Toh 2148A Sādhana of the Great Entourage of the Great Lord of Yakṣas, the Blue-Clad Vajrapāṇi

Exposition of the Sādhana of the Great Lord of Yakṣas, the Blue-Clad Vajrapāṇi

Context

This text is a sādhana — meaning a “method of practice” or “path to accomplishment” — recorded in the Tengyur of the Northern Transmission, the collection of commentaries and methods of practice of the Tibetan tradition. A sādhana is not a discourse spoken by the Buddha, but an instruction in meditation and visualization established by later masters on the basis of the original teachings.

Vajrapāṇi, the Lord of Powerful Means, is a great bodhisattva who holds an important place in the Mahayana and especially in Tibetan Buddhism. His image as clad in blue (Nīlāmbara) and holding the vajra of skillful means expresses the power of true wisdom that pierces through all ignorance and demonic obstacles. Calling him the “Great Lord of Yakṣas” (mahāyakṣasenāpati) shows that Vajrapāṇi is also the sovereign protector of the divine spirits of the cosmic order, sacred mighty beings who support the Buddha Dharma.

Main Content

This sādhana guides the practitioner in performing a detailed visualization rite of Vajrapāṇi and his entire great retinue. The method of practice consists of basic steps: first, the practitioner nurtures bodhicitta — the resolve to liberate all beings. Next, one trains in “original emptiness” (śūnyatā), recognizing that all phenomena are without any enduring, independent essence.

From this state, the practitioner repeatedly visualizes Vajrapāṇi appearing in a vast form, his entire body deep blue, crowned, holding a lightning vajra and a binding lasso. Around him is a great assembly of yakṣas — powerful, subtle divine beings belonging to the class of activity — protective bodhisattvas, and Buddhist guardian deities.