklace of fifty dried human skulls and is depicted with her traditional vajra-handled knife in her right hand; with a blood filled kapala in her left, she drinks with upturned head while looking above, toward the pure realm of Khechara. This seemingly gruesome gesture is actually symbolic of her clear light in great joy, known as “mahasukha” (the great bliss), [6] [7] thus the blood she drinks may be offered to us all as if a fine wine.
Resting on the left shoulder is a Katvanga staff as she stands tall with her two feet, trampling the bodies of red Kalaratri and black Bhairava (with heads bending backward), representing the embodiment of illusion and ego-awareness. The composition, all of which rests above a sun disc
and multicolored lotus pedestal, she is rendered here after a thankga of Naropa Tradition (passed down from a special teaching of the Indian Mahasiddha Naropa). Vajrayoginī herself may be classified as the personification of “Wisdom” or “Mother” and her practice originates with the Chakrasamvara Cycle of Tantras, which is one of the five principal tantric practices of the Sakya School, although found in one form or another, she is included in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. [8]
Vajrayoginī also appears in versions from the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, with one popular system having the practitioner visualize themselves as Vajrayoginī, as such, their guru taking the form of Milarepa. [9] Thus depicted above the central deity here we see Milarepa on our right, with his great Guru Marpa left (whose guru was Naropa himself, and other great Indian masters). [10]
Vajrayoginī is a simplified, single most form of the female Buddha, who is otherwise a collection of alternate forms. From her sādhanās she is visualized in English terms as “Vajra Sow”, “Wrathful Lady”, “Fierce Black One”, and other such similar manifestations of female energy found in numerous iconographic renderings and traditions. Each feature of Vajrayoginī’s visualization conveys important spiritual concept. For example, her three eyes indicate her ability to see all (past, present and future); her red-colored body symbolizes the blazing of her ”inner fire”, and the curved knife she wields, demonstrates the power to sever the delusions and obstacles of her followers and of all living beings. [11]
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Wordmarque Design and Photography
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References:
[1] Gyatso, Kelsang. Guide to Dakini Land: The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Buddha Vajrayogini. London: Tharpa, 1996, p.xii.
[2] “The Berzin Archives.” Bonding Practices for Mother Tantra. Accessed February 18, 2016. http://www.berzinarchives.com/…/bonding_prac_mother_tantra_….
[3] Shaw, Miranda Eberle. Buddhist Goddesses of India. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2006, p. 8.
[4] English, Elizabeth. Vajrayoginī: Her Visualizations, Rituals & Forms: A Study of the Cult of Vajrayoginī in India. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2002.
[5] “Vajrasattva (Buddhist Deity) – White (with Consort).” Vajrasattva (Buddhist Deity). Accessed February 18, 2016. http://www.himalayanart.org/items/77598.
[6] Gyatso, Kelsang. Guide to Dakini Land: The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Buddha Vajrayogini. London: Tharpa, 1996 p. 123-127.
[7] Glenn H. Mullin
[8] “Item: Vajrayogini (Buddhist Deity) – (Naropa Tradition).” Vajrayogini (Buddhist Deity). Accessed February 18, 2016. http://www.himalayanart.org/items/290.
[9] English, Elizabeth. Vajrayoginī: Her Visualizations, Rituals & Forms: A Study of the Cult of Vajrayoginī in India. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2002, p. xxiii.
[10] Drinking the Mountain Stream: Songs of Tibet’s Beloved Saint, Milarepa … by Mi-la-ras-pa, Rinpoche Lama Kunga, Brian Cutillo, p.305.
[11] Gyatso, Kelsang. Guide to Dakini Land: The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Buddha Vajrayogini. London: Tharpa, 1996, p.123-127.
The current form of Naro Kacho Vajra Yogini appeared to the Indian Mahasiddha Naropa after he meditated intensely on her practice inside a cave. He beheld her glorious form in a vision. This unique form became known as Naropa’s Vajra Yogini or Naro Kacho, as it had never existed before. Later, in Tibet, His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche also had visions of Vajra Yogini. His vision differed slightly from the vision of her that Naropa beheld. In the original Naro Kacho form, Vajra Yogini looks towards her pure land named Kechara. However in Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche’s vision, she looked straight at him, symbolic of the deity empowering him to bestow her practice to many people in order to benefit them. The practice of Vajra Yogini belongs to the Highest Yoga Tantra classification that leads to tremendous inner transformation and can even grant enlightenment within just one lifetime.
Video of Tsem Rinpoche’s shrine taken July 16, 2018. Very beautiful, well done and meticulous.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPAfpMoN2bA
Video of Tsem Rinpoche’s shrine taken July 16, 2018.
