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.
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.
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.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.