100 Deities of Bardo State - The Six Realms of Existence (Part 3)

Bardo, The Intermediate State:

The assembly mandala of Bardo deities depicts a perfected state of beings and the central deities within, symbolizes the perfected states of the meditators' own awareness, psycho-physical aggregates, elemental properties and sensory and mental process.

The peaceful deities symbolize the natural purity of these fundamental components of beings while the wrathful deities are the transformative aspects of the energies. The outer deities of these mandalas are the mode of activities of an enlightened being.

100 Deities of Bardo (Intermediate State)

Bardo, The Intermediate State: The assembly of 100 deities: 1) The 42 peaceful deities 2) The 58 wrathful deities

The Six Realms of Existence

The Six Realms of Existence of the assembly of the 42 peaceful deities represent are the supreme Nirmanakaya Buddhas for each of the six realms of beings. They are:

1) Name - Indrasakra

    Color  -  White

    Attributes - Lute                       

    Symbol - Purity of Pride         

    Realm - God 

2) Name - Vemacitra                    

     Color - Green

     Attributes  - Sword & Armour  

     Symbol - Purity of Envy        

     Realm - Demi-gods or Asura 

3) Name - Shakyamuni

    Color - Yellow

    Attributes - A monk's Staff & bowl

    Symbol - Purity of Attachment

    Realm - Human 

4) Name - Sthirasimha or Shravasingha

    Color - Blue

    Attributes -  Book

    Symbol - Purity of Delusion

    Realm - Animal 

5) Name - Jvalamukha or Jvalamukhadeva

    Color - Red

    Attributes -  Wish granting Casket

    Symbol - Purity of Miserliness

    Realm - Preta 

6) Name - Yama Dharmaraja

    Color - Black

    Attributes -  A flame & Water

    Symbol - Purity of Aversion

    Realm - Hell 

 

The Anatomy of Wheel of Life - The Six Realms of Existence

Wheel of Life is a complex mandala that portrays the circle of existence of beings as per the Buddhist philosophy. It is indeed a widely popular subject and incorporates all the important topics of Buddhism, such as the four Noble Truths, the origin and causes of sufferings, the cyclic phenomenon of our existence, impermanence and more.

Wheel of life is a profound depiction of the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha that shows how a deluded state of mind imprisons us within the circle of sufferings. And as long as we are not enlightened, we remain imprisoned by the sufferings within this circle. This portrayal is actually a visual aid that gives us a clear understanding of how a mind works.    

It is also called as “Bhava Chakra” in Sanskrit language. Composed of two words “Bhava” and “Chakra”, it means the circle or the rotation of the Worldly existence or Samsara. This reflects our both external and internal conditions within this cycle.

How did the Wheel of Life originated?

It was during the time of Shakyamuni Buddha, when the First Wheel of Life diagram was made. There was a king named Bimbisara in the kingdom of Magadha. He was one of the chief patrons of Shakyamuni.

One day, the king received a very precious gift from his friend who was also a king from a neighboring land. Upon the receiving the gift, King Bimbisara was in great dilemma, as he could not think of a suitable return gift. Then, Shakyamuni suggested him that a “wheel of life” diagram would be a perfect gift to return to his friend. He also explained the clear instruction on how to draw the picture.

When Bimbisara presented his friend the completed picture of Wheel of life, he was extremely happy and immediately developed renunciation. As he read the stanza inscribed beneath the diagram, he felt the powerful inspiration of the Shakyamuni Buddha. Soon, the whole kingdom contemplated on the Wheel of life Thangka and everyone was greatly benefited.

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Please help us and to develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you, but to all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us to enhance our work and to accomplish for a better and brighter prospect to come. 


Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.


Aspiration For Bodhichitta
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease
But increase further and further.


Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.
With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.


*Note
I do not own or infringe any copyright of the picture(s).
Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.
Picture(s) is/are intended for editorial use only.

100 Deities of Bardo State - The Eight Female Offering Goddesses ( Part 2 )

Bardo, The Intermediate State:

The assembly mandala of Bardo deities depicts a perfected state of beings and the central deities within, symbolizes the perfected states of the meditators' own awareness, psycho-physical aggregates, elemental properties and sensory and mental process.

