Tara (Copy)

Tara (Copy)

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About The Thangka

Introduction

The Dudjom Tersar Refuge Tree thangka, painted by Chewang Dorje in 2003, portrays the Nyingma Refuge Tree or Merit Field as visualized in the Dudjom Tersar Preliminary Practices (ngondro). The Dudjom Tersar, or “New Treasures of Dudjom,” were revealed by Dudjom Lingpa and his successor, Dudjom Rinpoche, stemming from the teachings of Padmasambhava from the ninth century, which were concealed as treasures (terma) to be revealed later. The lineage, unbroken and direct, preserves its blessings and attainments.

Historical Background

Origin:
This thangka represents the visualization used in the ‘Preliminary Practices’ (ngondro) of the Dudjom Tersar tradition.

Revelation:
The teachings were revealed by Dudjom Lingpa (1835-1904) and his subsequent incarnation, Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdral Yeshe Dorje (1904-1987).

Foundation:
Based on teachings originally composed by Padmasambhava in the ninth century and concealed as treasures (terma) to be revealed later when the Dharma practice became degenerate.

Purpose:
The Refuge Tree is visualized during the ngondro practices to establish a connection with the lineage and receive blessings.

Lineage:
Emphasizes an unbroken, direct transmission lineage from Padmasambhava, ensuring the teachings’ authenticity and potency.

1. Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava)

Position:
Top of the Refuge Tree.

Depiction:
Seated on a lotus and lion throne, wearing a lotus-hat and three robes, representing the mastery of the three Buddhist yanas (Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana).

Symbolism:
Padmasambhava’s central position signifies his importance in the Dudjom Tersar tradition.

2. Lineage Gurus

Sequence:
Ten cloud-borne gurus descending from Samantabhadra to Dudjom Rinpoche.

Depictions:

  • Samantabhadra and Samantabhadri: Primordial Buddha couple representing dharmakaya.
  • Vajrasattva: Represents sambhogakaya.
  • Garab Dorje: Represents nirmanakaya.
  • Shri Simha: Important teacher in the lineage.
  • Vimalamitra: Renowned Indian scholar and translator.
  • Padmakara (Padmasambhava): Central figure in Nyingma tradition.
  • Yeshe Tsogyal: Main consort and disciple of Padmasambhava.
  • Dudjom Lingpa: Revealer of the ‘New Treasures’.
  • Gyurme Ngedon Wongpo: Main disciple of Dudjom Lingpa.
  • Dudjom Rinpoche: Successor of Dudjom Lingpa and teacher of the Dudjom Tersar lineage.

3. Wrathful Yidam Deities (Eight Accomplishing Ones)

Depiction:
Extremely fierce, with three heads, four legs, and six arms, standing in alidha posture with consorts.

Attributes:
Each deity holds specific items and wears the ‘ten attires of the charnel grounds’.

Deities:

