7" Tibetan Buddhist Deity Shadakshari Lokeshvara - Chenrezig In Brass | Handmade | Made In India

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Shadakshari means six syllabled, the six syllables are OM MA NI PAD ME HUM and constitute the famous mantra of this bodhisattva that is constantly chanted by devout Tibetans. The mantra is considered so efficacious that it has been carved on numerous rock faces throughout Tibet. The explanation of OM MA NI PAD ME HUM is as follows:

OM closes the door to the suffering of being reborn in the god's realm. The suffering of the gods arise from foreseeing one's fall from the god's realm. This suffering comes from pride.

MA closes the door to the suffering of being reborn in the warring gods' (asuras') realm. The suffering of these asuras is constant fighting. This suffering comes from jealousy.

NI closes the door to the suffering of being reborn in the human realm. The suffering of humans is birth, sickness, old age, and death. This suffering comes from desire.

PAD closes the door to the suffering of being reborn in the animal realm. The suffering of animals is stupidity, preying upon one another, being killed by men for meat, skins, etc., and being beasts of burden. This suffering comes from ignorance.

ME closes the door to the suffering of being reborn in the hungry ghosts' realm. The suffering of hungry ghosts is hunger and thirst. This suffering comes from greed.

HUM closes the door to the suffering of being reborn in the hell realm. the suffering of the hells is heat and cold. This suffering comes from anger or hatred.

Although bejeweled and crowned, the bodhisattva is represented as a perfectly poised yogi seated with his legs closely locked in the lotus posture. His eyes are downcast, as if in meditation.

An antelope skin is over his left shoulder.

He has four hands. The principal hands are raised to the chest with the palms enjoined in namaskarmudra, the gesture of prayer or greeting, and hold a wish-fulfilling gem. The upper right hand displays the rosary, while the corresponding left hand holds the lotus, the distinctive emblem of this bodhisattva.

Chenrezig: The Embodiment of Compassion in Tibetan Buddhism

Out of all the deities of Avalokiteshvara in the Tibetan Pantheon of Buddhism, Chenrezig is the most renowned. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is believed to be an incarnation of this Bodhisattva, a living symbol of boundless compassion. Chenrezig is conceptualized and visualized in various forms, with many faces and arms. He sits on a full-blown lotus crossing his legs. He is usually depicted having four arms that represent the four immeasurables; Immeasurable Compassion, Immeasurable Kindness, Immeasurable Joy, and Immeasurable Equanimity. His two arms join together at the heart in a prayer position holding a wish-fulfilling gem in between. With his upper left arm, he holds a lotus flower and with his other right arm, he holds a crystal rosary (mala) which he uses to count the repetitions of the mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum”, which means “Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus, which is capable of liberating all beings from their suffering”. His meditation is practiced by all the great Buddhists in the lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. He is always depicted clad in the clothes of a Bodhisattva and wears the skin of an antelope on his shoulders. Bearing a soft smile on his beautiful face, he looks down upon the sentient beings with his eyes full of love and compassion.

What does Chenrezig represent?

The Bodhisattva Chenrezig is seen as and considered the embodiment of compassion and enlightenment. He appears on earth and looks upon every living being with immense compassion in his eyes and benefits them by turning the wheel of enlightened activity. Scholars believe that although Chenrezig appears in the material world, he is not affected by the modes of material nature and always remains pure and stainless just as a lotus flower remains free from the stains of mud. Chenrezig has all the good qualities that a Buddhist practitioner wishes to develop within himself. Thus, those who meditate upon the image of Chenrezig, gradually awaken those same qualities in themselves.

Can we keep Chenrezig statue at home?

According to Buddhist followers, keeping the statue of Chenrezig at home is highly auspicious. You can keep the statue anywhere in your home; be it your living room, meditation room, or area of worship. Since Chenrezig is very merciful and empathetic toward all living beings, he guides and inspires us from within, to walk the path of spirituality or self-realization. If you wish for a life full of enlightenment, joy, and spiritual bliss, free from anxiety and perplexity, you may meditate upon the glorious form of Chenrezig and chant his name in complete silence until you experience your heart open and your mind peaceful.