APRIL 2024

According to Tibetan Buddhist teachings the true nature of all sentient beings is pristine awareness. The core of our beingness is primordial. It was never born and will never die. It is innate awareness beyond individuality, yet always right here, indestructible, and unceasing. Our basic nature, primordial mind, beneath and beyond our petty thoughts and concepts, is aware, pure, clear, open and compassionate. These enlightened qualities are symbolized in the various peaceful and wrathful deities depicted in Tibetan Buddhist iconography.  

Traditional hand-painted thangka of Vajrasattva (22"x33" with brocade) - $240

VAJRASATTVA

This month’s newsletter features Vajrasattva (Tibetan Dorje Sempa), which symbolizes the purity and pristine nature of enlightened mind. In Sanskrit, vajra (Tibetan: dorje) means “indestructible.” Sattva (Tibetan: sempa) means “being.” Our true nature, indestructible pure awareness, is beyond the cycle of birth and death. 

 Vajrasattva’s main aspect is white, the color associated with purity and the pristine nature of enlightened mind, but because the quality of purity is inherent in the wisdom of all 5 Buddha families, Vajrasattva can be depicted in each of the 5 Buddha Family colors (white, blue, yellow, green, blue). Vajrasattva’s purity represents the inherent potential for awakening that exists within all beings, free from the stains of defilement and negative karma.

  Vajrasattva holds a vajra in his right hand. The vajra represents skillful means: the ability to skillfully navigate and transform obstacles into the path of enlightenment. The vajra, often referred to as the “diamond scepter,” or “thunderbolt,” was originally the powerful weapon of Indra, King of the Hindu gods. When the symbol was adopted into Buddhism, it came to represent the indestructible nature of enlightenment. Its association with spiritual transformation made the vajra a central symbol in Vajrayana Buddhism, “the Diamond Vehicle.”

  In his left hand, Vajrasattva holds a bell or “ghanta,” in Tibetan. It symbolizes the wisdom aspect of enlightened mind. The hollow shape of the bell symbolizes “emptiness;” the understanding that all phenomena lack inherent existence. Understanding the teachings on emptiness, central to Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, is crucial for transcending suffering and attaining enlightenment. The wisdom bell of emptiness cuts through delusion and awakens beings from ignorance.

  Skillful means and wisdom are two essential aspects of the path to enlightenment. The integration of wisdom and method is crucial for spiritual progress and the realization of one's true nature. The vajra symbolizes method and skillful means. The bell symbolizes wisdom and emptiness. Together they create compassionate action.

 The purpose of Vajrasattva practice, its visualizations, mantra recitations and sadhanas (rituals) is for purification, particularly the purification of negative karma, defilements, and obstacles on the path to enlightenment. The practices transform negative emotions and actions. Devotion to Vajrasattva, one’s own true nature, purifies the practitioner's body, speech and mind, paving the way for spiritual progress and realization.

Hand-painted thangka of Vajrasattva Yab-Yum (31"x51" with brocade) - $460

Vajrasattva is often depicted in Yab-Yum posture in union with his consort, Vajrasattvi. “Yab-Yum,” Sanskrit for “Father-Mother,” represents the non-dual nature of reality, where all apparent dualities – such as self/other, emptiness/form, relative/absolute truth, and samsara/nirvana, are transcended. All apparent dualities or distinctions in the universe are ultimately illusory. The underlying unity points to a reality beyond conceptual understanding, where such distinctions dissolve. Vajrasattva Yab-Yum symbolizes the union of wisdom and compassion that is innate in non-dual Pure Awareness.

Vajrasattva holds a bell and vajra, representing wisdom and method. Vajrasattvi holds a drigug knife that cuts through dualistic conceptions and a skullcup that symbolizes spiritual attainment.

The Hundred-Syllable Mantra of Vajrasattva

To meditate on Vajrasattva is the same as to meditate upon all the buddhas.

His hundred-syllable mantra is the quintessence of all mantras.

-Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

oṃ

Om is the supreme expression of praise.

vajrasattva samaya manupālaya

Vajrasattva, ensure your samaya remains intact.

vajrasattva tenopa tiṣṭha dṛḍho me bhava

Be steadfast in your care of me.

sutokhayo me bhawa

Grant me unqualified contentment.

supokhayo me bhawa

Enhance everything that is noble within me.

anurakto me bhawa

Look after me.

sarva siddhiṃ me prayaccha

Grant me all accomplishments,

sarvakarma su tsa me

And in everything I do

tsittaṃ shreyaḥ kuru

Ensure my mind is virtuous.

hūng

The hūṃ syllable is Vajrasattva’s wisdom mind.

ha ha ha ha

These represent the four immeasurables, the four empowerments, the four joys, and the four kāyās.

ho

What joy!

bhagawan sarva tathāgata

Blessed One, who embodies all the tathāgatas

vajra mā me muñca

Never abandon me!

vajrī bhava

Grant me the realization of vajra nature!

mahā samaya sattva

Great samayasattva,

āḥ

Make me one with you

Vajrasattva Prayer Flags


Radiant Heart Studios has a carved woodblock with the image of Vajrasattva in the center and the Hundred Syllable Mantra repeated in Tibetan Script. The mantras of several other main deities are written at the bottom of the flag, and in the corners images of the Auspicious Animals of the 4 directions (Garuda, Dragon, Snow Lion and Dragon) are printed.


We print this traditional prayer flag design on many of our white cloth flags such as in the 5 colored sets of horizontal flags on rope and on the white pole flags.

On Sale This Month

Vajrasattva - Purification of Karma Pole Flags

20% OFF

Vajrasattva vertical pole prayer flags for the Purification of Karma

Left to Right: 3.5 ft tall, 6 ft tall, 9 ft tall,

10 ft Bhutanese style, 7.5 ft Bhutanese style

Free Drawing for the Month of April

I looked through my files and found two Vajrasattva images that I would like to give away.

This 13 in. x 17 in. print on rice paper brought over the Himalayas to India from Tibet in the early 1960's by a Tibetan refugee. The woodblock from which it was printed was too heavy to carry over the mountains and was likely destroyed by the Chinese Red Guard. Rice paper prints are lightweight but fragile and susceptible to mold in the Indian humidity.

This 12"x 16" thangka of Vajrasattva with consort was painted in Kathmandu, Nepal about 20 years ago. There is little ornamentation in this smallish painting and I thought an elaborate brocade frame might overwhelm the nice simplicity of the composition. A picture frame would look better.

If you'd like to enter the drawing, send your name and address to: prayerflags2@gmail.com.

Thank you for submitting your entries. Please be sure to include your address. . Congratulations to the winners of last month's drawing for the

White Tara rice paper prints :

Stuart Cooper ll of Melbourne, Florida

Jane Farmer of Arroyo Hondo, NM

This Month's Naga Calendar

(See our website for more information about Naga Offerings and Prayer Flag Ceremonies)

The Second Lunar Month ends April 8. It is the Naga’s memorial month. They remember everything that happens during this time, good or bad. Since their memory is very strong at this time, if you make offerings during the teb (+) days, the Nagas will always remember this and they will become your faithful servant and companion. On the other hand, if you make offerings to them on the dok days, they will perceive your offerings as being rotten and foul smelling and they will abandon you.

The Third Lunar Month goes from April 9 to May 8. During this month, the Nagas are gathering together in great meetings. If you make offerings on offering days, they will perceive your offerings as ambrosia. The result of this will bring much benefit to the surrounding environment, and all your wishes and aspirations will come true.

There are four especially good days to make offerings - April 4 (dakini day), 13, 30 , May 1, 3, (dakini day). Be sure not to make offerings on April 23 (full moon). If you do, they will think your offerings are garbage and they will run away from you.

Photos and Emails from Customers

I want to express my heartfelt

gratitude for one of the most auspicious gifts I have ever received. The beautiful image of Guru Rinpoche on rice paper arrived at home on March 16th.

I am not exaggerating when saying how auspicious this felt. I was connecting with practices linked to GR around the time I asked you to add my name to the drawing. It really felt like a major blessing to receive his image through the generosity of someone I do not know, from so far away! Also, when I read the little note that said "coming from 'Radiant Heart' Studio", it felt so right, inspiring. The day GR arrived, I saw a shooting star in the public park where I go to exercise in the evenings (just imagine a shooting star in the sky of a big city, illuminated, etc. Truly unheard of). 

Anyways, I could say many more things, but I just want to make sure you know how much I appreciate this gift. I will frame it with a background of laminated copper and a white frame. I hope it will accompany me for the rest of my days.

THANK YOU ❤️

If you have any questions or comments, I will try to answer your emails. I appreciate getting photos and videos of prayer flags on display, especially prayer flags that you got from us.

Email me at: prayerflags2@gmail.com

Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter.

Timothy Clark

Owner of Radiant Heart Studios