Material: Original Red Copper. Cast. Guhyasamaja. Original Red Copper.

Size: 20cm

Description:

Guhyasamaja (Sanskrit: Guhyasamaja vajra, Tibetan: གསང་འདུས་, gsang 'dus), also known as "Vajra of Secret Collection," holds a significant position in Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. It is one of the principal deities of the Anuttara Yoga Tantra, particularly in the Gelugpa school, where it is considered one of the three main deities (the other two are Yamantaka and Heruka). It is also the patron deity of Lama Tsongkhapa. The following is a brief description of its influence, status, usage, and origins:

Influence and Status

1. **Core Deity**:

- Guhyasamaja is one of the five main deities practiced in Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, particularly in the Gelugpa and Sakya schools. Its practice is believed to help practitioners realize emptiness and wisdom, leading to ultimate liberation. - Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school, recognized Guhyasamaja as the principal deity and passed down its practice, emphasizing its crucial importance to the practice of Anuttara Yoga. The practice of Guhyasamaja is considered a profound gateway to Buddhahood.

- In Tibetan Buddhism, Guhyasamaja represents the "Secret Assembly," symbolizing the unified wisdom and compassion of all Buddhas. Its teachings, transmitted through the Guhyasamaja Tantra, have had a profound influence.

2. **Doctrinal Influence**:

- The Guhyasamaja Tantra is a representative text of the Anuttara Yoga patriarchal tantras. Divided into eighteen chapters, it covers both the theory and practice of cultivation. Widely circulated in India and Tibet, it has a lesser influence in Han Chinese areas, but it remains one of the core tantras of Tibetan Buddhism, systematically expounding on the methods of Vajrayana practice.

- The practice of Guhyasamaja emphasizes the purification of the three karmas of body, speech, and mind. Through visualization, mantra recitation, and rituals, practitioners can transform worldly afflictions into pure wisdom.

Instructions

1. **Practice Method**:

- **Visualization**: The practice of Guhyasamaja focuses on visualizing the deity (typically blue, multi-armed, holding ritual implements, and practicing with a consort). Practitioners merge themselves with the deity, purifying their body and mind and realizing emptiness and great bliss.

- **Mantra Chanting**: Guhyasamaja has its own unique mantra, such as "Om Ah Hum." Practitioners chant this mantra to purify their mindstream and strengthen their connection with the deity.

- **Ritual**: The practice of Guhyasamaja requires rigorous empowerment and transmission. Practitioners, under the guidance of a guru, perform complex rituals, including mantra offerings and fire offerings, to achieve inner and outer purity.

- **Daily Application**: In monasteries or personal practice, Guhyasamaja practice is often used in retreats, meditation sessions, or special ceremonies. It is particularly common in Gelugpa monasteries, where it is often used for advanced tantric practices.

2. **Practice Goal**:

- The practice of Guhyasamaja is intended to help practitioners transcend duality, realize the great bliss of emptiness, and ultimately attain Buddhahood. Its practice is believed to rapidly accumulate merit and wisdom, and eliminate karmic obstacles.

Origin

1. **Historical Origins**:

- The teachings of Guhyasamaja originated from Indian Tantric Buddhism, developed around the 7th-8th century and introduced to Tibet through the Secret Assembly Tantra. The original Sanskrit version of this text consists of eighteen chapters, and the Tibetan translation is divided into the "Root Tantra" (the first seventeen chapters) and the "Continuation Tantra" (the eighteenth chapter). The Chinese translation, by Shi Hu in the Song Dynasty in 1002, is titled "The Sutra of the Supreme Secret Great Teachings of the Three Vajra Karmas of All Tathagatas," and is included in Volume 18 of the Taisho Tripitaka.

In Tibet, the lineage of Guhyasamaja was primarily introduced by the translator Marpa, and passed down through Kagyu masters such as Milarepa and Gampopa. It was later furthered by Tsongkhapa, becoming one of the core practices of the Gelug school.

2. **Mythology and Symbolism**:

- Guhyasamaja is considered the manifestation of the wisdom of all Buddhas. Its name, "Secret Assembly," symbolizes the gathering of Buddhas within the Dharmadhatu to impart profound esoteric teachings. Its image and teachings emphasize the qualities of "vajra" (indestructibility) and "secret" (profound wisdom), representing the ultimate truth of the Dharma.

- According to legend, Guhyasamaja was transmitted by Shakyamuni Buddha or Vajradhara (Dorje Chang Buddha). As the core deity of the Highest Yoga Tantra, Guhyasamaja aims to guide practitioners to transcend the mundane and attain primordial purity.

Summary

Guhyasamaja is a prominent deity in the Highest Yoga Tantra of Tibetan Buddhism, particularly within the Gelug school. Its practice, through visualization, mantra recitation, and rituals, helps practitioners purify their three karmas and realize emptiness. Its teachings, originating from Indian Tantric Buddhism and passed down through masters such as Marpa and Tsongkhapa, have had a profound influence. Its theoretical foundation is the Secret Assembly Tantra, a classic text of Tibetan Buddhist tantra. The practice of Guhyasamaja requires initiation and guidance from a guru. It is a high-level tantric practice aimed at achieving the dual cultivation of merit and wisdom, and ultimate liberation.