YAMANTAKA INITIATION

Day 1: Friday, October 26, 2018, 6:30 PM

Day 2: Saturday, October 27, 2018, 2:00 PM

The Yamantaka Initiation requires two sessions and participants must attend both sessions. In Vajrayana Buddhism, Yamantaka, also known as Vajrabhairava, is a wrathful, buffalo-headed-meditational deity (Tib: Yidam) of the Highest Yoga Tantra class. Although practiced early on in Tibet by the Sakya and Kagyu Traditions, it was Lama Je Tsongkapa, founder of the Gelug Tradition, who instituted Vajrabhairava as the principal meditation practice of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism (the other practices being Chakrasamvara and Guhyasamaja). Vajrabhairava is seen as the wrathful manifestation of Manjushri, the buddha of wisdom, and in Sanskrit stands for the “Adamantine Terrifier.” But regardless of the manifestation one sees, Vajrabhairava is always depicted as a fear-inducing, scary, and intimidating deity. Not only is he terrifying to look at, he is also, according to the Vajrabhairava Tantra, the conqueror of all evil spirits, including the Lord of Death, Yama. Thus, he is also called “Yamantaka,” the Slayer of Death. Yamantaka is meant to be so fearsome that even the demons — whether you view them as metaphorical inner demons or external entities — tuck their tails and run. Even Yama (the ancient equivalent of Satan or Hades) bows down. As with all manifestations of the Enlightened, Yamantaka embodies all the qualities of a Buddha.

Please indicate your intention to attend by emailing us at: daknakteaching2018@gmail.com or calling 317-283-6781 or by using the registration form on our website (www.dgklbuddhistmonastery.org) under the program tab. As always, events at Dagom Geden Kunkyob Ling are free of charge; however, any contributions to support our mission and efforts to preserve and disseminate the Holy Dharma are sincerely appreciated. Your support, regardless of its size, enables us to continue to preserve and protect the Holy Dharma for countless years to come.