Naomi
07-12-2007, 08:27 PM
Buddhism is one of my favorite occult circles so I thought I'd outline a few key figures in this folder to help expand the foundation here on Tantric Buddhism in hopes of attracting a more diverse crowd.
This article is from a wonderful book called Wisdom and Compassion - The Sacred Art of Tibet. It's interesting how books on art described by art critics seem to usually outline the nature of godforms more intricately and precisely than books specifically geared towards archaeology or mythology.
"Ghantapa was a celibate monk-scholar of the famous Nalanda monastic university in northeast India. When he refused an invitation to come to the palace of King Devapala (r. ca. 809-849), on the grounds of the king's insincerity, the king became angry and put a price on his celibacy to win the substantial reward, a local courtesan sent her beautiful daughter to seduce him. The girl eventually succeeded and the two became a couple. When she had borne Ghantapa a child, the king came to take revenge. With a large retinue he confronted Ghantapa with accusations. Ghantapa smashed the baby and his gourd of wine upon the ground. The earth opened and a flood of water gushed forth. Baby and gourd were transformed into a vajra and bell, which Ghantapa took up in his hands. Transforming into Paramasukha-Chakrasamvara Buddha, Ghantapa rose into the air with his consort, who transformed into Vajravarahi. Avalokiteshvara appeared to rescue Devapala and his retinue from the flood. They prayed for pardon and were initiated by Ghantapa into the magic Circle of Great Bliss.
Ghantapa and his consort are shown in union as Paramasukha-Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi. His legs are drawn up onto the sloping pedestal and he balances his petite consort on his lap, possibly in the moment of rising into the air."Wisdom and Compassion - The Art of Tibetan Buddhism Rhie Thurman
This article is from a wonderful book called Wisdom and Compassion - The Sacred Art of Tibet. It's interesting how books on art described by art critics seem to usually outline the nature of godforms more intricately and precisely than books specifically geared towards archaeology or mythology.
"Ghantapa was a celibate monk-scholar of the famous Nalanda monastic university in northeast India. When he refused an invitation to come to the palace of King Devapala (r. ca. 809-849), on the grounds of the king's insincerity, the king became angry and put a price on his celibacy to win the substantial reward, a local courtesan sent her beautiful daughter to seduce him. The girl eventually succeeded and the two became a couple. When she had borne Ghantapa a child, the king came to take revenge. With a large retinue he confronted Ghantapa with accusations. Ghantapa smashed the baby and his gourd of wine upon the ground. The earth opened and a flood of water gushed forth. Baby and gourd were transformed into a vajra and bell, which Ghantapa took up in his hands. Transforming into Paramasukha-Chakrasamvara Buddha, Ghantapa rose into the air with his consort, who transformed into Vajravarahi. Avalokiteshvara appeared to rescue Devapala and his retinue from the flood. They prayed for pardon and were initiated by Ghantapa into the magic Circle of Great Bliss.
Ghantapa and his consort are shown in union as Paramasukha-Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi. His legs are drawn up onto the sloping pedestal and he balances his petite consort on his lap, possibly in the moment of rising into the air."Wisdom and Compassion - The Art of Tibetan Buddhism Rhie Thurman