The peaceful deities symbolize the natural purity of these fundamental components of beings while the wrathful deities are the transformative aspects of the energies. The outer deities of these mandalas are the mode of activities of an enlightened being.

100 Deities of Bardo (Intermediate State)

Bardo, The Intermediate State: The assembly of 100 deities: 1) The 42 peaceful deities 2) The 58 wrathful deities

The 42 peaceful deities of Bardo - The Eight Female Bodhisattvas

Similarly the eight female Bodhisattvas are described as follows. They represent the four sense objects and the four phases of the conceptual thought (past, present, future and indeterminate stage).

The Eight Female Bodhisattvas are typically associated with offering goddesses and the goddesses of the Five Senses: Lasya, Malya, Gita, Nrtya, Pushpa, Dhupa, Aloka and Gandha. They are also referred to as the eight offering goddesses. They are the consorts of the eight great Bodhisattvas:

1. Lasya, Vajra family: Goddess of Beauty - The consort of Kshitigarbha

Quartz White in Color

To the front of Vajrasattva

Holding a mirror and a bell

Symbolizing the purity of visual phenomenon.

2. Pushpa, Vajra family: Goddess of Flowers - The consort of Sarvanivaranavishkambhin Pearl White in color Behind of Vajrasattva Holding a flower symbolizing the purity of past conceptual thoughts.

3. Malya, Ratna family: Goddess of Garlands - The consort of Akashagarbha Saffron yellow in color In front of Ratnasambhava Holding a garland symbolizing the purity of indeterminate conceptual thoughts.

4 . Dhupa, Ratna family: Goddess of Incense - The consort of Maitreya

Golden yellow in color Behind of Ratnasambhava Holding an incense symbolizing the purity of Fragrance.

5 . Gita, Padma family: Goddess of Song - The consort of Vajrapani Marsh mallow pink in color In front of Amitabha Holding a gong symbolizing the purity of Sound.

6 . Aloka, Padma family: Goddess of Light - The consort of Samantabhadra Lotus pink in color Behind of Amitabha Holding a butter lamp symbolizing the purity of future conceptual thoughts.

7 . Gandha, Karma family: Goddess of Perfume - The consort of Manjushri

Poopy Green in color In front of Amoghasiddhi Holding a conch shell symbolizing the purity of present conceptual thoughts.

8 . Nrtya, Karma family: Goddess of Dance - The consort of Avalokiteshvara Marine Green in color Behind Amoghasiddhi Holding a food offering symbolizing the purity of taste.

For (Donations for our Buddhist research and development) 
Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?  


We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in the year 2008, we had been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 13 years.  We have exceptionally constrained supports and do not receive subsidized or funding from people in general. 


Please help us and to develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you, but to all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us to enhance our work and to accomplish for a better and brighter prospect to come. 


Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.


Aspiration For Bodhichitta
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease
But increase further and further.


Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.
With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.


*Note
I do not own or infringe any copyright of the picture(s).
Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.
Picture(s) is/are intended for editorial use only.

100 Deities of Bardo State - 5 Buddhas and 8 Male Bodhisattvas (Part 1)

Bardo, The Intermediate State:

The assembly mandala of Bardo deities depicts a perfected state of beings and the central deities within, symbolizes the perfected states of the meditators' own awareness, psycho-physical aggregates, elemental properties and sensory and mental process.

The peaceful deities symbolize the natural purity of these fundamental components of beings while the wrathful deities are the transformative aspects of the energies. The outer deities of these mandalas are the mode of activities of an enlightened being.

100 Deities of Bardo (Intermediate State) Bardo, The Intermediate State: The assembly of 100 deities: 1) The 42 peaceful deities 2) The 58 wrathful deities

The 42 peaceful deities of Bardo - Buddha Samantabhadra and Mother Samantabhadri.

In this center of this assembly is the primordial Buddha Samantabhadra, who is depicted as embracing mother Samantabhadri. He is located in the central position, radiantly blue in color while the mother is white, stainless like a crystal. He, the Buddha body of reality seats on a meditative equipoise.