Very beautiful, well done and meticulous.
https://video.tsemtulku.com/chat-videos/chat-1531752637.mp4
Vajra Yogini has many different forms and in each of these forms, the positioning of her sacred body, the various implements she holds and the expressions on her face have profound meaning into various aspects of enlightenment. The implements she holds, the expressions on her face, and her body symbolise specific aspects of enlightenment that suit people during a particular time and place according to their karma. So, therefore, Vajra Yogini’s pose, forms and emanations change over time in order to suit different karmically-connected practitioners. It will keep changing because enlightenment is fluid, compassionate and skilful. To gaze upon Vajra Yogini is to look at a complete ‘roadmap’ to enlightenment as every aspect of her body is a manifestation of enlightenment. Therefore to have her form, picture, painting or statue is very blessed. We should make offerings to her daily diligently.
After the great Mahasiddha Naropa had served his guru the Mahasiddha Tilopa for 12 years, Tilopa conferred the Vajra Varahi (another form of Vajra Yogini) initiation with full instructions unto Naropa. Then, Naropa diligently meditated on Vajra Varahi and had a vision of her, and when she appeared to him directly, she appeared in the form of Vajra Yogini. Normally, when he engaged in the Vajra Yogini (Vajravarahi) practice, she was in the form of facing him directly, holding a skull cup and a curved flaying knife in front of her heart. One leg was up and one leg was down as in a dancing pose. That was the form of Vajra Yogini that he had meditated on to gain the highest attainments.
After he had meditated on Vajra Varahi and gained visions of her, she appeared to him in a different form, with her face looking up at Kechara Paradise instead of facing him directly. Her left hand holding the skullcup was thrust in the air and her right hand holding the curved flaying knife, also known as a cemetery knife was facing down at sentient beings or samsara to help beings cut their bonds to suffering. Her left leg was bent, and her right extended while standing in a pose of looking towards Kechara Paradise like she is about to take off there. This form signifies she will take you there and out of suffering. That form of Vajra Yogini became special and that was called Naro Kacho or the Vajra Yogini of Naropa. This Naropa’s Vajra Yogini was initiated to the Nepalese Pamtingpa brothers and they meditated diligently and this tradition of Naropa’s Vajra Yogini just became prevalent and took off from there. Naropa started initiating his other disciples as well into this special form of Vajra Yogini and she became known as Naropa’s Vajra Yogini till this day and it is considered a highly blessed lineage. That is the lineage we have now and most prevalent.
She is looking up because this Naropa’s Vajra Yogini is indicating she will lead her practitioners to her Kechara Paradise within one lifetime if you are diligent in her practice. Realizing enlightenment is harder for people in today’s world and needs more time during Kaliyuga degenerate period, she leads you to her paradise where you can practice undisturbed to Buddha-hood.
In this brilliant artwork, what you see is the Mahasiddha Naropa having a direct vision of Vajra Yogini. It’s the first time she has appeared to Naropa in this form. This form is associated with Naropa. Prior to Naropa, this form of Vajra Yogini did not exist. She in this vision is initiating him into this form (Naro Kacho) of herself indicating this form will be most efficacious now according to our karmic period. In the background, you will see a cave with a light in it because when Naropa used to meditate in that cave, it is said that from his body would emit a light and people could see it from afar. You can also see animals surrounding Vajra Yogini, they can feel her compassion and her great blessings and they are at peace around her.
Vajra Yogini brings peace, love, compassion, wisdom and freedom to everyone who practices her incredibly powerful tantra. Therefore, this artwork is a very beautiful representation of the time when Naropa had a vision of Vajra Yogini in this form for the first time and it is now known as Naropa’s Vajra Yogini. This artwork was offered to me as a gift from a very talented artist. I deeply appreciate this piece of visual spirituality very much.
Tsem Rinpoche
To download for your shrine, please click here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=62528
Very blessed to see this sacred Lady Vajrayogini statue in Patan, Nepal. Hope I have the merits to visit this beautiful sacred temple or have our own similar one in Kechara Forest Retreat in the future ? Thank you very much Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this very beautiful Lady Vajrayogini from Nepal. ??
Wow ……so fortunate able to have a look at the beautiful flying Vajrayogini at the chapel at Patan,Nepal. How blessed it will be for those who were on pilgrimage in Nepal ,was allowed into the Chapel as this Chapel are not open to public. Recording to the care taker the statue has been there for 545 years.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this post with beautiful pictures .
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the holy Flying Vajrayogini pictures here. We are so fortunate to be able to have a glimpse of Vajrayogini chapel as it is not open to public. Thank you JP and team for taking all the beautiful pictures in the chapel.
From Tsem Rinpoche: Every person who has Maha-anuttaratantra empowerments (Eg. Heruka, Guhyasamaja, Yamantaka, Vajra Yogini, Chittamani-Tara, Kalacakra, Hevajra, Gyalwa Gyatso Chenresig, etc) should keep a copy of this on their shrine or prayer book. These are all the ritual items tantric practitioner must keep by commitment. If it is in picture form, it is alright also.
Thank you, Rinpoche for sharing about this chapel with us and bless us with these images of this Vajrayogini. This is a very holy place with a very beautiful flying Vajrayogini. It has to be a very special chapel as it has been taken of by the same family for so many generations.
I do hope that the earthquake in 2015 did not do too much damage to the chapel as Patan was almost decimate din the quake. It definitely would be a place to visit again and again.
