Vajradharma Lokeshvara – A form of Avalokitesvara

This article is about Vajradharma Lokeshvara, one of the 108 forms of Avalokitesvara, who is He? His significance in Vajrayogini Tantra, and His description in Sadhanamala.

Who is Vajradharma Lokeshvara?

Vajradharma Lokeshvara is a form of Avalokitesvara and a primordial Buddha in Tantric Buddhism. He has one face and two arms, and he sits in the Vajraparyatika posture on a lotus. His right hand is in Abhaya mudra, while his left-hand rests on his lap holding the stem of the Utpala. Sometimes, he also holds a bow and arrow to dispel obstacles to enlightenment. He is of reddish-white color and rides a peacock. He is adorned with silks, all the jewel and bone ornaments, and drapes antelope skin over his left shoulder.

How Vajradharma Lokeshvara differs from other forms of Avalokitesvara

Vajradharma Lokeshvara adorns the effigies of the five Dhyani Buddhas on his crown. While most forms of Avalokitesvara bear the figure of Amitabha on their crowns, Vajradharma stands apart by carrying figures of the five Dhyani Buddhas on his crown.

Vajradharma Lokeshvara in Vajrayogini Tantra

In Vajrayogini Tantra of Tibetan Buddhism, eleven yogas or meditative exercises are described for practitioners to further their spiritual upliftment. The purpose of these meditative practices is to transform one’s ordinary self-cherishing ‘I’ into the divine pride of Vajrayogini, an enlightened being. Among these yogas, the most important is Guru Yoga, where devotees visualize their spiritual guru as Vajradharma Lokeshvara, a fully enlightened being.

Vajradharma Lokeshvara embodies the Guru’s inner accomplishments and enlightened speech and holds a vajra and a bell crossed at his heart, symbolizing the union of method and wisdom. Through this special practice, devotees solicit the blessings of their spiritual teacher to successfully accomplish the aims of Vajrayogini’s meditative practices.

Vajradharma Lokeshvara as described in 5th Century Sadhanmala

One Sadhana in the Sadhanamala of the 5th century describes the Vajradharma form of Avalokitesvara. The distinguishing feature of this deity is that He rides a peacock. The Sadhana mentioned is in verse and the relevant portion containing the description of the form of Vajradharma is translated below:

The worshippers should conceive himself as Vajradharma of reddish white complexion, bright as the Padmaraga gem, who bears the effigies of the Five Dhyani Buddhas on His crown. His eyes beam with delight; and He holds with pride the stem of a lotus with sixteen petals in His left hand and with the right causes it to blossom against His chest.

He sits on the moon over lotus on the back of a peacock and enjoys his seat on the animal and displays the delightful sentiment of a lover. He moves in the sanctum of the Caitya the place for great performances. The worshipper certainly receives the Bodhi who meditates (upon Him) in this manner.”

Avalokitesvara and his form as Vajradharma Lokeshvara

As previously mentioned in the article on Avalokitesvara, Avalokitesvara is a form of Bodhisattva, whose duty it is to look round (Avalokita) for the welfare and happiness of the people in samsara. In this role, He manifests himself in all possible forms for the sake of the ignorant to bring salvation to all sentient beings. Devotees believe that Avalokitesvara has at least 108 forms, and Vajradharma Lokeshvara is one of them. The vow of Avalokitesvara in the form of Vajradharma Lokeshvara is to open the lotus in the hearts of all beings and reveal to them the absolute truth.

References

Buddhist Deities and Masters – An introduction by Chandra B Sakya

The iconography of Nepalese Buddhism by Min Bahadur Shakya

The Indian Buddhist Iconography by Benoytosh Bhattacharyya

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