Featured image: Simkamukha fragment. From thangka-art.com Simhamukha is a supreme dakini in Tibetan Buddhism, who combines anthropomorphic and zoomorphic features. She is an wrathful emanation of Guhya Jnana Dakini (Tib. Sangwa Yeshe Khandroma) and is revered in the Nyingma school as one of Padmasambhava’s main teachers. In Hevajra Tantra, she appears as one of the […]
Vajrayana
Simhamukha, the Lion-faced Dakini
Simhamukha is a wrathful goddess in Vajrayana Buddhism, whose name means “lion-faced.” Her Tibetan name Senge Dongma has the same meaning. She is considered a dakini who has attained the perfect state of Buddha. Although Simhamukha has the potential to manifest all enlightened activities, she is associated primarily with destructive or wrathful forces. The lion-faced […]
Visuals of Compassion: Artist Rima Fujita on her new exhibit, “Karuna”
Rima Fujita is a long-time painter of Buddhist art with a distinctive style that focuses on vivid colours and fairytale-like landscapes and figures. A keen devotee of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, she is holding a solo exhibition titled “Karuna” at Isetan Art Gallery in Shinjuku, Tokyo. We caught up with Rima to learn more […]
A Conversation with Choje Lama Wangchuk Topden on Spiritual Leadership and the COVID-19 Era
Kathmandu has a special place in Choje Lama Wangchuk Topden’s heart. He was born there on 20 November, 1983 and the Nepalese capital has had its fair share of international exposure since the devastating earthquake in April 2015. “There is an interesting contrast between the recovery effort for the earthquake, and the present disaster that […]
Yumka Dechen Gyalmo
Dechen Gyalmo (“The Queen of Great Bliss”) is a dakini and an emanation of the supreme Vajrayana goddess Vajrayogini (Tib. Dorje Naljorma). She is called Yumka (“Mother”) because of her role as a mother of all Buddhas and an incarnation of the Mahayana goddess Prajnaparamita. Yumka Dechen Gyalmo originated from the Longchen Nyingthig Cycle, discovered by […]
Krodhakali
Featured image art: Troma Nagmo. From dharmatreasures.com Krodhakali is a wrathful aspect of Vajrayogini, whose name means “the fierce Kali.” Her other Sanskrit names are Kalika, Krodheshwari, and Krishna Krodhini. Her Tibetan name Troma Nagmo means “the fierce black one.” In Tibet, she is also known as Phagmo Tronang, the “wrathful black Varahi”, which shows her […]
Maitridakini and Indradakini
Maitridakini and Indradakini Maitridakini, Tibet. From instabusters.net Maitridakini (Tib. Maitri Khacho) and Indradakini (Tib. Indra Khacho) are two manifestations of Vajrayogini (Tib. Dorje Naljorma), the supreme goddess in the pantheon of Vajrayana Buddhism. Just like her, they are perceived as an embodiment of complete Buddhahood in female form. Maitridakini is a Tantric goddess, originated from […]
Narodakini
Narodakini, fragment. From exoticindiaart.com Narodakini is a Tantric goddess and a manifestation of Vajrayogini, originated from the tradition of the Indian Buddhist Mahasiddha Naropa (956-1040). She manifested before him and transmitted exoteric teachings and practices. It is also believed that she is his spiritual partner. Another name for the goddess is Narokhechari (Tib. Narokhachoma, “the […]
Vello Vaartnou: A Life Devoted to Dharma
Buddhistdoor Global (BDG): You’ve been living in Australia for some decades now. But you have also spent many years building stupas, 8 of them by yourself, and created original thangkas. How did you balance so many projects with your teaching and practice in Australia?
Vajravarahi and Her Consorts
Vajravari in union with her consorts Vajravarahi (Tib. Dorje Phagmo) is a wrathful aspect of the Tantric goddess Vajrayogini. Vajravarahi can be translated as “diamond sow.” She symbolizes the supreme power that removes all obstacles on the path to enlightenment, as well as the passion, compassion, and wisdom that overcomes ignorance and attachment to the […]