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Thank you Rinpohe for sharing these sacred pictures here. I feel blessed even just by looking at these pictures. I believe being there physically will give any person a powerful impression of Vajrayogini (VY).
A BIG THANK YOU to the team as well for I believe there may have been some efforts spent before they were allowed to take pictures.
I just step onto the path of spirituality, but I know through reading that one can control his/her rebirth if he/she does practices on VY. Practices on VY can be so powerful!
I have always like travelling, it always gives me chances to see how diverse our world is. I would love to have a time when I can be on a pilgrimage tour. I believe it will be a journey that will give both a powerful as well as an enriching experience for my spiritual practices.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you Rinpoche for the kind words.I shall do exactly as Rinpoche said. I am aware that sometime I slip, but I’ll just stand up again. We will make it happen in Shanghai. It will be a reality rather than only a hope!
Love,
Christine
Dear Rinpoche,
The trip to Nepal was one of the best trips I ever had. Before that, I never liked traveling with big groups (more than 4 people); I never liked visiting temples (especially when there are many people in it). Then I had this trip with a group of kind, patient & fun people and visiting temples Every Day!!! And I was happy every moment. I was VERY lucky to see all these holy chapels.
A lot of things have changed since I met Rinpoche last November. I am a member of Kechara now; I am a Buddhist now; I am still not a strict vegetarian but I don’t cook or order meat dishes as before. And I am happy and content with my life because I know how to make it meaningful- To help others find their happiness in their lives.
Love,
Christine
Dear Christine, What a beautiful comment you left. The comment is from your heart and real. I like it very much. You have just started on your spiritual journey. You have so much to learn and understand in the future that will quench your thirsty intelligence. You are very intelligent for sure. You use your intelligence for something higher and that is beautiful. I am very happy for you. I wish you to please go all the way with your spiritual practice. And bring it to many in Shanghai. Sacrifice yourself for the many. Sacrifice means to work for others tirelessly. It is the purpose of life. Tsem Rinpoche
Rinpoche, no words to say thank you for enabling us to enter this holy sanctum with you. We are blessed to behold this sacred vision in our hearts. My gratitude also to your students who had the merit to make this pilgrimage, and honour Vajrayogini with prayers and beautiful offerings. May all their aspirations be fulfilled
Thank you for sharing these pictures. We are so lucky to even look at these pictures of the beautiful Holy Lady, Vajroyogini. I hope that one day when I visit Nepal I will have the merits to visit this wonderful chapel and make an offering to the Red Lady herself.
This is the VY chapel that I missed visiting in my first trip to Kathmandu in April 2009. I really want to go and pay my respects to the Flying VY statue in Patan. She is so glorious in every way. Thank you so much for sharing this precious photos here, Rinpoche. I feel most fortunate just to be able to view them all.
With folded hands
When I met Rinpoche in 1992 he introduced me to Vajrayogini which was the normal Vajrayogini that we see. I didn’t know there were so many version of Vajrayogini. Then during one of my trips to visit Rinpoche there happen to be a Vajrayogini Initiation. Rinpoche was so kind to encourage us and have teachings translated into English and explained to us. All I knew there was only one type of Vajrayogini. I was surprised when Paul of Kechara discovery came up with the Vajrayogini coffee table book and there was so many types of Vajrayogini. I am sure it has broadened the knowledge of people about the various types of Vajrayogini.
Beautiful/powerful/serene, thank you so much for sharing this photos!
hi dear rimpoche guru thanks to share about our flying bajrayogini im from the patan its different city from the distric called lalitpur not kathmandu its the city of art i am a guy of this place
Simply stunning and glorious Vajra Queen in all Her splendor!!! Thank you for posting such rare images!!! You guys have done it again…
Dear Rinpoche, thank you for sharing with us the holy picture of the sacred Vajrayogini statue. Thank you very much!
Dakini is rendered khandroma which means ‘she who traverses the sky’ or ‘she who moves in space’. To me, presentation is very important. A female embodiment of enlightened energy in space got to be a female Guru who travel a lot by airplane from place to place to teach the Dharma or to delivery a message of enlightenment. So, what is her image in your mind.
Woh…. Amazing ! ! So lucky to have see this now. Tantric Buddhism is really unique from other form / schools of Buddhism as i see it. But was wondering why even certain images or statues of Buddhas or Dakinis be kept secret and not shown to others. Its higher practices are kept secret is understandable but why even the images ? ? Just curious. I think Lord Sakyamuni would have been very fond if everyone sees it so that connection can be made in this life or future life’s.
Dear Liew,
A very good question indeed. I do have one possible answer in mind. Since the practice is secret and sacred, and hence does the statue too. Some might generate wrong view upon seeing it? We definitely need someone who is qualified enough to explain it. By the way, very very happy to even seeing these images in Rinpoche’s blog.
Thank you to Rinpoche.
This blog is really cool. It is just like the Discovery Channel. (Forgive me if I were to compare it inappropriately)