Feminine Entities, Cross Cultural Pantheons: Vajrayogini and Dakini; Tibetan Fairies? (original) (raw)

Vajrayogini, as the principal female deity of the Chakrasamvara Cycle of Tantras, is a representation of complete buddhahood in female form. There are many different forms and depictions of this deity, with unique names, appearances, and respective iconographies. Some names are descriptive such as Krodha Kali meaning 'black wrathful' yogini, (Watt, 2019) and although in Tibet, Krodikali (Krodhakali, Kālikā, Krodheśvarī, Krishna Krodhini) is known as Tröma Nagmo, Tantric Kali cults have had a strong influence on Tantric Buddhism, which can be observed in the fierce aspects of yoginis and dakinis such as Vajrayogini and Krodikali. In 1932, a French author named Alexandra David-Neel, who wrote "Magic and Mystery in Tibet", translated dakini as "fairy." In certain interpretations, Dakini are Himalayan attendants of the goddess Kali, also known as "Cloud Fairies," "Sky Dancers," and "Celestial Women." In English, dakini is alternatively translated as "fairies," "furies" or "yoginis." They are sometimes defined as "Spirits of Wrath." In pre-Buddhist times, the Sanskrit word dakini denoted a female death spirit, perhaps similar to a Valkyrie, found at battlefields, cemeteries, and cremation grounds. In modern Hindi, dakin indicates "witch." (Suraj, 2022) (English, 2002) (Shaw, 2006). Through a comparative methodology, this research will attempt to link the Vajrayogini to other mythical creatures, such as fairies, whilst analyzing the Tibetan cult of the Goddess Kali. Our thesis relies on the idea that energy has different forms and quantities of masses, and that human's physical perceptions are limited to the spectrums of lights from ultra reds to ultra violets. However, this range of perceptive consciousness can be widened throughout meditative practices, such as Tantras, Mandalas, Mantras, Mudras, Visualizations, etc. Receiving visions or signs from Vajrayogini has an inherent feminine aspect to it, as we will see further on. Moreover, certain Buddhist practitioners have also developed their cults to mother Goddesses and spirits, and have received full initiation, within her specific rites. We ponder on whether it is the same entities, that can take different names, forms, and iconographies, or if it is respective land-based creatures that are not to be put in comparison. II. Context and definitions According to the encyclopedia Britannica, Vajrayogini, also called Vajravarahi, in Vajrayana (Tantric Buddhism), is the: "female embodiment of the cognitivefunction leading to Buddhahood. [...] In iconographical representations, Vajrayogini is usually depicted in a terrifying form, holding in her hands a skull and a dagger, her right leg stretched out, the left one slightly bent (alidha). She is surrounded on all sides by cremation grounds, indicating that the ordinary world has become dead in contrast to the rich world of inner life and its vision of reality without distorting fictions. Although she may be visualized alone, she is usually in union (yab-yum) with Heruka, who, when he is united with Vajrayogini, is known as Hevajra. As such he is very popular in Tibet, particularly with the Bka'-brgyud-pa (a major Buddhist sect), whose tutelary deity he is." (Britannica, 2022)