MAHAKALA

MAHAKALA

THE DHARMA PROTECTOR

“TRANSMUTE FIVE NEGATIVE AFFLICTIONS INTO FIVE WISDOMS”

MANTRA: OM SHRI MAHAKALA HUM HUM PHAT SVAHA

Mahākāla is relied upon in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. However, he is depicted in a number of variations, each with distinctly different qualities and aspects. He is also regarded as the emanation of different beings in different cases, namely Avalokiteshvara (Tib: spyan ras gzigs) or Chakrasamvara (Tib: Korlo Demchog, Wylie: ’khor lo bde mchog).

WHITE MAHAKALA is a wrathful (compassionate ferocity) aspect of Avalokitesvara (Chenrezig). Through his compassion, White Mahakala eliminates spiritual and material poverty for all beings, bringing us abundance.

WHITE MAHAKALA:  OM BENZA MAHAKALA HARI NI SA SIDDHI DZA

BLACK MAHAKALA:  Six-Armed Mahākāla Nyingshuk came from Khyungpo Naljor, the founder of the Shangpa Kagyu, and spread to all the lineages—Sakya, Nyingma, and Geluk, as well as various Kagyu lineages. There are also Terma lineages of various forms of Six Armed Mahākāla. Nyinghsuk, though derived from the Shangpa, is not the major Shangpa one—it's in a dancing posture, rather than standing straight up, and is a very advanced Mahakala practice.

Mahākāla is typically black in color. Just as all colors are absorbed and dissolved into black, all names and forms are said to melt into those of Mahakala, symbolizing his all-embracing, comprehensive nature. Black can also represent the total absence of color, and again in this case it signifies the nature of Mahakala as ultimate or absolute reality. This principle is known in Sanskrit as "nirguna", beyond all quality and form, and it is typified by both interpretations.

Mahākāla is almost always depicted with a crown of five skulls, which represent the transmutation of the five kleshas (negative afflictions) into the five wisdoms.

BLACK MAHAKALA:  OM BENZA MAHAKALA KIN KINTA BINAY BINAY YAKA HUM HUM PHAT SVAHA