Mouse Over Image to Zoom or Click to EnlargeCopper Kargapanni, Mahakala Statue 7 1/2" Item #3n56
Materials: Lost Wax Method, Copper
Origin: Made in Nepal
Tibetan Name: Gompo
Height: 7 inches
Width: 5 inches
Depth: 3 inches
Weight: 4 pounds
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Description
Mahakala is a form of the Protector of all Tibetan Buddhism. He is
two-armed and extremely wrathful in appearance. He holds an upraised
sword which symbolizes the wisdom, knowledge or ability to cut through
delusion or obstacles. His hair flows upward as he stares with glaring
eyes and a wide gaping mouth. Adorned with the bone ornaments of a
wrathful deity he wears a necklace of freshly severed heads and a tiger
skin. He is completely surrounded by the flames of pristine awareness.
His three eyes symbolize his knowledge of the past, present and future, and also the manifestation of the three bodies of Buddha. The crown adorned with five skulls symbolizes the transformation of the five poisons of anger, desire, ignorance, jealousy and pride into the five wisdoms. His two feet are the means and the wisdom to accomplish his task. His straight left leg and his right bent leg symbolize his accomplishment of the benefit to oneself and to others. Mahakala is seen standing on the corpse of a human body, thus symbolizing the death of negativity and the complete uprooting of negative patterns to such a point that, like a dead body, they will not come to life.
It is very important that we know these symbols of Mahakala because many times there are mistaken notions that he may be a clinging spirit or harmful, evil being, perhaps even the Lord of Death ready to devour and attack. One would find great difficulty in relating to the various symbols without understanding that our awakened compassion is the essential quality of the being of Mahakala. Mahakala is constantly benefiting beings through the continuous play of the enlightened mind.
Note: The Sanskrit descriptive name, Mahakala (Great Time or Great Dark One) is also used to refer to Lord Shiva, the Hindu god whose tandava dance sustains, but can also destroy, the universe of appearances, and who is associated with time, the other meaning of kala. The teaching known as the Kalachakra or Wheel of Time, is a Buddhist tantric system thought of as the key to reality that unites the universe, time and the breath of life.
His three eyes symbolize his knowledge of the past, present and future, and also the manifestation of the three bodies of Buddha. The crown adorned with five skulls symbolizes the transformation of the five poisons of anger, desire, ignorance, jealousy and pride into the five wisdoms. His two feet are the means and the wisdom to accomplish his task. His straight left leg and his right bent leg symbolize his accomplishment of the benefit to oneself and to others. Mahakala is seen standing on the corpse of a human body, thus symbolizing the death of negativity and the complete uprooting of negative patterns to such a point that, like a dead body, they will not come to life.
It is very important that we know these symbols of Mahakala because many times there are mistaken notions that he may be a clinging spirit or harmful, evil being, perhaps even the Lord of Death ready to devour and attack. One would find great difficulty in relating to the various symbols without understanding that our awakened compassion is the essential quality of the being of Mahakala. Mahakala is constantly benefiting beings through the continuous play of the enlightened mind.
Note: The Sanskrit descriptive name, Mahakala (Great Time or Great Dark One) is also used to refer to Lord Shiva, the Hindu god whose tandava dance sustains, but can also destroy, the universe of appearances, and who is associated with time, the other meaning of kala. The teaching known as the Kalachakra or Wheel of Time, is a Buddhist tantric system thought of as the key to reality that unites the universe, time and the breath of life.