The Living Journal – Vaishravana, The Chief Guardian Of The Four Heavenly Gates.

Vaishravana is the Sanskrit term and in Tibetan’s language, He is known as “Namthose” and widely being practiced by many Tibetan practitioners. Vaishravana occupies the highest position of the Four Guardian Kings and specifically protects Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings, protecting those who practice self-discipline. 

Because his breath is harmful He keeps His mouth tightly closed. He confers spiritual and material wealth on practitioners of the Dharma, symbolized by the jewel-producing mongoose in his left hand.

From their looks you might think they are evils and the demonic terrifying appearances. But Dharmapalas are wrathful bodhisattvas who protect Buddhists and the Dharma. Their terrifying appearance is meant to frighten forces of evil. The eight Dharmapalas listed blow are considered the principal Dharmapalas.

Vaisravana is an adaptation of Kubera (Black Jambhala) , the Deity of Wealth. In Vajrayana Buddhism, Vaisravana is thought to bestow prosperity, which gives people freedom to pursue spiritual goals. In art, He is usually corpulent and covered in jewels. 

Vaishravana or Namthose is often depicted on the outer walls of the monasteries and temples, as a safeguard harmful interference.
His symbols are a lemon and a mongoose, and He also is one of the Dharmapala in the Eight Dharmapala families.  Vaishravana is the Chief Guardian of the Four Great heavenly Kings and leader of the Yakshas. Vaishravana and the others guarded on the four directions of the heavenly Gates is to safeguard harmful interference and specifically protect Shakyamuni Buddha’s precious Dharma teachings. 

The Guardian of the Four Heavenly Gates:-

• Eastern Heavenly Gate  – Chief Dhritarashtra , leader of the Ganhabbas. (guitar)
• Southern Heavenly Gate – Chief Virudhaka , leader of the Kumbhandas. (sword)
• Western Heavenly Gate  – Chief Virupaksha , leader of the Dragons. (snake)
• Northern Heavenly Gate – Chief Vaishravana amongst of the Four Guardians. Leader of the Yakshas.
• One celestial day of the Four heavenly realms are = 50 years on earth.
• The lifespan of the Four Heavenly Chiefs are said to be about 500 celestial years. 

By making connection through various means like paying homage to Vaishravana or Namthose, by reciting His *mantra and offering the following to praise Him :-

• Flowers
• Lights (candle)
• Incenses
• Music
• Jewels
• Water-nectar
• Black tea
• Fruits
• Grains
• Medicine herbs

There are so many inner obstacles to the development of our minds and these inner obstacles create many outer obstacles. Therefore, for the success of our Dharma practices, of our actualizing the graduated path to enlightenment, we must rely upon a special Yidam or Buddha such as the Compassionate Goddess of Mother Tara, and Vaishravana etc.

The consequence of all these is to ultimately actualize everlasting bliss and enlightenment. Further, one will always gain great in Dharma wealth and material wealth, encounter true and helpful companions and assistants. 

All practices on the path to Buddha hood are methods for gathering the accumulations of merit and wisdom and for purifying our obscurations. These two processes of accumulation and purification go hand in hand; as we accumulate more merit and wisdom, our obscurations automatically diminish.

You will get support in both worldly and spiritual activities from your family and friends, gain protection and secure wealth and merits and all goodness and inspirations.   

Tibetan consider Vaishravana sentiment regarding wealth to be providing freedom by way of bestowing prosperity, so that one may focus on the path or spirituality rather than on the materiality and temporality of that wealth.  

*Footnote

In Vajrayana features countless skilful and powerful methods which, if they are practiced in the proper way, can make the process of accumulation and purification incredibly swift and direct. 

Recitation of mantras, which require empowerment, so always to be guided by your teacher or Lama and lineage master. Please consult your Guru or a qualified lineage master for Dharmapala practices! Should a devotee even want to start studying and contemplating the Tantric, then it is truly necessary to first have completed the preliminaries and to be certain and sure that Bodhicitta has arisen and developed in one’s mind. 

It is absolutely necessary to have the pure motivation and to know that Dharmapala practice is not carried out to increase one’s own ego, power and profit. Negative intentions of any kind may not be.

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

Nagarjuna's Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migrators 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 these pictures.

Pictures courtesy and credit to the rightful owners.