Material: embroidery. cloth. brocade (the image of the God of Wealth)

Size: 155 X 100 cm (approximate size)

Description:

The meaning and origin of the God of Wealth in Tibetan Buddhism

**Meaning**

The God of Wealth (Tibetan: Namthöse, Nantongxie; Sanskrit: Vaiśravaṇa, Bishamontian) is an important guardian deity and god of wealth in Tibetan Buddhism. He is one of the four heavenly kings, guarding the north, and is also the deity in charge of wealth, blessings and the protection of the Dharma. Its main meanings include the following aspects:

1. **The symbol of wealth and blessings**:

- The God of Wealth is regarded as the guardian deity in charge of worldly wealth and blessings. He can bestow material and spiritual resources on practitioners and believers, help eliminate poverty, economic difficulties and various obstacles, and achieve a smooth career and wealth growth. The God of Wealth (the source of wealth) and the Treasure Rat (Nyule, a symbol of wealth) embody the meaning of endless wealth.

2. **Protecting the Dharma**:

- The God of Wealth is the guardian deity of the Buddha. He once vowed to protect the Dharma when Sakyamuni Buddha was alive and to protect practitioners from demons and externalists.

- In Tibetan Buddhism, he is considered to be the incarnation of Ratnasambhava in the South or Amoghasiddhi in the North. He has the merit of protecting the Dharma in the world. He has a close relationship with Vajrapani Bodhisattva and belongs to his subordinates.

3. **Combination of precepts and compassion**:

- The God of Wealth emphasizes the importance of pure precepts. Practitioners need to abide by the precepts, do good deeds, and treat sentient beings with compassion in order to receive his blessings.

- His teachings encourage believers not only to pursue wealth, but also to use wealth to benefit sentient beings, avoid greed, and embody the spirit of Buddhist compassion and wisdom.

4. **Role in culture and practice**:

- The God of Wealth is widely worshipped in Tibetan Buddhism, especially in the Gelugpa sect. He has become an important deity due to the admiration of Master Tsongkhapa. Its image is often seen in temples, retreats and Dharma Halls, and is regarded as the guardian of career success and merit growth.

- Its practice is believed to bring five kinds of growth: longevity, wealth, freedom from illness, joy, and reputation, helping practitioners to achieve success in both worldly and transcendental Dharma.

**Origin**

The origin of the God of Wealth is closely related to the history and legends of Tibetan Buddhism. The following are its main sources:

1. **Buddhist legends and origins**:

- The God of Wealth originated from the Northern God of Wealth (Vaisravana) among the Four Heavenly Kings of Buddhism. He lives in the Crystal Palace in the north of Mount Sumeru, leads the Yakshas and Rakshasas, and guards the north of Jambuvipa.

- According to the scriptures, the God of Wealth vowed to protect the Dharma when Sakyamuni Buddha was alive, and bestowed wealth and resources on sentient beings to help achieve worldly Dharma. Its image and teachings in Tibetan Buddhism evolved from the Vaisravana belief in Indian Buddhism, and incorporated the characteristics of Tantra.

2. **Development in Tibetan Buddhism**:

- The teachings of the God of Wealth were introduced into Tibetan Buddhism by great masters such as Guru Padmasambhava, and have deep roots in the Nyingma and Gelug sects.

- In the Gelug sect, Master Tsongkhapa received the empowerment of the God of Wealth when he was young, and his master Dudjom Rinchen Rinpoche taught the God of Wealth as the primary deity, showing its importance. Legend has it that Master Tsongkhapa was protected by the God of Wealth and obtained wealth to support the construction of temples. web:0⁷web:24

- The image of the God of Wealth was further enriched in Tibetan Buddhism. The Tibetan name is "Nantongxie". He is regarded as the incarnation of the Southern Ratnasambhava or the Northern Amoghasiddhi Buddha. He is surrounded by the Eight Wealth Gods (or Eight Horses Wealth Gods) as subordinates to help save sentient beings.

3. **Relationship with Yellow Jambhala**:

- In Tibetan Buddhism, the God of Wealth and the Yellow Jambhala (Tibetan: Dzambhala) are often regarded as different manifestations of the same deity. Both originated from the Indian god Kubera (Kubera), and were later integrated into Tantric Buddhism. Yellow Jambhala is considered to be one of the incarnations of the God of Wealth, and the mantras and merits of the two are similar.

4. **Historical and cultural influence**:

- The belief in the God of Wealth was prevalent in the Tang Dynasty. Emperor Minghuang of Tang once ordered to worship him because of his protection in quelling rebellions, and painted his image on the military flag, which was called the "Heavenly King Flag".

- In Tibetan Buddhism, the inheritance of the God of Wealth is related to the tradition of hidden treasures. Many biographies of great masters record his miraculous deeds, such as protecting in dreams and appearing on the altar, showing his lofty status in the hearts of practitioners.

**Image and practice**

- **Image**: The God of Wealth has a golden body, one face and two arms, wears a five-Buddha crown, a golden armor, a jeweled necklace, holds a treasure banner (or umbrella) in his right hand, and holds a treasure-spitting rat (Nyule) in his left hand. He sits on a white snow lion in the posture of a bodhisattva, and radiates light like 100,000 rising suns from his back, symbolizing infinite blessings.

- **Practice**: The practice of the God of Wealth requires initiation. Practitioners must keep the precepts pure, practice the four immeasurable minds of compassion, joy, and generosity, and offer incense, flowers, food, and lamps to the Three Treasures in order to correspond with the deity.

Cultural influence

The God of Wealth is a must-have guardian and god of wealth in Tibetan Buddhist temples, especially in Gelugpa temples. His image is often seen in thangkas, sculptures, and ritual instruments, symbolizing the dual power of wealth and the protection of the Dharma.

In Tibetan folk beliefs, the God of Wealth is worshipped at home or in temples to pray for wealth, career success, and abundant disasters, showing its subsequent religious and social influence.

Conclusion

The God of Wealth is a guardian god of wealth in Tibetan Buddhism who combines wealth, blessings, and the protection of the Dharma. It originated from Vaisravana, one of the Four Heavenly Kings, and has become an important deity in Tibetan Buddhism after being passed down by Guru Padmasambhava and Master Tsongkhapa. Its practice emphasizes the purity of precepts and compassionate charity, helping pure practitioners to achieve worldly and transcendental achievements, and at the same time widely influences folk beliefs and religious practices in Tibetan culture.