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    Monday, November 30, 2009

    Eight Close Sons of the Mahayana Sangha - pt. 2


    Vajrapani  (phyag na rdo rje) http://www.wildmind.org/mantras/figures/vajrapani

    Vajrapani (Holder of the Thunderbolt) represents the energy of the enlightened mind, and energy that breaks through delusion. He dances wildly within a halo of flames, which represent the transformative power of Awakening. He holds a vajra (thunderbolt) in his right hand, which emphasizes the power to cut through the darkness of delusion.

    Enlightened beings do not, in reality, sit around all day on lotuses smiling serenely. The Buddha himself was fearlessly active in engaging with the other religious figures and philosophers of his day. His fearless approach to life is perhaps characterized mostly clearly by his encounter with Angulimala, who was an infamous bandit who killed his victims and added a finger from each to the garland he wore around his neck (his name means "Garland of Fingers"). Although warned to stay away from this dangerous figure, the Buddha insisted on going into the forest to confront Angulimala, who converted to Buddhism, became a monk, and eventually became Enlightened.
    http://www.wildmind.org/images/vajrapani3.jpg

     
    Maitreya Skt. 'the loving one'

    Buddha Maitreya is the Buddha of the future, also known as the Laughing Buddha, and is the next enlightened one to follow after the historical Buddha Sakyamuni. He waits in the Tusita heaven for the moment he is to appear on earth as the Buddha of the fifth world cycle. At present he is considered as one of the dhyani-Bodhisattvas, the creators of the universe. In the future he will be, like Sakyamuni, a mortal Buddha who lives on earth for a while in order to teach mankind the doctrine. He is frequently, although not always, shown seated on a throne and sitting in a western manner.


    6.  Sarvanirvarana Vishkab  also known as Sarvanivarana-vish[va]kambin 

    Skt. Guide-to-Liberation-Obstacle-clearer (Tib. Dripa Namsal) is usually invoked to clear the way.  He attends Buddha Amoghasiddhi, the head of the Karma family considered to rule the northern direction.
     



     

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