Bodhi Tree Vajra Yogini
This 18 inches Vajra Yogini was given to me by a young Malaysian that I had met in Bodhgaya, India. I was in Bodhgaya on a mini retreat and was staying at the Burmese Guest House and went to do mediations at the sacred Bodhi Tree daily when I met this young Malaysian. Bodhgaya is the place where Shakyamuni gained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.
We chatted for days, drank tea together, exchanged dharma views. So he wanted so much to give me something. So He gave me this Vajra Yogini under the sacred Bodhi tree. How incredible is that! No need to say I was so happy and appreciative. I have this image with me on my altar always.
The mantras and consecration of this statue was done by Kensur Rinpoche of Gaden Monastery who is one of my teachers. So it is extra special when blessed by such a senior Master.
I have taken many people’s small photographs and put into a plastic holder and placed them under this image because I wish them to be protected by Vajra Yogini. May they be protected always.
Tsem Tulku
See the image of this particular Vajrayogini brings back so many memories. During my first visit to Tsem Ladrang for a study group with Rinpoche, I was invited to have an audience with this very image of Vajrayogini.
Real gold dust had been offered to her entire face and body, and she was decked out with overflowing pearl offerings made by Rinpoche and his many students.
She wasnt quite what I expected (i had never seen Vajrayogini before) but I was very impressed with her altar – there were silver offering bowls EVERYWHERE and a multitiude of candles, butterlamps, mandalas and so on. And that inspired me to set up my very own altar to Vajrayogini too.
There’s something so special about this Vajrayogini – it would have been among the first few VY statues that the “older” people in the Kechara organisation would have first seen. It was the first statue I saw that made me realise how special a Buddha statue could be. She was covered entirely with offerings and all that emerged was a splendid golden face, so alive that it looked like she might suddenly turn around, wink and say, “What’s up honey!”
Rinpoche had so much love for this little statue – it was just about his most special statue for many, many years throughout his years in Gaden, then for all those years he’s been in Malaysia. Rinpoche showed us how a very simple little statue, made from a mould that produced hundreds of exactly the same image, could be transformed into something so very special, radiating something so unique that it looked like a whole new statue of its own.
By his own example, Rinpoche has then always encouraged his students to have images of Vajrayogini, no matter how small, and to do as much as they can, within their means to make offerings to her, do their prayers, prostrations and aspirations in front of her – anything positive that will create a connection to receive her practice in the future.
He even freely gives out images of Vajrayogini to students, even to completely new people he’s just met – pendants, thangkas, statues, or even our Vajrayogini book. Just a few months ago, during the time when we were working on the vajrayogini daju prayers, Rinpoche was looking through a few Vajrayogini statues. he asked me which I liked, so I picked out this funny looking statue, very plain but with an adorable little face. He said, “Here, this is for you”, put her on my head as a blessing and gave her to me to take home. This is just one example – Rinpoche does this ALL THE TIME, doing whatever he can to bring this most powerful divine being to us.
Having a Vajra Yogini statue on our altar is not just praying to a “statue” per se. Tsem Rinpoche said that we are praying to an enlightened being who is a Buddha who will not get angry at us or take revenge on us. Praying to Vajra Yogini is to pray we may gain insight into her enlightened qualities, to protect us from being reborn into the lower realms and to control our own rebirths.
There is a wonderful video of Vajra Yogini dance that Tsem Rinpoche had shared on You Tube, called the “Mystical Dance of the Yogini”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyoBVlpTLFw
The dancer in this video portrayed Vajra Yogini so well in her fluid dance movements. She even wore the skull necklace on her. I encourage you to watch this video to be able to understand more of Vajra Yogini.
Seeing this Vajrayogini statue brings fond memories of working in the Ladrang before I went over to KMP. Part of being an attendant to Rinpoche was for me to make huge amount of water offerings around Vajrayogini every single day. That was prehaps the only task that I relished doing because it allowed me to arranged the silver bowls beautifully around Vajrayogini in a different formation every other day. When i offered water, it was exceptionally calming and soothing.
This Vajrayogini was particularly special because after months of making offerings, I had a major BF from Rinpoche regarding the glass casing of Vajrayogini. Subsequently, I found myself going to another department – KMP where I was offered to do writing and transcribing. I didn’t immediately made it as a writer but over a lot of trials and tribulations which culminated in the publication of my books. Coincidentally one is on Vajrayogini and other Sacred Power Places in Nepal. Somehow, Vajrayogini plays a particularly powerful icon in my spiritual life so far.
