Vajrakila- Dorje Phurba- Purifying deity of karma
1- Who is Vajrakilaya?
Vajrakilaya or Vajrakila (tib. Do-rje Phur-ba) "the adamantine dagger", called
also Vajrakumara (Tib. Dor-je gzhon-nu) "the young diamond", is a prominent tantric deity in Tibetan Buddhism, embodying the wrathful manifestation of the compassion and wisdom of the Buddhas. This deity is associated with the purification of the karma and the destruction of obstacles on the path to awakening.
As a purifier of karma, Vajrakilaya concentrates the energies and wisdom of the five dhyani buddhas, of which he is sometimes described as the very essence. His practice centers on confession and purification.
As one of the principal deities of the ancient tantras, Vajrakilaya, the wrathful Heruka, embodies the enlightened activity of all Buddhas. His practice is renowned for being the most powerful in removing obstacles, destroying forces hostile to compassion, purifying spiritual pollution, and enabling one to attain ordinary and supreme attainments promptly.
The Phurba- Dagger of Tantric Buddhism:
It represents the deity Vajrakilaya associated with the magical dagger phurba or Kila in Sanskrit, symbolizing the sharp point of immutable wisdom against the power of benevolence. This archetype has a very particular yogic use, not being seen simply as an external deity to be worshipped or manipulated in rituals.
------ Exceptional mammoth ivory phurba in our collection
The meaning of Vajrakilaya and kila (or phurba in Tibetan):
1) Vajrakilaya of the base: is none other than the primordially unborn nature of the mind, where the three bodies and the five wisdoms express themselves spontaneously.
2) Varjakilaya of the path: In spiritual practice, Vajrakilaya is the deity that one visualizes. The phurba is his symbol, representing the transmutation of the three poisons and their liberation into the dharmadhatu (ultimate space). There are four types of phurba:
- The Rigpa Phurba: Symbolizing the nature of mind.
- The phurba of bodhicitta: associated with the union practices of dzogrim, the completion phase.
- The phurba of unlimited compassion : expressing the vow to leave no being in suffering.
- The material phurba: itself, used as a ritual instrument in spiritual practice.
3) Vajrakilaya of the fruit: Represents the accomplishment of awakening, the primordial wisdom of the mind of all Buddhas
Emanation of Buddha Vajrasattva:
Vajrakilaya is the extremely wrathful form of Vajrasattva Buddha, the semi-wrathful form being Vajra Vidharana (Tib. Dorje Namjom) and the wrathful form Vajrapani.
Vajrasattva is a major figure in Buddhism, considered a Buddha in Vajrayana traditions. His name means "Diamond Being" or "Lightning Being" and he is associated with purification and transformation of karmic impurities.
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Iconographically, Vajrasattva is depicted as a seated Buddha, often white in color, holding a vajra (a ritual weapon symbolizing the indestructible nature of reality) in his right hand and a bell in his left hand, symbolizing compassion. He is generally considered the pure and primordial form of the awakened mind.
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The practice of Vajrasattva is widely used in Vajrayana Buddhism for the purification of negative actions, obstacles, and disturbing emotions. Followers recite his mantra and perform visualizations to purify their mind and karma, thus opening the way to awakening.
Vajrakilaya is one of the eight Kagye deities, or wisdom kings:
Vajrakilaya is one of the eight Kagye deities, the eight great teachings of Sadhana, sets of teachings or transmissions of Mahayoga entrusted to Padmasambhava and the eight vidyadharas of India.
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In Vajrayana Buddhism, the Wisdom Kings occupy a special place as deities, ranked just after the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Their Sanskrit name literally translates to "King of Knowledge," or, "King of Wisdom," hence the use of the Chinese character meaning "knowledgeable" or "brilliant."
In Tibetan Buddhism they are known as Herukas.
Their main role is to offer protection and guidance to practitioners on the path to awakening.
Each Kagye embodies different facets of wisdom and awakened activity, and their practice is often used to overcome inner and outer obstacles, purify disturbing emotions, and develop the qualities necessary to achieve enlightenment.
As powerful figures, the Kagye are revered and invoked in tantric rituals and meditations.
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Besides Vajrakilaya, the eight Kagye deities are:
1) Yamantaka: symbolizing victory over death and negative forces
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5) Mahamayuri: embodies the power of wisdom and compassion, offering protection and strength to overcome obstacles on the path to awakening.
The Vajrakilaya transmission lineages are those that played a major role in the propagation of the Kagye.
Phrabhahasti, as vidyadhara (spiritual master), transmitted the practice of Vajrakilaya to Padmasambhava.
When Padmasambhava was meditating on Yangdak Heruka with the Nepalese Sakyadevi at Yanglesho, major obstacles arose.
Padmasambhava then sought the help of Phrabhahasti to send him the voluminous texts of the vidyoatta-matantra concerning Vajrakilaya.
Through this practice he overcame the difficulties he encountered.
Padmasambhava, literally born from the lotus, is a Buddhist master of the 8th century, probably born during the first quarter of this century, in the Swat valley in Pakistan, also called Guru Rinpoche (“precious master”).
