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{{Short description|Tantric Buddhist female Buddha and ḍākiṇī}}
[[File:Vajrayogini from Thangka.jpg|right|thumb|280px|Painting of Vajrayoginī in the form of Nāropa's Ḍākinī]]
{{Tibetan Buddhism}}
'''Vajrayoginī''' ({{langx|sa|italic=yes|Vajrayoginī वज्रयोगिनी}}; {{bo|t=རྡོ་རྗེ་རྣལ་འབྱོར་མ་|w=rdo rje rnal ’byor ma}}, '''Dorjé Naljorma''') is an important figure in [[Buddhism]], especially revered in [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. In [[Vajrayana]] she is considered a female [[Buddhahood|Buddha]] and a {{IAST|[[dakini|ḍākiṇī]]}}. Vajrayoginī is often described with the epithet ''sarvabuddhaḍākiṇī'', meaning "the {{IAST|ḍākiṇī}} [who is the Essence] of all Buddhas". She is an [[Anuttarayoga Tantra]] meditational deity ([[Iṣṭadevatā (Buddhism)|iṣṭadevatā]]) and her practice includes methods for preventing ordinary death, intermediate state ([[bardo]]) and rebirth ([[Saṃsāra|samsara]]) by transforming them into paths to enlightenment, and for transforming all mundane daily experiences into higher spiritual paths.{{sfnp|Shaw|2006|p=360}}
The origins of Vajrayoginī teachings date from between the 10th and 12th centuries, and draw inspiration from Hindu [[Tantra#Śaiva and Śākta tantra|Shaiva tantra]]s. She appears as the consort of [[Padma Thotreng Tsal]], and of [[Cakrasaṃvara]], while
in Vajrayoginī standalone practice, her inseparable consorts are represented by the [[khatvanga]] (staff) on her left shoulder.  The lineage of Vajrayoginī practice can be traced back to the original teachings of [[Vajradhara]] and is divided into three main lineages: ''Narokhachö'', ''Maitrikhachö'', and ''Indrakhachö''.
Vajrayoginī's essence is "great passion" (''maharaga''), passion that is pure - free of ego’s deceptions and illusions. Because of her purity she is able to work for the well-being of others and for the destruction of all ego clinging. She is seen as being ideally suited for people with strong passions, providing the way to transform those passions into enlightened virtues.{{sfnp|Shaw|2006|p=360}} She is visualized in the form of a naked 16-year-old female with red skin, a third eye of wisdom, and numerous other symbolic attributes such as a [[Kartika (knife)|curved knife]] and either a [[skull cup]] or a [[damaru]]. Her fierce yet blissful demeanor conveys numerous spiritual attributes.
Practices associated with her are [[Chöd]] and the [[Six Yogas of Naropa]]. Her numerous temples in the Kathmandu Valley are revered as power places in both [[Newar Buddhism|Newar]] and Tibetan Buddhism. According to scholar [[Miranda E. Shaw]], Vajrayoginī is "inarguably the supreme deity of the Tantric pantheon. No male Buddha, including her divine consort, [[Heruka]] Cakrasaṃvara, approaches her in metaphysical or practical import."{{sfnp|Shaw|2006|p=8}}
Additionally and in the pantheon of female buddhas, the line of [[Khenpo|Khenmos]] (abbesses) of [[Samding Monastery]] in [[Tibet]] have traditionally been seen as emanations of [[Vajravārāhī]], which continues this specific lineage of female [[tulku]]s to the present day.
==Origin and lineage==
Vajrayoginī's sādhanā originated between the tenth and twelfth centuries against the backdrop of Hindu [[Shaivism|Shaiva]] tantras.{{sfnp|Payne|2018|p=62}}{{sfnp|Gray|Overbey|2016|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=fKQDDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT294 294]}} The Buddhist ''Yoginitantras'' that deal with ''yoginis'' and [[Dakini|''dakinis'']] draw from Shaiva scriptures. The {{IAST|[[Chakrasaṃvara Tantra]]}} in particular contains numerous passages that were adapted from Shaiva sources. The text and its commentaries have revealed numerous attempts by Buddhists to enlarge and modify it, both to remove references to [[Shiva|Shaiva]] deities and to add more Buddhist technical terminology.{{sfnp|Gray|Overbey|2016|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=fKQDDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT294 294]}}
In the {{IAST|[[Chakrasaṃvara Tantra]]}}, Vajrayoginī appears as his [[yab-yum]] consort,{{sfnp|Simmer-Brown|2002|p=159}} to become a stand-alone practice of [[Anuttarayoga Tantra]] in its own right.{{sfnp|English|2002|p={{pn|date=November 2021}}}} The practice of Vajrayoginī belongs to the Mother Tantra ({{bo|w=ma rgyud}}) class of Anuttarayoga Tantras along with other [[tantra]]s such as the Cakrasaṃvara and [[Hevajra|Hevajra Tantra]]s.