My Vajrayogini book is available here… http://www.kechara.com/publications/publications/vajra-series/vajrayogini-and-other-sacred-power-places-in-nepal/
Yes this Vajrayogini is so so special. Although it is the same mold as the ones available in Kecha Parasie outlets http://www.kechara.com/shopping/ this one is just special and very holy. Why? Perhaps the many prayers Rinpoche made and chanted infront of this Vajrayogini. She is alive and her eyes look like she is staring back directly in to YOU. I find this Vajrayogini mesmerizing and you can’t seem to stop staring at here once you started, it is as if she is about to say something to you. Her energy creates the desire for you to want to just meditate on her. So what is so great about Vajrayogini you may say, well here is a clue… you can get out of samsara faster like within 7 life times if you receive if from Tsem Rinpoche and where you will end up? In the heaven called Kechara Paradise where everything you see is Pure, Beautiful and you can continue your practice there
“His omnicient wisdom mind encompasses all that is existent;
His voice is profound teaching, which ornaments the ear of the fortunate pupil;
His body’s beautiful radiance evokes wondrous admiration;
To Lama Tsongkhapa whom merely viewing, or contemplating, earns one great merit. I make prostration. – Gaden Lhagyama (http://tsemtulku.com/resources/prayers/prayers-deity-prayer/je-tsongkhapas-guru-yoga-gaden-lhagyama-2/)
It is so true in applying the above prayer to Mother Vajrayogini. We are all so blessed to be able to see the picture of Mother Vajrayogini, whose statue has been blessed by Rinpoche.
Thank you Rinpoche. Thank you so much.
Note: Earlier on Rinpoche has given dharma teaching on on how Lord Tsongkhapa transform into Mother Vajrayogini. The video of the teaching can be found in the following doclink:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elBCVeGDncQ&feature=related
The above teaching can also be found in the comments section by David Lai and Paris in the blog “Starting On Vajra Yogini Now” http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/2010/06/starting-on-vajra-yogini-now.html
In the blog “Starting On Vajra Yogini Now”, Rinpoche has laid down the steps-by-steps method for one to get ready him/herself prior to receiving the Mother Vajrayogini initiation in the future.
The vivid description of Mother Vajrayogini can be found in the videos in the following doclink:-
Tsem Tulku Rinpoche explains Vajrayogini (Part 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTTxBbJpje0&feature=related
Tsem Tulku Rinpoche explains Vajrayogini (Part 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYEs0ihnpC8&feature=related
Tsem Tulku Rinpoche explains Vajrayogini (Part 3)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNqvT7QKi_4&feature=related
Not that I have anything to say about Vajrayogini. But the fact that Rinpoche received the Vajrayogini Statue in Bodhgaya
reminded me of my trip to Bodhgaya. Rinpoche returned to
Gaden Monastery after his fund raising trip to Malaysia. And this time it was my turn to visit him. I had been to Gaden 6 times with everytime a long stay of minimum one month. During one of my trips which was a stay of 8 months. Rinpoche told me to go to Bodhgaya with another of his assistant. I refuse and had a small tiff with him cause I only wanted to relax in his house. At that time I did not know Rinpoche wants me to go is for my benefit which I later realise and appreciate. Since he cant do anything to ask to go. He had to turn to Kensur Rinpoche who is also my Guru to summon me to go. I went with a lot of complaints and excuses but will never regret it. As I grow older I now realize I will not be able to make the pilgrimage now as my legs and body are not good for travelling anymore. I thank Rinpoche for having the foresight and compassion to help me fulfill a pilgrimage which every Buddhist should do. Thank you very much Rinpoche and with much appreciation. Anila
This Vajrayogini is so special, that Rinpoche has had another 4 exactly like it made, down to the smallest detail of jewellery, precious stones, painting and color. Why you ask? As blessed and powerful gifts for people! Rinpoche is always thinking of ways to touch others, with a kind word, a special gift etc in order to bring them closer to Buddhism. And what better way than with a replica of this so so special Vajrayogini!
For this same reason, the gift section in the ladrang is very important, as one of the ways to reach out to others. Read more about the Ladrang gift section here: http://www.kechara.com/ladrang/locations/tsem-ladrang-kuala-lumpur/
Having seen Rinpoche’s personal statue in person I can tell you that it is soo life like you could swear its a real person smiling back at you.
I was around for the 4 replicas made in Ladrang and they too turned out very beautiful. Rinpoche’s story re. the background, the people involved and how the offerings is inspirational. Rinpoche’s statue you see today is completely covered with jewel / pearl offerings. Over time many many many people have offered to Rinpoche jewels and other gems, these were offered to Vajrayogini on their behalf and prayers made for the multitude of stories and backgrounds of each person.
If you knew this you would appreciate that what you are gazing upon is not just some statue with jewellery but peoples hopes, dreams and sufferings.