The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sadhanamala and Other Cognate Tantric Texts of Rituals c10.s7: 6. Vajrasattva

The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sādhanamālā and Other Cognate Tāntric Texts of Rituals c10.s7

Language: English

c10.s7.t1 Vajrasattvātmikā — 2 parts
c10.s7.t2 Ghaṇṭāpāṇi — 2 parts

6. Vajrasattva

Vajrasattva, the Sixth Dhyāni Buddha, is regarded by the Nepal Buddhists as the priest of the Five Dhyāni Buddhas. He is not represented in the Stūpa like the other Dhyāni Buddhas, but independent shrines are dedicated to his worship. His worship is always performed in secret and is not open to those who are not initiated into the mysteries of Vajrayāna. Vajrasattva is represented in two forms, single and Yub-yum.

c10.s7.3

⁴ Getty : GNB, p. 139.

c10.s7.4

The notable feature of this Dhyāni Buddha is that he wears all ornaments, rich dress and a crown instead of the poor dress of the other Dhyāni Buddhas consisting of three rags (tricīvara). Thus Vajrasattva appears more to be a Bodhisattva than a Dhyāni Buddha.

c10.s7.5

He sits cross-legged in the meditative pose like the other Dhyāni Buddhas, and exhibits no special Mudrā. He carries the Vajra in his right hand with palm upwards against the chest and the Ghaṇṭā (Bell) in the left hand resting against the left thigh. His form is repeatedly described in Tāntric works. The description given in the Advayavajrasaṅgraha is typical and is quoted below :

c10.s7.6

“Vajrasattvastu Hūṃkārajanmā śuklo dvibhuja ekavaktro vajravajraghaṇṭādharo Kāṣāyarasasarīraḥ śaradṛtuviśuddho Yaralavādyātmakah ardharātrataḥ prabhātakālaparyanto Dharmadhātuparanāmā”.

c10.s7.7

ADV, p. 41.

c10.s7.8

“Vajrasattva originates from the syllable HŪM and is white in colour. He is two-armed and one-faced and holds in his two hands the Vajra and Vajra-marked Ghaṇṭā. He represents the astringent taste, the Autumn season, the letters of the alphabet ya, ra, la, and va, and the part of the night from midnight to day-break. His second name is Dharmadhātu”.

c10.s7.9

When represented singly, he is exhibited before the public. The Yab-yum form is generally kept secret. When represented in Yab-yum, he is closely associated with his Śakti who is generally known as Vajrasattvātmikā. He carries the Vajra and the Ghaṇṭā in the same manner as when single, but the Śakti holds the Kartri in the right hand and the Kapāla in the left (Figs. 41, 42).

c10.s7.10

He is represented widely in all Buddhist countries of the North. Some of his single and Yab-yum forms are illustrated here (Figs. 43,44). His white colour suggests that his spiritual sire is Vairocana of white colour. His position amongst the Dhyāni Buddhas is anomalous. Vajrasattva is widely represented in Tibet¹ and China²

c10.s7.11

¹ Getty : GNB, p. 6

Vajrasattvātmikā

c10.s7.t1.1

Symbol—Kartri and Kapāla Arms—Two

c10.s7.t1.2

As all the Dhyāni Buddhas have a Śakti each attached to them, even so the Sixth Dhyāni Buddha Vajrasattva also can claim a Śakti. Vajrasattvātmikā thus is the spiritual consort of the Sixth Dhyāni Buddha Vajrasattva. Her Dhyāna is rarely found in Tantric literature, but her form can be seen from the images where she is in close embrace with Vajrasattva in Yab-yum. In such cases she carries the Kartri in the right hand and Kapāla in the left.

Ghaṇṭāpāṇi

c10.s7.t2.1

Colour—White Symbol—Ghaṇṭā

c10.s7.t2.2

The Sixth Dhyāni Buddha Vajrasattva and his consort Vajrasattvātmikā claim Ghaṇṭāpāṇi as their Bodhisattva. The recognition symbol of this Bodhisattva is the Ghaṇṭā or the Bell Like his spiritual sire he must be white in colour. Ghaṇṭāpāṇi is rarely represented, and his images are very rare in Buddhist countries.

Cites (1)

Advayavajrasaṃgraha — Maitrīpa, Sanskrit