Materials: Bronze, Consecrated, Gilded (Goddess of Light)

Size: 20 cm

Description:

Marīcī, also known as Özer Chenma (Goddess of Light) in Tibetan Buddhism, is a bodhisattva or goddess associated with light, the sun, invisible protection, and the removal of disasters. Originating from Indian Buddhist traditions, she was incorporated into the Vajrayana system of Tibetan Buddhism, becoming a key protector deity. The following describes her influence and status in Tibetan Buddhism, as well as the origins of her usage.

Influence and Status in Tibetan Buddhism

Marīcī is considered a powerful protector deity in Tibetan Buddhism, particularly in traditions such as the Nyingma school. She is often depicted with multiple arms and three faces (including a peaceful, pig, and wrathful face), riding a golden pig or a chariot pulled by seven to nine pigs. She holds symbols such as a lotus, a vajra, a bow and arrow, and a rope, representing purity, indestructible power, precision, and healing. She holds a high position as one of the twelve Devas in Buddhism and is sometimes considered an incarnation of Green Tara, specifically the 21st of the twenty-one Taras in the Nyingma tradition. This reflects her exalted role in upholding the Dharma and protecting practitioners.

In terms of influence, Marichi is revered as an "invisible protector" and "disaster remover," enabling believers to become invisible and escape the sight of enemies or disasters in times of danger, including natural disasters (such as fire, flood, and disease), interference from evil spirits, and the threat of war. She symbolizes dawn and light, transforming ignorance into wisdom and helping practitioners overcome obstacles in tantric practice. Her worship spread from India to Tibet, influencing Tibetan Buddhist rituals and art, such as thangka painting and monastery offerings. In Vajrayana, her symbolism associated with light is particularly important in the Dzogchen tradition, supporting thogal (direct light practice), which emphasizes the metaphor of the sun and its rays to guide awakening. Her influence also extended to East Asian Buddhism, such as the warrior classes of China and Japan, who revered her as a guardian deity in battle, aiding victory and concealing their tracks.

Overall, Marichi's role in Tibetan Buddhism extends beyond protection to encompass spiritual transformation and tantric practice. She is highly valued by warriors, travelers, and those facing disaster, and has profoundly influenced the art, rituals, and folk beliefs of Tibetan culture.

Origin of Usage: The usage of Marichi primarily originates from Indian tantric traditions, later adapted and developed within Tibetan Buddhism. Her practice can be traced back to Mahayana Buddhist tantric texts, such as the Kriya Tantra category in the Tibetan Kangyur, which includes three key texts: The Incantation of Mārīcī, The Sovereign Practices Extracted from the Tantra of Māyāmārīcī, and The Seven Hundred Practices of Mārīcī from the Tantras. These texts describe her visualizations, devotional rituals, and mantra recitations, originating from Indian Buddhist sun goddess cults (such as those similar to the Vedic goddesses Uṣas or Durga) and incorporating elements from Iranian and non-Indo-European sun goddesses, emphasizing her invisibility and radiant powers.

Early legends reinforce the origins of these practices. For example, there's the story of Li Jue, a figure from the late Tang Dynasty, who escaped pursuers by being instructed by a deity to chant the Marichi mantra 700 times daily. Emperor Gaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty, after praying to her statue, became invisible and escaped the Jin army. The Marichi Bodhisattva Dharani Sutra, recorded during Zheng He's voyages to the West during the Ming Dynasty, attributes the success of his voyage to her protection. These legends led to the systematization of her mantras and rituals within Tibetan Buddhism, including:

- **Mantra Recitation**: Core mantras such as "OM MARI ZEYE MUM SVAHA" (from the Dzogchen tradition, the seed sound MUM) or "Om Rāṃ Rāgilillāghaṃ avatūṭe mahāmāyī svāhā) are used to summon invisible protection and transform obstacles. Originating in Indian tantras, it aims to enhance inner strength through sound vibrations. - **Visualizations and Mudras**: Meditate on her image at dawn to transform ignorance; mudras such as the invisibility mudra (fist placed on chest) and the blessing mudra (hands extended downward) are derived from Vajrayana yogic practices.

- **Amulets and Thangkas**: Use her image to create amulets (thog cha) or create thangkas for display in monasteries. Charging methods for amulets, such as dawn calls, bell resonation, moonlight cleansing, or incense, are derived from Tibetan ritual traditions to ward off disasters and enhance spiritual resilience.

- **Ritual Offerings**: Derived from tantric texts, visualizations of her emanations and offerings are performed to pray for victory, wealth, or the removal of disasters.

These practices, originating from tantric texts originating in India and adapted in Tibet to become standard Tibetan Buddhist practices, aim to protect the Dharma and help practitioners overcome worldly obstacles.

Marichi (Scheduled for release)