  • Yamantaka (gshin rje gshed): Destroyer of Death. Dark blue with white, blue, and red faces.
    • Consort: Vetali (Rolangma).
    • Attributes: Club, sword, axe, blood-filled skull-cup, threatening gesture, spear.
    • Representation: Wrathful counterpart of Manjushri, associated with Vairocana.
  • Hayagriva (rta mgrin): Horse-neck. Red with white, red, and blue faces, horse’s head above crown.
    • Consort: Padma Zilnon.
    • Attributes: Vajra, khatvanga, serpent-noose, bell, threatening gesture, spear.
    • Representation: Wrathful counterpart of Avalokiteshvara, associated with Amitabha.
  • Shri Heruka (yang dag he-ru-ka): Glorious Heruka. Dark blue with white, blue, and red faces.
    • Consort: Khrodishvari.
    • Attributes: Vajra, khatvanga-trident, drum, upturned bell, blood-filled skull-cup, noose.
    • Representation: Aspect of enlightened Buddha-mind, associated with Akshobhya.
  • Vajramrita (bdud rtsi yon tan): Nectar of Indestructible Reality. Dark blue with white, blue, and red faces.
    • Consort: Vajra.
    • Attributes: Vajra, nectar-filled skull-cup.
    • Representation: Aspect of enlightened Buddha-qualities, associated with Ratnasambhava.
  • Vajrakila (rdo rje phur ba): Dagger of Indestructible Reality. Dark blue with white, blue, and red faces.
    • Consort: Triptichakra.
    • Attributes: Phurba (ritual dagger), nine-pointed vajra, five-pointed vajra, flame, khatvanga.
    • Representation: Aspect of enlightened Buddha-activities, associated with Amoghasiddhi.
  • Matarah (ma mo rbod gtongs): Liberating Sorcery of Mamo. Dark blue with white, red, and blue faces.
    • Consort: Mukha.
    • Attributes: Vajra, garuda, serpent-noose, blood-filled skull-cup, human skin fly-whisk, skull amulet.
    • Representation: Retainer of dakinis for enlightened activity.
  • Lokastotrapuja (jig rten mchos bstod): Offering and Praise to Worldly Deities. Dark blue with white, blue, and red faces.
    • Consort: Khamsum Chidul.
    • Attributes: Vajra, blood-filled skull-cup, severed heads of gods and naga-rajas.
    • Representation: Protector of teachings from negative forces.
  • Vajramantrabhiru (dmod-pa drag-snags): Mantras for the Power Activity of Subjugation. Black with white, black, and red faces.
    • Consort: Jung-nga Dagmo.
    • Attributes: Vajra, blood-filled skull-cup, torn-out hearts of gods and naga-rajas.
    • Representation: Forceful liberation of hostile forces.

3. Wrathful Yidam Deities (Eight Accomplishing Ones)

Depiction:
Extremely fierce, with three heads, four legs, and six arms, standing in alidha posture with consorts.

Attributes:
Each deity holds specific items and wears the ‘ten attires of the charnel grounds’.

Deities:

  • Yamantaka (gshin rje gshed): Destroyer of Death. Dark blue with white, blue, and red faces.
    • Consort: Vetali (Rolangma).
    • Attributes: Club, sword, axe, blood-filled skull-cup, threatening gesture, spear.
    • Representation: Wrathful counterpart of Manjushri, associated with Vairocana.
  • Hayagriva (rta mgrin): Horse-neck. Red with white, red, and blue faces, horse’s head above crown.
    • Consort: Padma Zilnon.
    • Attributes: Vajra, khatvanga, serpent-noose, bell, threatening gesture, spear.
    • Representation: Wrathful counterpart of Avalokiteshvara, associated with Amitabha.
  • Shri Heruka (yang dag he-ru-ka): Glorious Heruka. Dark blue with white, blue, and red faces.
    • Consort: Khrodishvari.
    • Attributes: Vajra, khatvanga-trident, drum, upturned bell, blood-filled skull-cup, noose.
    • Representation: Aspect of enlightened Buddha-mind, associated with Akshobhya.
  • Vajramrita (bdud rtsi yon tan): Nectar of Indestructible Reality. Dark blue with white, blue, and red faces.
    • Consort: Vajra.
    • Attributes: Vajra, nectar-filled skull-cup.
    • Representation: Aspect of enlightened Buddha-qualities, associated with Ratnasambhava.
  • Vajrakila (rdo rje phur ba): Dagger of Indestructible Reality. Dark blue with white, blue, and red faces.
    • Consort: Triptichakra.
    • Attributes: Phurba (ritual dagger), nine-pointed vajra, five-pointed vajra, flame, khatvanga.
    • Representation: Aspect of enlightened Buddha-activities, associated with Amoghasiddhi.
  • Matarah (ma mo rbod gtongs): Liberating Sorcery of Mamo. Dark blue with white, red, and blue faces.
    • Consort: Mukha.
    • Attributes: Vajra, garuda, serpent-noose, blood-filled skull-cup, human skin fly-whisk, skull amulet.
    • Representation: Retainer of dakinis for enlightened activity.
  • Lokastotrapuja (jig rten mchos bstod): Offering and Praise to Worldly Deities. Dark blue with white, blue, and red faces.
    • Consort: Khamsum Chidul.
    • Attributes: Vajra, blood-filled skull-cup, severed heads of gods and naga-rajas.
    • Representation: Protector of teachings from negative forces.
  • Vajramantrabhiru (dmod-pa drag-snags): Mantras for the Power Activity of Subjugation. Black with white, black, and red faces.
    • Consort: Jung-nga Dagmo.
    • Attributes: Vajra, blood-filled skull-cup, torn-out hearts of gods and naga-rajas.
    • Representation: Forceful liberation of hostile forces.

