Guru Rinpoche

Guru Rinpoche གུ་རུ་རིན་པོ་ཆེ། (the Precious Guru), also known as Guru Padmasambhava པདྨ་འབྱུང་གནས། (Lotus born), is a seminal figure in Buddhism, instrumental in the establishment of Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet in the 8th Century CE. Praying to Guru Rinpoche is believed to help in the development of inner power, and the removal of bad karma and suffering.

In the Guru Rinpoche thangka Guru Rinpoche sits with his feet in the royal posture. He wears the white undergarments of a bodhisattva, on top of this a red robe, a blue mantra practitioner’s tunic, a red monastic shawl and the maroon cloak of a king. On his head he wears a lotus hat which has: three points symbolising the three kayas; a sun and a moon symbolising skilful means and wisdom; a vajra top to symbolise unshakeable samadhi; and a vulture’s feather to represent the realisation of the highest view.

 In his right hand he holds a five-pronged Vajra. His left-hand rests in a gesture of equanimity, holding a kapala (skull-cup) overflowing with nectar, in this is contained the vase of longevity which is also filled with the nectar of deathless wisdom and topped by a wish-fulfilling tree. Cradled in his left arm is a three-pointed trident- it’s three points symbolise essence, nature and compassionate energy. Below this are three severed heads symbolising the dharmakaya (body of essence), sambhogakaya (body of enjoyment) and nirmanakaya (body of transformation).

Guru Rinpoche Thangka | TheThangka.com

Guru Rinpoche is believed to have appeared in fully enlightened form from a blossoming lotus aged 8 years old. Upon appearance he is said to have announced that he had incarnated to “accomplish the actions of the Buddhas of the past, present and future’.

Vajrayana, the ritualistic path of Buddhism disappeared in India between the 8th and 13th centuries, however, it was kept alive in Tibet by Guru Rinpoche, and continues to flourish. For this reason, Guru Rinpoche is also known as the ‘Second Buddha’ and is revered by followers of Vajrayana Buddhism as both Amitabha (he who is infinite) and Avalokiteshvara (the embodiment of all buddhas).

The Guru Rinpoche mantra is: oṃ āḥ hūṃ vajra guru padma siddhi hūṃ. Listen to the mantra:

Source: YouTube

Listen to “Dusum Sangya”, a buddhist prayer to Guru Rinpoche, by Ani Choying Drolma:

Source: YouTube

See more about Padmasambhava

Share:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on whatsapp
WhatsApp
Share on email
Email

Related Posts

Manjushri
Dharma

Bodhisattva Manjushri

Manjushri, meaning ‘beautiful glory’, is a meditational deity of Vajrayana/Tibetan Buddhism, considered a fully enlightened buddha. He is typically classified as a wisdom deity, associated with insight, who promotes development of wisdom, knowledge, language, and memory skills.

Read More »
Dharma

Om Ah Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhi – Meaning and Benefits of the Manjushri Mantra

Manjushri in Buddhism is the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Manjushri’s name means ‘gentle glory’ or ‘sweet glory’ in Sanskrit. He is recognized as the ‘gentle-toned or sweet-voiced one’ and the ‘Lord of Speech, thus also known as Manjughosha and Vagishvara, respectively. His mantra comprised of the syllables Om Ah Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhi.

Read More »
Vajrasattva
Dharma

Vajrasattva

Vajrasattva, is the main deity employed for purification by practitioners of all levels of tantra. Vajrasattva also goes by Dorje Sempa རྡོ་རྗེ་སེམས་དཔའ་, meaning “diamond being”. Vajrasattva meditation is the primary cleansing practice recommended by Vajrayana Buddhism. It is also used to purify any broken vows made by a disciple to their tantric master. Going beyond personal practice, the Vajrasattva mantra is believed to purify karma, bring peace, and instigate enlightened activity on a wider scale.

Read More »
green tara
Dharma

Green Tara

Green Tara is regarded as the mother of all Bodhisattvas, a lover of all sentient beings. She is associated with enlightened activity, helping people pass beyond earthly existence. Green Tara grants refuge from all things which may obstruct, or cause trouble. She also embodies many qualities of the ‘feminine’, known as the mother of mercy and compassion, giving relief from bad karma.

Read More »
White Tara
Dharma

White Tara

White Tara (Sitatārā) is a Bodhisattva of compassion and action, associated with practices designed to lengthen one’s lifespan and to overcome life-threatening challenges. She is worshiped by practitioners of Vajrayana Buddhism to develop the qualities of compassion (karuṇā), loving-kindness (mettā) and emptiness (shunyata).

Read More »
Chenrenzig
Dharma

Bodhisattva Chenrezig / Avalokitesvara

Chenrezig is a form of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, also known as 4 armed 6 Syllable Avalokitesvara, he embody the compassion of all Buddhas. Chenrezig is the white Buddha form which represents the enlightened mind’s loving kindness and compassion. His name literally means “One who looks with unwavering eye”.

Read More »

Join our reddit community.