[[Vajrayana]] teaches that the two stages of the practice of Vajrayoginī (generation stage and completion stage) were originally taught by [[Vajradhara]]. He manifested in the form of [[Heruka]] to expound the ''Root Tantra of Chakrasaṃvara'', and it was in this tantra that he explained the practice of Vajrayoginī. All the many lineages of instructions on Vajrayoginī can be traced back to this original revelation. Of these lineages, there are three that are most commonly practiced: the Narokhachö lineage, which was transmitted from Vajrayoginī to [[Naropa]]; the Maitrikhachö lineage, which was transmitted from Vajrayoginī to Maitripa; and the Indrakhachö lineage, which was transmitted from Vajrayoginī to Indrabodhi.{{sfnp|English|2002|p=458}}{{sfnp|Rhie|Thurman|1991|p=261}}
==Iconography==
Vajrayoginī is visualized as a naked 16-year-old female with deep red skin, the [[third eye]] of wisdom set vertically on her forehead, and unbound flowing hair. Vajrayoginī is generally depicted with the traditional accoutrements of a {{IAST|[[dakini|ḍākiṇī]]}}, including a [[Kartika (knife)|kartika]] (a [[vajra]]-handled flaying knife {{bo|གྲི་གུག་}}) in her right hand and a [[kapala]] filled with blood in her left hand that she drinks from with upturned mouth. Her consort {{IAST|Cakrasaṃvara}} is often symbolically depicted as a {{IAST|[[khaṭvāṅga]]}} on Vajrayoginī's left shoulder, when she is in "solitary hero" form.  Vajrayoginī's khaṭvāṅga is marked with a [[vajra]] and from it hangs a [[damaru]] drum, a bell, and a triple banner. Her extended right leg treads on the chest of red [[Kālarātri]], while her bent left leg treads on the forehead of black [[Bhairava]], bending his head backward and pressing it into his back at the level of his heart. She wears a crown of five human skulls on her head and a [[Mundamala|necklace of fifty human skulls]]. She is depicted as standing in the center of a blazing fire of exalted wisdom. Her countenance shows both erotic and fierce features, "in the fullness of bliss, laughing and baring her fangs."{{sfnp|Shaw|2006|p=361}}
Each aspect of Vajrayoginī's form and mandala is designed to convey a spiritual meaning. For example, her brilliant red-colored body symbolizes the blazing of her [[tummo]] (''candali'') or "inner fire" of spiritual transformation as well as life force ([[Shakti]]), blood of birth and menstrual blood.{{sfnp|Shaw|2006|p=361}} Her single face symbolizes that she has realized that all phenomena are of one nature in emptiness. Her two arms symbolize her realization of the two truths. Her three eyes symbolize her ability to see everything in the past, present and future. She looks upward toward the Pure Dākiṇī Land, demonstrating her attainment of outer and inner Pure Dākiṇī Land, and indicating that she leads her followers to these attainments. The curved driguk knife in her right hand shows her power to cut the continuum of the delusions and obstacles of her followers and of all living beings. Drinking the blood from the kapala in her left hand symbolizes her experience of supreme bliss.{{sfnp|Shaw|2006|p=362}}
<gallery widths="170" heights="200">
File:Vajravarahi - Google Art Project.jpg|Vajravārāhī [[thangka]]
File:Troma Nagmo closeup.jpg|Tröma Nagmo, Tibetan Buddhist deity. Closeup from a painting of Machig Labdron, 19th century.
