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Buddha Shakyamuni manifests in the form of Heruka Chakrasamvara (Tib. korlo dompa) for the benefit of all beings and therefore he is considered the source of this high tantra. For Kagyu people, Tilopa the Mahasiddha -- the greatly accomplished 10th-century South Indian adept -- is an embodiment of this deity.
A deity associated with the Marpa the Translator and Milarepa and with the Kagyu denomination in particular, he is also important to Sakya practitioners, and also to the Gelugpa, who call him Heruka or Demchog. Shamvara/shambara means ecstasy, the bliss that is the
result of tantric practice. It is related to an epithet of the Hindu god,
Lord Shiva, who is addressed as Shambo, usually translated, Auspicious One. In fact,
Heruka's topknot is adorned with the moon -- the characteristic jewel adornment
of Shiva, and in his activity form, he also holds, among other attributes, the
characteristic trident. The name Chakrasamvara means Supreme Bliss of the Wheel. The great Heruka is often depicted with four faces, twelve arms, and in union or complete embrace with his consort, Vajravarahi. He is blue-black. His arms stand for the 12 links, or nidana, in the chain of causality. The three eyes stand for the three times and the four faces, the directions. The first pair of hands holds a vajra and bell symbolizing the union of skillful means and wisdom. The second pair rends the elephant hide of appearances, stretching the skin of illusion like a cloak. A damaru (two-headed) drum in the third right hand shows that Samvara's "voice resounds joyously." The third left hand holds the khatvanga, a spear with three heads that represents "the blissful Thought of Enlightenment." His fourth right hand brandishes the axe that "cuts off birth and death at the roots." The skull bowl of blood in his fourth left hand shows that he "has cut away Shamvara is beyond both samsara and nirvana. To signify this, his right foot treads on Kalaratri (Darkest Night) representing nirvana and his left foot is on Bhairava, The Terrifier, sustainer of samsara (sangsara). Accomplished practitioners of the Heruka Tantra manifest different qualities
especially the realization that all
phenomena are one with the mind of Heruka, or the product of bliss and emptiness. But this is for only one of the three main Chakrashamvar traditions: One comes down from Luipa, another is from Krishnapada, and there is also the two-fold system according to Ghantapa, which describes the inner and outer mandalas. Vajrayogini is the name given to Heruka's consort, or Wisdom aspect.
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