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What? Wrathful Buddhas? Yes there most decidedly are wrathful aspects of the Buddha. Buddhism, though peaceful, is not wimpy. Formidible guardians watch over the faith, and ferocious spirit guides will cut through the illusions that stand in the way of enlightenment and liberation. Some of the more prominent wrathful Buddha aspects are actually ancient protectors of the land "tamed" and put in the service of the dharma in the early conversion of Tibet. They are much older than Buddhism, and not to be messed with. These protectors used to pretty much hang out around the Himalayas, but recent historical events have turned them loose, and they now go walking on the Earth causing great changes. World wide, the dreamtime will never be the same again. Those foolish Chinese, they do not know what they have gotten into. Their attempt to destroy Tibetan Buddhism, tragic as it has been, has only made it stronger. The reincarnating souls have scattered around the globe like the souls of the Ghost Dancers scattered across a continent before them. There will almost certainly be Tibetan style Buddhists long after the Chinese communists are nearly forgotten. |
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The wrathful deities ... enact the enourmous power of cosmic rage, a primal anger without hatred, which cuts through doubts... confusions, and all the turbulence of this increasingly dark age. Their mouths are open, fangs bared in a primordial scream so ferocious it is like an electric shock. But in the huge round orbs of their eyes there is stillness, the small quiet space of compassion. They are black and wear bone ornaments and tiger or leopard skins, treading on the corpse of ego. In their hands they hold cutting objects - the drigu or curved knife, the phurba, or three sided dagger, and the katvanga or trident with impaled skulls. Because we have more negative than positive energy, these wrathful forms are a truer representation of the Buddha for these times. --Norma Levine, Blessing Power of the Buddhas |