Dharmapala Thangka CentreTibetan Antiques


Vajra Yogini Tsa Tsa

Vajra Dakini

This Tsa Tsa shows the Dakini Vajra Yogini [Diamond Yogini] on a single layered lotus throne. This yogini is a female Buddha figure and is also called Vajra Dakini [Diamond Sky Walkerin]. These female archetype deities symbolically illustrate the Buddhist insight that enlightenment is beyond all sexual identity.

On tantric Buddhism, Dakinis are the guardians of teachings and are considered the supreme embodiments of wisdom. The Dakini can help change human weakness into wisdom and understanding, or the concept of self into enlightened energy.

Dakinis, a class of semigoddesses who play an important rule in Buddhist iconography and mythology, are the female versions of the male dakas. In Tibetan the word »daka« dpa´ po] means hero or wise man and Dakini is the female counterpart. The Tibetan expression for Dakini [mkh´a ´gro ma] literally means »sky-walking woman« and hence the common believe that a Dakini can fly. The expression is also used, however, as a synonym for prajna; therefore, as the embodiment of wisdom. Every goddess may be regarded as a Dakini. Both Dakas and Dakinis occur frequently in Tibetan literatur, though the latter predomonate.

The expression of Dakini is further used to designate the female partner in the tantric initiation, and thus she can be both human and superhuman. Furthermore the Dakinis usually act as spiritual guides to the mahasiddhas.

Her crown is made of five dried human heads. Her right hand holds a skull cup with blood inside. Her long necklace is made of fifty dried human skulls. The esoteric Dakini of this Thangka steps triumphantly on the personifications of desire, called »Dushenma«. Her Vajra topped magic staff [»khatvanga«] leans against her left shoulder, and a necklass made of fifty dried human skulls loops don to her knees. Se is surrounded by a flaming aureole [representing wisdom] flanked by a circle of 45 human skulls. On the four petals of central lotus four additional Dakinis are dancing.

There are two kinds of Dakinis - supramundane, or »beyond wordly«, ones and mundane, or »wordly«, ones, usually referred to as yoginis in real life. Dakinis or yoginis are often mystical partners of yogis, to whom they give secret wisdom and magical powers. The practioner strives to reach buddhahood through the help of his lama, or teacher, his yidam, or meditational deity, and his Dakini.

Vajra Yogini is stepping triumphantly on the personfications of desire and jealousy in the center of this extraordinary Tsa Tsa. She drinks blood from a skullcup held in her left hand. In her right her she helds a chopper. Her skull topped magic staff [»khatvanga«] leans against her left shoulder, surmounted by the vajra cross [symbolizing the union of wisdom and compassion, he vase of elixir of immortality, the three heads [wet, shrunken, and skull, symbolizing conquest of the three poisons].

The Tsa Tsa is relatively well preserved. The surface shows only some abrasions. If you use the high resolution, you can see the condition very well.


PropertyValue
Measurements: 3.1 x 2.5 x 0.8" | 8.0 x 6.4 x 2.0 cm
Price: 102 $ | 95 €
Shipment: Parcel Service from Germany
Material: Burned Clay
Age: 19th cent.
High resolution: Display [1.2 MB, 2226 x 2975 px.]
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