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What is Dorje Chang?

What is Dorje Chang?

VAJRADHARA (Tib., Rdo rje chang [Dorje chang]; Mongolian, Ochirdana) is, in the last stages of Indian Tantric Buddhism and in the continuing Tibetan traditions, the distinct embodiment of the highest state of being, the primordial Ādibuddha, and the revealer of all the Tantras.

What is a vajradhara?

The Buddha Vajradhara is a divine manifestation of the totality of Buddhist teachings and is credited with being the source of the Buddhist tantric texts. Here, he holds a vajra and a bell that symbolizes energy (male) and emptiness (female).

Who is Yamantaka?

Yamantaka, Destroyer of the God of Death early 18th century Yamantaka is a violent aspect of the Bodhisattva Manjushri, who assumes this form to vanquish Yama, the god of death. By defeating Yama, the cycle of rebirths (samsara) that prevents enlightenment is broken.

How is dorje used?

The dril-bu (bell) and dorje (scepter) are indispensable liturgical instruments used during Tibetan Buddhist ritual recitation. They are usually regarded as one object, are matched and used together. The prongs recall the thunderbolt scepter of Indra, a Hindu warrior god who governs rain, clouds, and lightning.

How do you use Tibetan dorje?

In Buddhist ceremonies in Tibet, the bell and the dorje are always used together. The dorje can be used to strike the bell. When holding the dorje and bell together, the dorje is held in the right hand, and the bell is in the left hand.

What is the sacred form of Dorje Chang?

The sacred form in which Dorje Chang manifested to Tilopa represents the three aspects or “bodies” of a fully enlightened Buddha: the dharmakaya, or dharma body, the sambhogakaya, or experience body, and the nirmanakaya, or emanation body. Each of the details of Dorje Chang’s form reveals an aspect of enlightenment.

Which is Karmapa teaches the Vajradhara lineage prayer?

Teachings on the Vajradhara Lineage Prayer. The Gyalwang Karmapa has been kind enough to teach on the famous Kagyu prayer known as the Vajradhara Lineage Prayer which discusses the lineage from Vajradhara (Dorje Chang) and the essence of the Kagyu teachings.

Who is Vajradhara and why is he important to Buddhism?

Vajradhara represents the essence of the historical Buddha’s realization of enlightenment. Historically, Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment under the bodhi tree in Bodhgaya over 2500 years ago and then manifested as the Buddha. According to Buddhist cosmology, he was the Fourth Historic Buddha of this fortunate eon.

Which is the body of truth of Siddhartha Vajradhara?

Vajradhara (Dorje Chang) Prince Siddhartha’s achievement of enlightenment, the realization, or wisdom of enlightenment itself, is called the dharmakaya, the body of truth. When he expresses that realization through subtle symbols, his realization is called the sambhogakaya, the body of enjoyment.

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Ruth Doyle