File:Chinnamunda.jpg|alt=A decapitated, naked, red-complexioned woman stands, raising her left arm which holds her severed head. She is flanked by two smaller women, also naked: a white-coloured one (left) and a blue-coloured one (right).|[[Chinnamunda]], 14th-century painting, Nepal.
File:Vajrayogini, Philadelphia Museum of Art.jpg|Tibetan statue, {{Circa|1600–1900}}
</gallery>
===Vajravārāhī and other forms===
{{Main|Vajravārāhī}}
Vajrayoginī is a female deity and although she is sometimes visualized as simply Vajrayoginī, in a collection of her [[sādhanā]]s she is visualized in an alternate form in over two thirds of the practices.{{sfnp|English|2002|p=44}} Her other forms include [[Vajravārāhī]] ({{bo|w=rdo-rje phag-mo}} "Vajra Sow") and ''Krodikali'' (alt. ''Krodhakali'', ''Kālikā'', ''Krodheśvarī'', ''Krishna Krodhini'', Tibetan ''Tröma Nakmo''; {{bo|w=khros ma nag mo}}, "Wrathful Lady", "Fierce Black One").{{sfnp|Watt|2019}}{{sfnp|Watt|1998}}
In her form as Vajravārāhī "the Vajra Sow", she is often pictured with a sow's head on the side of her own as an ornament and in one form has the head of a sow herself. Vajrayoginī is often associated with triumph over ignorance, the pig being associated with ignorance in Buddhism. This sow head relates to the origins of Vajravārāhī from the Hindu sow-faced goddess [[Varahi|Vārāhī]].{{sfnp|English|2002|pp=47–9}}
The severed-headed form of Vajrayoginī is similar to the Indian goddess [[Chinnamasta]], who is recognized by both Hindus and Buddhists.{{sfnp|Benard|2000|p={{pn|date=November 2021}}}}
==Practices==
[[File:Painted 19th century Tibetan mandala of the Naropa tradition, Vajrayogini stands in the center of two crossed red triangles, Rubin Museum of Art.jpg| thumb|right|Painted 19th century [[Tibet]]an {{IAST|[[mandala|maṇḍala]]}} of the [[Nāropa]] tradition, Vajrayoginī stands in the center of a red [[hexagram]], [[Rubin Museum of Art]]]]
Vajrayoginī acts as a [[yidam|meditation deity]], or the [[yab-yum]] consort of such a deity, in [[Vajrayāna]] Buddhism.  She appears in a {{IAST|[[mandala|maṇḍala]]}} that is visualized by the practitioner according to a [[sādhana]] describing the practice of the particular tantra. There are several collections containing sādhanas associated with Vajrayoginī including one collection, the ''Guhyasamayasādhanamālā'', containing only Vajrayoginī sādhanas and comprising forty-six works by various authors.{{sfnp|English|2002|p=321 ''ff.''}}
The [[yidam]] that a meditator identifies with when practicing the {{IAST|[[Six Yogas of Naropa|Six Yogas of Nāropa]]}} is Vajrayoginī and she is an important deity for tantric initiation, especially for new initiates as Vajrayoginī's practice is said to be well-suited to those with strong desirous attachment, and to those living in the current "degenerate age". As Vajravārāhī, her consort is {{IAST|[[Chakrasamvara|Chakrasaṃvara]]}} (Tib. Khorlo Demchog), who is often depicted symbolically as a {{IAST|[[khatvanga|khaṭvāṇga]]}} on her left shoulder. In this form she is also the consort of Jinasagara (Tib. Gyalwa Gyatso), the red [[Avalokiteśvara]] (Tib. Chenrezig).
Vajrayoginī is a key figure in the advanced [[Tibetan Buddhist]] practice of ''[[Chöd]]'', where she appears in her Kālikā ({{langx|bo|Khros ma nag mo}}) or Vajravārāhī (Tibetan:''rDo rje phag mo'') forms.