4. Buddha and Bodhisattva Assemblies

Left Branch:
Shakyamuni Buddha with twenty-four other Buddhas, representing the thousand Buddhas of our era.

Standing Figure Below:
Vidyadhara Heruka embracing his consort.

5. Right Branch Bodhisattvas

Central Figure:
Avalokiteshvara.

Surrounding Bodhisattvas:

  • Sarvanivaranaviskambhin: Dispeller of defilements.
  • Maitreya: Lord of loving-kindness.
  • Manjughosha: Gentle and melodious-voiced one.
  • Kshitigarbha: Essence of earth.
  • Samantabhadra: All-good.
  • Akashagarbha: Essence of space.
  • Vajrapani: Holder of the vajra.

6. Sixteen Arhats

Assembly:
Sixteen Noble Elders with one attendant, Upasaka Dharmatala.

Arhats:

  • Angaja
  • Ajita
  • Vanavasin
  • Kalika
  • Vajriputra
  • Bhadra
  • Kanakavatsa
  • Kanakabharadvaja
  • Bakula
  • Rahula
  • Cudapanthaka
  • Pindolabharadvaja
  • Mahapanthaka
  • Nagasena
  • Gopaka
  • Abheda

7. Dharmapalas (Protector Deities)

Assembly:
Principal male and female protector deities of the Nyingma tradition, known as ‘The Assembly of Haughty or Arrogant Deities that are Oath-bound to the Three Inner Tantras’.

Deities:

  • Tashi Tseringma: Auspicious Lady of Long-life, riding a white lion.
  • Zhing-kyong Dudgon Nagpo: Black Demon Field-protector, riding a horse.
  • Vaishravana (Namthosay): Lord of wealth, riding a white lion.
  • Nodjin Shenpa Marnag: Yaksha Dark-red Butcher, riding a flying garuda.
  • Ekajati: Single Hair-lock, with a single eye, tooth, and breast.
  • Gonpo Chak-zhi-pa: Four-armed Mahakala, seated with consort.
  • Gonpo Legden: Excellent Mahakala, standing with consort.
  • Palgon Maning Nagpo: Glorious Black Eunoch, standing with spear and heart.
  • Lha Chenpo (Mahadeva): Great God Shiva, naked and red with erect penis.
  • Khyabjug Chenpo Rahula: Great Planetary and Eclipse Deity, with nine heads and naga-serpent lower body.
  • Damchen Dorje Legpa (Vajrasadhu): Indestructible Excellence, riding a white lion.
  • Zhing-kyong Durtro Mamo: Field-protector and Mistress of the Charnel Grounds, holding a magic mirror.
  • Dorje Yudronma: Indestructible Turquoise Lamp, peaceful and crystal-white.

Key Quotes

Dudjom Rinpoche on Ngondro:
“This is a condensed version of the preliminary practices that clearly elucidates their essential meaning, and is intended for those who do not fully understand or are unable to perform the extensive preliminary practices.”

Lama Tharchin Rinpoche on the Dudjom Tersar Lineage:
“The Dudjom Tersar lineage is fresh, vivid and direct, with no loss of meaning, words or blessing. These teachings, coming directly from Guru Rinpoche to Dudjom Rinpoche, and then to us, are a direct short lineage. Therefore, because this lineage is uncontaminated and knows no degeneration by broken samayas, the blessing and attainments are immediate.”

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