Mahakala ("The Great Black"; Skt. महाकाल , Tib. ནག་པོ་ ཆེན་ པོ - Nagpo Chenpo , Jap. 大 黒 天 - Daikoku ; Mong. Mahgal ) - in Vajrayana Buddhism, the guard and protector of the teachings of the Buddha ( dharmapala ). In some schools of Tibetan Buddhism, it is also considered as a yidama [1] .
Most often, Mahakala is depicted in dark blue or black, he has a menacing look. However, other manifestations of Mahakala are also known (White Mahakala, Bernakchen - Black Cloak [2] ), there are 72 basic forms of this deity. In most of its manifestations, the Mahakala is portrayed in an angry form. He has jewelry made of snakes and bones, a skirt made of tiger skin, his belly stands forward. Often, Mahakalu is also depicted surrounded by various wild animals and birds. These attributes symbolize his determination to destroy all obstacles to enlightenment. Mahakala's tantric jewelry also includes a garland of human heads and a crown with five skulls, which symbolize the transformation of five flares into five primordial wisdom. Mahakala refers to enlightened beings.
Content
- 1 Origin and history of the deity
- 2 Mahakala in Tibetan beliefs
- 3 Legitimation of the creation of the Qing Empire
- 4 notes
- 5 See also
- 6 Literature
- 7 References
Origin and History of the Deity
According to one cult version, this is a demon who has taken the Tertiary path and defended Buddhist teachings. According to scientists, Mahakala became part of the Buddhist pantheon of Vajrayana from a number of deities of Tantric Indian yoga as a manifestation of Shiva - Bhairava . Mahakala in Sanskrit means "Great time", and originally in Hinduism, he was one of the two hypostases of the god Shiva. According to the Hindu cosmogony, Time (Kala) is recognized as a special energy, or form of Shiva, by which, or in which, the universe is created, and which, turning into a formidable flame, destroys it during the end of the world. But when the “fire of Time” (kala-agni) is extinguished, Time “devours itself” and turns into Mahakala - the absolute “Time over Time”, Eternity. This coincides with the beginning of the period of non-existence of the universe (Pralaya). The concept of Mahakala possibly dates back to the Atharva Veda (middle of the first millennium BC).
Subsequently, the mythologized figure of Mahakala penetrated into northern Buddhism, becoming one of the angry deity defenders. Mahakala became especially popular among the followers of the Tibetan Sakya Order, having acquired many forms there, however, it became widespread among other Tibetan religious orders. His position in the Tibetan pantheon was strengthened during the second spread of Buddhism in Tibet (the last quarter of the X century), and his popularity gradually continued to grow because his status outgrew the level of protector, reaching the rank of an enlightened being. His popularity in Tibet was also facilitated by the fact that Mahakala, having fallen from Indian mythology into the tribal spiritual atmosphere of Tibet, was endowed with the special role of master of the home. That is why he became one of the most widely revered defenders in the Tibetan pantheon. The Mahakala cult with Vajrayana Buddhism entered China, and was spread in some of its provinces even before the conquest by the Mongols. For example, in the area of the south-Sung (1127–1279) capital of Hangzhou, where both Chinese and Indo-Himalayan cult practices were widespread, many images of Mahakala were found. After the conquest of China by the Mongols, Mahakala was the personal patron deity of the emperor Khubilai Khan (1215-1294).
According to Buddhists, Mahakala is able to be the embodiment of a number of bodhisattvas: Vajrapani (2-handed form), Manjushri (4-handed form) or Avalokiteshvara (6-handed form) [3]
Mahakala in Tibetan beliefs
Ordinary Tibetans panicky fear of Mahakalu, recognizing him as a demon. For most of the year, with the exception of special days, when the rituals dedicated to him are held, the image of Mahakala is closed in a special chapel.
Legitimation of the Creation of the Qing Empire
In 1635, having entered into an alliance with the Mongols and preparing for the foundation of Qing, Abahai laid the foundation of the temple of Mahakala, i.e. having established himself as a religious ally of the Mongols - followers of Tibetan Buddhism [4] [5] .
Notes
- ↑ Dharmaling Buddhist Center (Neopr (Unavailable link) . Date of treatment October 4, 2011. Archived November 6, 2011.
- ↑ About Mahakal and His Tantra
- ↑ Mahakala Bernagchen (defender) (inaccessible link) . Date of treatment June 6, 2014. Archived on June 6, 2014.
- ↑ Dawa Norbu. Part I. Patterns of the Sino-Tibetan past and current political realities // China's Tibet Policy . - 2. - Routledge, 2012 .-- S. 71. - 470 p. - ISBN 1136797939 , 9781136797934.
- ↑ Marsha Smith Weidner, Patricia Ann Berger, Helen Foresman. The Mongol Renaissance and the rise of Manchu // Latter Days of the Law: Images of Chinese Buddhism, 850 - 1850 / Marsha Smith Weidner, Patricia Ann Berger. - University of Hawaii Press, 1994 .-- S. 111. - 481 p. - ISBN 0824816625 , 9780824816629.
See also
- Bhairava
- Mysterious Tibet is a German documentary of 1943, many episodes of which are dedicated to Mahakala.
Literature
- Mahakala // Hinduism. Jainism. Sikhism: Dictionary. / Ed. M.F. Albedil , A.M. Dubyansky . - M .: Republic , 1996.S. 269-270
- William Stablein: Healing Image: The Great Black One . Snow Lion Graphics, 1993, ISBN 0-943389-06-2
- René de Nebesky-Wojkowitz : Oracles and Demons of Tibet: The Cult and Iconography of the Tibetan Protective Deities . Paljor Publications, India 2002, ISBN 81-86230-12-2
- Susa Nientiedt: Mahakala, der große Schwarze, Shri Devi und Ekajata - Ursprung, Ausstrahlungen und Bedeutung . verrückter yogi verlag, Bochum 2007, ISBN 978-3-940197-09-2