Vajrayoginī also appears in versions of [[Guru yoga]] in the [[Kagyu]] school of [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. In one popular system the practitioner worships their [[guru]] in the form of [[Milarepa]], whilst visualizing themself as Vajrayoginī.{{sfnp|English|2002|p=xxiii}}
The purpose of visualizing Vajrayoginī is to gain realizations of generation stage [[tantra]], in which the practitioner mentally visualises themself as their [[yidam]] or meditational deity and their surroundings as the Deity's {{IAST|[[mandala|maṇḍala]]}}. The purpose of generation stage is to overcome ordinary appearances and ordinary conceptions, which are said in [[Vajrayana]] Buddhism to be the obstructions to liberation (Skt. {{IAST|[[Nirvana|nirvāṇa]]}}) and [[Enlightenment in Buddhism|enlightenment]].{{sfnp|Huntington|Bangdel|2003|p=242}}
==Vajrayogini temples==
In the Kathmandu valley of Nepal there are several important Newar temples dedicated to different forms of Vajrayogini. These temples are important power places of Nepalese Vajrayana Buddhism{{sfnp|Shakya|1994|p={{pn|date=November 2021}}}} and are also important pilgrimage places for Tibetan Buddhists. These temples include the [[Sankhu Bajrayogini Temple|Sankhu Vajrayogini temple]], [[Vidhyeshvari Vajra Yogini Temple|Vidhyeshvari Vajrayogini temple]], Parping Vajrayogini temple, and the [[Guhyeshwari Temple|Guhyeshwari temple]].
==Emanations==
===Samding Dorje Phagmo===
{{main|Samding Dorje Phagmo}}
The female [[tulku]] who was the abbess of [[Samding Monastery]], on the shores of the [[Yamdrok Lake|Yamdrok Tso Lake]], near [[Gyantse]], Tibet was traditionally a {{IAST|[[nirmanakaya|nirmāṇakāya]]}} emanation of Vajravārāhī (Tibetan: ''Dorje Phagmo'').{{sfnp|Tsering|n.d.|p={{pn|date=November 2021}}}} The [[lineage (Buddhism)|lineage]] started in the 15th century with the princess of [[Gungthang]], [[Chökyi Drönma]] ([[Wylie transliteration|Wylie]]: ''Chos-kyi sgron-me'')(1422–1455).{{sfnp|Diemberger|2007|p={{pn|date=November 2021}}}} She became known as Samding Dorje Pagmo ([[Wylie transliteration|Wylie]]:''bSam-lding rDo-rje phag-mo'') and began a line of female [[tulku]]s, reincarnate [[lama]]s. [[Charles Alfred Bell]] met the tulku in 1920 and took photographs of her, calling her ''Dorje Pamo'' in his book.{{sfnp|Lepcha|1920}}{{sfnp|Diemberger|2007|loc=[http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/toc/ecip079/2007000291.html Table of Contents]}} The current incarnation, the 12th of this line, resides in [[Lhasa]].{{sfnp|Logan|2004|p={{pn|date=November 2021}}}}
==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Dorje Pakmo]]
*[[Machig Labdrön]]
*[[Mandarava]]
*[[Narodakini]]
*[[Prajnaparamita]]
*[[Simhamukha]]
*[[Yeshe Tsogyal]]
{{div col end}}
==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist}}
===Works cited===
{{refbegin|2|indent=yes}}
* {{cite book |last=Benard |first=Elizabeth Anne |year=2000 |title= Chinnamasta: The Awful Buddhist and Hindu Tantric Goddess |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-1748-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Diemberger |first=Hildegard |year=2007 |title=When a Woman Becomes a Religious Dynasty: The Samding Dorje Phagmo of Tibet |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=978-0231143202}}
* {{cite book |last=English |first=Elizabeth |year=2002 |title=Vajrayogini: Her Visualizations, Rituals, and Forms |location=Boston |publisher=Wisdom Publications |isbn=0-86171-329-X}}
* {{cite book |last1=Gray |first1=David B. |title=Tantric Traditions in Transmission and Translation |last2=Overbey |first2=Ryan Richard |date=2016 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-061378-5}}
* {{cite book |last1=Huntington |first1=J. C. |last2=Bangdel |first2=D. |year=2003 |title=The Circle of Bliss: Buddhist Meditational Art |publisher=Serindia Publications |isbn=978-1932476019}}