He is considered an enlightened master, an Indian yogi, and a founder of Tibetan Buddhism. Padmasambhava is revered for introducing Tantric Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century. He is renowned for his miraculous powers, wisdom, and ability to overcome obstacles. Padmasambhava is often depicted with a crown, holding a vajra (thunderbolt) and a bell, symbols of his enlightened nature and compassion.
A terma, in Tibetan Buddhism, is a hidden teaching or spiritual treasure revealed by an accomplished master, often after a period of concealment in nature or the spirit world. These teachings are often intentionally concealed by masters such as Padmasambhava to be discovered by later practitioners at a time when they will be most beneficial for the preservation and propagation of the Dharma. Termas may be in the form of written texts, ritual objects, or sacred places.
3) Iconography of Vajrakilaya
The form of this statue, the most common, is taken from the "root tantra of adamantine wrath" (rTsa- rgyud- rdo- rje khros- pas).
Heruka with three heads, six arms and four legs, brandishing vajra (tib. dorje), thunderbolts pulverizing ignorance with his right hands.
The vajra, also known as the dorje in Tibetan, is a powerful symbol in Buddhist and Hindu traditions. It represents the indestructible nature of reality and is associated with strength, stability, and compassion. In Buddhism, it is often held by deities such as Vajrasattva and Vajrapani, symbolizing their power and ability to remove ignorance and obstacles on the path to enlightenment.
A mass of flame and more occasionally a trident in his left hands.
With his 4 legs, he tramples the male and female mahadeva (aversion and
desire).
It deploys two immense adamantine wings with sharp edges, and carries the
macabre ornaments of mass graves.
Its crown with 5 skulls represents the 5 addictions (or Kesla) transformed into 5 wisdoms.
Vajrakilaya is shown in formidable union, or Yab Yum with his consort Diptachakra also named Vajravetali
Diptachakra (tib; Khorlo Gyédepma) offers him with his right hand a kapala (skull cup) filled with blood and with his left a kartika, or kartrika, a small crescent-shaped ritual skinning knife used in the tantric ceremonies of Vajrayana Buddhism.
The kartika is said to be "one of the quintessential attributes of the deities
tantric wrathful." It is commonly referred to as the "knife of the dakinis."
Its shape is similar to that of the Inuitsulu or woman's knife, which is
used for many things, including cleaning skins.
While the kartari is normally held in the right hand of a dakini in
the iconography and spiritual practice of Vajrayana, it can sometimes be seen
held by esoteric male deities, such as some forms of
Yamantaka.
In the same way that the bell and the vajra are commonly paired ritual items in Vajrayana spiritual practice and iconography (one is held in the right hand and the other simultaneously held in the left), the kartika commonly appears as a pair with the kapala or "skull-cup". The shape of the kartika, or trigug, with its crescent shape and the hook at the end, is derived from the shape of a traditional form of Indian butcher's knife.
Together they represent the union of wisdom and method, which is the
active compassion.
Enthroned on a lotus and a sun cushion, Vajrakilaya and Vajravétali sit in the middle of a devouring blaze.
4- Vajrakilaya Mantra
OM VAJRA KILI KILAYA SARVA BIGHANEN BAM HUM PHAT
The Vajrakilaya mantra is a powerful incantation used in spiritual practice to invoke the energy and protection of this deity:
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“OM” : This is a primordial mantra, representing the original sound, the essence of the universe and reality.
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"VAJRA" : This word means "diamond" or "indestructible" in Sanskrit. It represents the indestructible nature of reality and is often associated with strength and stability.
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"KILI KILAYA" : These are the central syllables of the mantra, specific to Vajrakilaya. They represent the essence of this deity and are used to invoke his presence and power.
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"SARVA BIGHANEN" : These words mean "to eliminate all obstacles". They express the practitioner's intention to eliminate all hindrances on the spiritual path.
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"BAM": Seed syllable used in meditation and spiritual practice. Each bija mantra is associated with a specific energy and has a symbolic meaning. "BAM" is associated with the energy of realization and transformation. It is a sound that symbolizes the destruction of obstacles and illusions, thus enabling spiritual awakening and the realization of ultimate truth. In the practice of Vajrakilaya, "BAM" strengthens the intention to eliminate negative forces and obstacles on the path to awakening, thus enabling the purification and transformation of karma.
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"HUM": sacred Sanskrit syllable used in Tantric Buddhist mantras, associated with purification and transformation of negative emotions into wisdom. Also considered a symbol of the nature of pure mind and emptiness.
In the context of this mantra, "Hum" enhances the power and effectiveness of the invocation of Vajrakilaya, helping to purify the mind and establish a deep connection with the wisdom and compassion of this deity.
- - "PHAT": Also a sacred Sanskrit syllable used in Tantric Buddhist mantras, "Phat" is interpreted as an expression of power or energy. It is a syllable used to seal the mantra, thus strengthening its effectiveness and protection.
"Phat" is considered to be a manifestation of the strength or power of the deity invoked in the mantra. Its final use in the mantra is a means of quickly manifesting the blessings and protection of the deity Vajrakilaya.
The Vajrakilaya mantra is renowned as one of the most powerful mantras for dispelling obstacles in life. Meditation on Vajrakilaya offers a path to transcending internal fear, releasing personal attachments, and discovering the true nature of the mind.