Dorje Naljorma, Vajrayogini

Vajrayogini is one of the tantric goddesses who is said be the embodiment of compassion and wisdom. The practices that she initiated are typically practiced by followers of Tibetan Buddhism. Her name, Vajrayogini, can often be literally translated to be 'the diamond female yogi.' Her varied practice typically includes methods that will work towards the prevention of ordinary death. She also is responsible for methods that can transform even the most mundane of daily experiences into something that is essentially a higher spiritual path. Vajrayogini is very often considered to be one of the few female Buddha.

The deity Vajrayogini is very often labeled with the description sarva-buddha-dakini. This can be translated to mean the 'enlightened female who contains the essence of all of the Buddhas'. Not only is one of the few female Buddha, but she holds the distinction of encompassing all of the wisdom and compassion of the other Buddha.

The Vajravana branch of Buddhism teaches followers of Vajrayogini that the two stages of her practices, which are known as the generation and the completion stages, were initially taught to her by the Buddha who went by the name of Vajradhara.

Illustrations and statues of Vajrayogini depict her with having the body of a young woman, of about 16 years old. Her skin is depicted as being a deep red color and also translucent. The third eye that is representative of wisdom is typically depicted as being placed in the center of her forehead. In her left hand she holds the traditional skull cup that is filled with blood; she is also often shown as symbolically partaking of the blood that is contained within the cup. In her right hand she holds a cleaver, marked with the vajra. The vajra is a traditional and symbollic short weapon that is made from metal; the translation of the word vajra means both diamond and thunderbolt; the belief being that the vajra is symbolic of the strength of the diamond and the terrible force of the thunderbolt. Vajrayogini's consort is also often depicted over her left shoulder.

In the majority of illustrations of Vajrayogini's, her right leg is extended and stands on the chest of a red Kalatatri. Her left leg is typically depicted as being bent and standing on the forehead of a black Bhairava; his head is bent backwards and pressed into his back, on the same level as his heart would be. While some may believe that her demonstrating power and control over other deities is demonstrative of a wrathful deity, it is much more widely accepted that this is in fact demonstrative of the fact that she has been able to overcome ignorance and suffering, and leads by example so that she can lead her followers towards being free of their own ignorance and their own suffering.

Upon her head is an elaborate crown that is made up of five human skulls and around her neck is a necklace that is comprised of fifty human skulls. The majority of illustrations of Vajrayogini show her as standing proudly in the midst of a blazing fire, said to be the fire of exalted wisdom. Wisdom and compassion are the two most important characteristic that a sentient being much realize in order to attain whole and true enlightenment. While the majority of deities and teachers in Buddhism will embody one of the two, wisdom or compassion, Vajrayogini is one of the few that is the embodiment of both wisdom and compassion. This is said to be due, in large part, to the fact that she is the embodiment of all of the Buddhas.

As with the majority of illustrations in Buddhism, each aspect of illustrations of Vajrayogini are symbolic with a deeply spiritual meaning. With an understanding of what the symbolism is representative of, it is possible to get a better understanding as to who Vajrayogini is, and what she stands for.

* Her two arms are symbolic of her true realization of the two truths. This is important because some illustrations and likenesses of other deities depict them often with one arm, four arms, and even six arms.

* Her red body is symbolic of the blazing of the fire that burns within her. Her body is always shown as a vibrant red color.

* Her one face is symbolic of her true realization that all phenomena are of a singular nature in emptiness. Some deities have dual faces.

* Her three eyes are symbolic of her ability to view everything, over all time. Past, present, and future.

* Her drinking from the skull cup in her hand is symbolic of her experience that comes from the clear light that is bliss.

* Her curved knife held in her right hand is symbolic of the power that she wields; power that will allow her to sever the delusions and the obstacles that her followers and other sentient beings are suffering from.

When viewing depictions of deities it can always be beneficial to seek out the deeper meanings behind the spiritual symbolism of their depictions.

Vajrayogini's strongest association is with her triumph over the ignorance that sentient beings often suffer from, and the pig is typically associated with the characteristic of ignorance in Buddhism. When Vajrayogini is shown as her manifestation of Vajravarahi she is often given the moniker of the Vajra Sow. This leads her to be depicted as having a sow's head perched on the side of her regular head.

The primary female deity of the Chakrasamvara cycle of tantric Buddhism, Vajrayogini has many forms and manifestations that each have their own name and unique appearances. Some of her manifestations include the following.

* Naro Khacho * Dechen Gyalmo * Krodha Kali * Vajravarahi

Vajrayogini has many other manifestations but they are not found in many other illustrations and sculptures so they are definitely lesser known.

The representation of a wholly enlightened Buddha, in female form, Vajrayogini is familiar across all avenues of Buddhism. Some deities are less known in several avenues of Buddhism, but Vajrayogini is one of the few that transcends all of the schools of Buddhism.