Material: Embroidery. Cloth. Brocade (Easy-knotted Ganesha)

Size: 155 x 100 cm (approximate size)

Description:

Easy-knotted Ganesha (Tibetan: Tshug-tor-rnam-par-gyal-ma, Sanskrit: Uṣṇīṣavijayā) is an important Yidam in Tibetan Buddhism, widely revered for her qualities of prolonging life, purifying karma and bringing victory. The following is an overview of the meaning and origin of Easy-knotted Ganesha in Tibetan Buddhism:

**Meaning**

1. **Prolonging life and health**:

- Easy-knotted Ganesha is regarded as the "Long-lived Ganesha", and her practice is mainly related to prolonging life, eliminating diseases and overcoming the obstacles of life and death. Her name "Uṣṇīṣavijayā" means "the victorious one with a topknot", which symbolizes victory over death and impermanence.

- Practitioners pray for health, longevity and the removal of obstacles in life by practicing the rituals of Asura or chanting her mantra.

2. **Purification of Karma**:

- Asura is believed to have a powerful purification ability, which can help practitioners eliminate bad karma, sins and negative influences, thereby creating smooth conditions for practice.

- Her practice is often combined with the method of repentance to help practitioners achieve purity and liberation in samsara.

3. **Victory and Blessing**:

- As the "Victory Buddha Mother", Asura symbolizes the ability to overcome internal and external obstacles, especially to overcome ignorance, greed, hatred and other troubles on the path of practice.

- Her image and blessing power are believed to give practitioners spiritual strength and success.

4. **One of the Three Longevity Buddhas**:

- In Tibetan Buddhism, Asura, White Tara and Vijaya are collectively known as the "Three Longevity Deities", representing the blessing of longevity, health and merit.

- Her practice is often combined with other longevity deities, especially in the Nyingma and Gelug schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

**Origin**

1. **Roots in Indian Buddhism**:

- The image and practice of Asuka-giri originated from the late Mahayana and Tantric traditions of India, especially in the Uṣṇīṣavijayā-dhāraṇī-sūtra. She is described as emerging from the topknot (uṣṇīṣa) of Shakyamuni Buddha, symbolizing the extension of Buddha's wisdom.

- This sutra emphasizes the merits of Asuka-giri's mantras for purifying karma and prolonging life, which became the basis for later Tantric practice.

2. **Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism**:

- With the introduction of Tantric Buddhism into Tibet in the 8th century, the practice of Asuka was introduced by Padmasambhava and others, and developed in the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism (Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, Gelug).

- In Tibetan Buddhism, the practice of Asuka is incorporated into the longevity method and the ritual of protecting the Dharma, and is widely practiced especially when life needs to be extended or major obstacles need to be overcome.

3. **Association with the Buddha's Crown**:

- Asuka's "crown" symbolizes the wisdom and enlightenment of the Buddha, and her image is closely related to the sacredness of the Buddha's crown. In Tantric Buddhism, the crown is regarded as the crystallization of the Buddha's wisdom, so Asuka is regarded as the manifestation of this wisdom.

- Her practice rituals are often combined with mantras, visualizations and dharanis, emphasizing the correspondence with her wisdom through mantras and visualizations.

**Symbolism and Image**

- **Appearance**:

- Asukaja is usually depicted as a white or golden female deity with three faces and eight arms, symbolizing her multifaceted power and wisdom.

- Her central face is usually white (representing purification), her right face is yellow (representing gain), and her left face is blue (representing surrender). She has a knot on her head, symbolizing the topknot of the Buddha.

- Her eight arms hold different instruments, such as vajra, arrows, ropes, and vases, symbolizing various blessings and abilities. Her main mudra is the "Giving Mudra" or "Fearlessness Mudra", representing compassion and protection.

- She is often seated on a lotus seat, and may be accompanied by other deities or guardians.

- **Mantra**:

- The famous mantra of Asukaja is the "Uṣṇīṣavijayā-dhāraṇī", which is often chanted to pray for longevity, purification of karma, and protection. For example:

```

Om Bulu Bulu Hum Ta Hum Om Amitabha Ayu Ta Hum

```

(The exact version of the mantra may vary by sect)

- **Mandalas and Rituals**:

- Ajita's mantra is often used in longevity and purification rituals, and practitioners gain blessings by visualizing her image and mantra.

- Her rituals include offerings, chanting, and visualization, especially in longevity ceremonies in Tibetan Buddhism.

**Culture and Practice**

- **Practice Occasions**:

- Ajita's practice is often performed in longevity initiations (Tsewang) or ceremonies, especially for the sick, the elderly, or those facing major obstacles.

- In Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, her thangkas or statues are often worshipped for meditation and prayer.

- **Sectarian characteristics**:

- In the Nyingma school, the practice of One-Knotted Ganesha is often combined with the longevity method, emphasizing purification and longevity.

- In the Gelug school, her mantra is widely recited, especially in rituals related to the Vajra.

- The Sakya and Kagyu schools also incorporate One-Knotted Ganesha into tantric practice, especially in rituals related to the Five Buddhas or longevity deities.

**Summary**

One-Knotted Ganesha is a symbol of longevity, purification and victory in Tibetan Buddhism. It originated from the "Buddha Crown Vajra Dharani Sutra" of Indian Tantric Buddhism and was deepened into an important deity practice in Tibet. Her image and mantra are used to prolong life, purify karma and overcome obstacles, especially playing a key role in the longevity method. Through visualization and rituals, practitioners seek to correspond with the wisdom and blessings of One-Knotted Ganesha to achieve the goals of health, merit and liberation.