* {{cite AV media |type=photo |first=Rabden |last=Lepcha |url=http://tibet.prm.ox.ac.uk/photo_1998.285.137.1.html |title=Dorje Pamo at Samding Monastery |date=November 1920 |access-date=2022-12-07}}
* {{cite journal |first=Pamela |last=Logan |date=Winter 2004 |url=http://www.asiaquarterly.com/content/view/143/ |title=Tulkus in Tibet |journal=Harvard Asia Quarterly |volume=VIII |number=1}}
* {{cite book |last=Payne |first=Richard K. |title=Language in the Buddhist Tantra of Japan: Indic Roots of Mantra |date=2018 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-350-03727-4 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Rhie |first1=M. M. |last2=Thurman |first2=R. A. F. |year=1991 |title=Wisdom and Compassion: The Sacred Art of Tibet |publisher=Asian Art Museum of San Francisco |isbn=978-0939117048}}
* {{cite book |last=Shakya |first=Min Bahadur |date=1994 |title=The Iconography of Nepalese Buddhism |publisher=Handicraft Association of Nepal |location=Kathmandu}}
* {{cite book |last=Shaw |first=Miranda |year=2006 |title=Buddhist Goddesses of India |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-12758-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/buddhistgoddesse00shaw |url-access=registration}}
* {{cite book |last=Simmer-Brown |first=Judith |year=2002 |title=Dakini's Warm Breath: The Feminine Principle in Tibetan Buddhism |publisher=Shambhala Publications |isbn=978-1570629204}}
* {{cite journal |first=Tashi |last=Tsering |date=n.d. |title=A Preliminary Reconstruction of the Successive Reincarnations of Samding Dorje Phagmo; The Foremost Woman Incarnation of Tibet |journal=Youmtsho - Journal of Tibetan Women's Studies |number=1 |pages=20–53}}
* {{cite web |last=Watt |first=Jeff |date=April 1998 |url=https://www.himalayanart.org/items/490 |title=Item: Vajrayogini (Buddhist Deity) - Krodha Kali (Wrathful Black Varahi) |website=Himalayan Art Resources |publisher= Himalayan Art Resources Inc. |access-date=2021-11-04}}
* {{cite web |last=Watt |first=Jeff |date=December 2019 |url=https://www.himalayanart.org/search/set.cfm?setID=143 |title=Buddhist Deity: Vajrayogini Main Page |website=Himalayan Art Resources |publisher= Himalayan Art Resources Inc. |access-date=2021-11-04}}
{{refend}}
==Further reading==
{{refbegin|2|indent=yes}}
* {{cite book |last=Campbell |first=June |year=1996 |title=Traveller in Space: In Search of the Female Identity in Tibetan Buddhism |publisher=George Braziller |isbn=978-0-8076-1406-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Haas |first=Michaela |year=2013 |title=Dakini Power: Twelve Extraordinary Women Shaping the Transmission of Tibetan Buddhism in the West |publisher=Snow Lion |isbn=978-1559394079}}
* {{cite book |last=Norbu |first=Thinley |year=1981 |title=Magic Dance: The Display of the Self Nature of the Five Wisdom Dakinis |publisher=Jewel Publishing House |edition=2nd |isbn=978-0-9607000-0-4}}
* {{cite book |author1=Padmasambhava |author-link=Padmasambhava |author2=Kunsang, Erik Pema (tr.) |year=1999 |title=Dakini Teachings |publisher=Rangjung Yeshe Publications |edition=2nd |isbn=978-962-7341-36-9}}
* {{cite book |last=Tharchin |first=Sermey Khensur Lobsang |year=1997 |title=Sublime Path to Kechara Paradise |publisher=Mahayana Sutra and Tantra Press |isbn=0-918753-13-9}}
{{refend}}
==External links==
* [http://www.himalayanart.org/image.cfm/839.html Red Vajravarahi on himalayanart.org]
* [http://www.asianart.com/exhibitions/svision/i20.html Vajravarahi Mandala on asianart.com]
* [http://www.asianart.com/exhibitions/desire/vajravar.html Desire and Devotion: Exhibit on Asian Art—Vajravarahi with Retinue]
{{Buddhism topics}}
{{TibetanBuddhism}}
{{Yoginis}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Buddhas]]
[[Category:Vajrayogini| ]]
[[Category:Tibetan art]]
[[Category:Female buddhas and supernatural beings]]
[[Category:Wisdom goddesses]]
[[Category:Dakinis]]