Material: Cloth. Printing. Scroll. (Vajrasattva)

Size: Approx. 122 x 83 cm

Description:

Vajrasattva (Tibetan: Dorje Sempa, Sanskrit: Vajrasattva) plays an important role in Tibetan Buddhism and is a symbol of purification of karma, wisdom and compassion. The following is a brief description of the meaning and origin of Vajrasattva:

### **Meaning**

1. **The deity for purifying karma**: Vajrasattva is regarded as the main deity for purifying karma, and its practice (especially the Vajrasattva Hundred-Syllable Mantra) is widely used to eliminate the sins, troubles and obstacles of practitioners and help restore the pure mind. Tibetan Buddhism believes that by practicing Vajrasattva devoutly, the negative karma of body, speech and mind can be purified.

2. **Symbol of Vajrayana**: Vajrasattva represents the core spirit of Vajrayana (Tantra), which is to guide sentient beings from delusion to enlightenment by combining wisdom (vajra) and compassion (sattva). He symbolizes pure and unchanging primordial wisdom.

3. **Integration of the Five Buddhas**: Vajrasattva is often regarded as the collection of the Five Buddhas (Vairocana Buddha, etc.), representing the integration of the five wisdoms, especially related to "real wisdom", embodying the pure and untainted Buddha nature.

4. **The basis of practice**: In Tibetan Buddhism, the practice of Vajrasattva is the foundation (preliminary practice) of many Tantric practices, because purifying karma is a necessary condition for entering higher practices (such as the generation stage and completion stage).

### **Origin**

1. **Origin of doctrine**: The image and teachings of Vajrasattva are derived from Tantric scriptures, especially the Mahavairocana Sutra and the Vajrasattva Sutra. He is one of the important deities in Tantric Buddhism and is closely related to the Vajrayana tradition.

2. **Legend and tradition**: In Tibetan Buddhist legends, Vajrasattva is the incarnation of Amitabha or Vajradhara (the primordial Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism), responsible for spreading the teachings of Tantric Buddhism. According to legend, Vajrasattva passed on the tantric teachings to practitioners in the world, and was later brought to Tibet by patriarchs such as Padmasambhava.

3. **Image and symbol**: Vajrasattva is usually depicted as a white body, symbolizing purity, holding a vajra in his right hand (representing wisdom) and a vajra bell in his left hand (representing compassion), often in an image of single or with a consort (Buddha mother). His image embodies the perfect combination of wisdom and compassion.

### **Practice method**

- **Hundred-syllable mantra**: Vajrasattva's hundred-syllable mantra is one of the most famous mantras in Tibetan Buddhism, and is said to be effective in purifying karma. During the practice, the practitioner visualizes Vajrasattva emitting light and blessing to purify his own sins.

- **Preliminary practice**: In the Nyingma tradition and other traditions, Vajrasattva practice is an important part of the "preliminary practice" (Ngondro), and the practitioner needs to recite the mantra repeatedly and visualize to purify the mind.

### **Cultural influence**

Vajrasattva is not only revered in Tibetan Buddhism, but also appears in different forms in other Tantric traditions (such as the Shingon sect of Japan). His practice and image are deeply rooted in Tibetan culture and are often used in thangkas, sculptures and temple offerings.

In short, Vajrasattva is a symbol of purification and enlightenment in Tibetan Buddhism, and his practice provides practitioners with an important path to purity and enlightenment.

Vajrasattva (printed thangka in cloth frame)