This union is the representation of the awareness aspects of the Buddha body of reality. The natural purity of mental consciousness and free from the fundamental ignorance.

The Five Buddhas And Five Female Buddhas - The 10 families

The five Buddhas of different family represent the five pure cognitions and the natural purity of the five psycho-physical aggregates. Similarly the five female Buddhas are the natural purity of the five elements.

1. Vairochana and Akasadhatvisvari

Within the central channel of the heart is the Buddha Vairochana and his consort Akasadhatvisvari embracing each other. They belong to the enlightened family of Buddha. Both of them are brilliantly white in color. Vairochana holds a Wheel and a Bell. This union represents the pristine cognition of reality's expanse, and free from the delusion.

2. Akshobya-Vajrasattva and Buddhalochana

They reside in the eastern channel in a union of supreme bliss, representing the mirror like pristine cognition and free from aversion. 

He is azure blue in color and holds a Vajra and a Bell while the mother Buddhalochana is light blue. They belong to the Vajra family.

3. Ratnasambhava and Mamaki

Towards the southern channel is the Buddha Ratnasambhava in a blissful union with female Buddha Mamaki. Radiantly yellow in color Ratnasambhava holds a jewel and a bell in his hands and seated in crossed leg position. 

This union represents the combination of radiance and emptiness. They belong to the Ratna family, symbolizing the pristine cognition of sameness and free from pride.

4. Amitabha and Pandaravasini

The reside towards the western channel, embracing each other in a blissful union that depicts the pristine cognition of discernment and free from attachments. 

They belong to the Padma (Lotus) family. Amitabha is Copper red in color, and holds a lotus and a bell while Pandaravasini is in the color of fire crystal red.

5. Amoghasiddhi and Samayatara

They are portrayed towards the northern channel. Colored in radiant turquoise, green, he holds a crossed Vajra (Viswavajra) and a bell in his hands. The union represents the pristine cognition of accomplishment and free from envy. They belong to the Karma family.

The Eight Male Bodhisattva

According the Guhyasamaja Tantra, these eight male Bodhisattva is the representation of the four senses and the four sense organs. 

1. Kshitigarbha, Vajra family

Snow mountain White in color

To the right side of Vajrasattva 

Holding a seedling and a bell

Symbolizing the natural purity of visual consciousness.

2. Maitreya, Vajra family

Cloudy White in color

To the left of Vajrasattva

Holding a blossoming orange bush and a bell

Symbolizing the natural purity of auditory consciousness

3. Samantabhadra, Ratna family

Amber Yellow in color

To the right of Ratnasambhava

Holding a grain sheath and a bell

Symbolizing the natural purity of olfactory consciousness

4. Akasagarbha, 虛空藏菩薩 Ratna family

Burnished golden Yellow in color

To the right of Ratnasambhava

Holding a sword and a bell

Symbolizing the purity of gustatory consciousness

5. Avalokiteshvara, Padma family

Coral Red in color

To the right of Amitabha

Holding a Lotus and a bell

Symbolizing the purity of tactile consciousness

6. Manjushrikumarabhuta, Padma family

Orange Red in color

To the left of Amitabha

Holding a sword and a bell

Symbolizing the purity of mental consciousness

7. Nivaranaviskambhin 除盖障菩薩 , Karma family

Green as the night flowering lotus

To the right of Amogasiddhi

Holding a book and a bell

Symbolizing the purity of "ground of all" consciousness

8. Vajrapani, Karma family

Emerald Green in color

To the left of Amogasiddhi

Holding a Vajra and bell

Symbolizing the purity of the defiled consciousness

For (Donations for our Buddhist research and development) 
Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?  


We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in the year 2008, we had been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 13 years.  We have exceptionally constrained supports and do not receive subsidized or funding from people in general. 


Please help us and to develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you, but to all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us to enhance our work and to accomplish for a better and brighter prospect to come. 


Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.


Aspiration For Bodhichitta
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease
But increase further and further.


Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.
With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.


*Note
I do not own or infringe any copyright of the picture(s).
Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.
Picture(s) is/are intended for editorial use only.