Vajrayogini (Sanskrit)

18” x 24” ◊ Ground mineral pigment and gold on cotton cloth

Vajrayogini is the most important tantric Buddhist meditational deity, known as "Sarva-buddha-dakini" the "Dakini Who is the Essence of all Buddhas". She represents the fully enlightened female, and is known for her strength, wisdom and passion. Vajrayogini's blissful, fierce facial expression symbolizes Bodhichitta, her enlightened mind (or achievement of Buddhahood), for the benefit of all sentient beings. She bears four fangs, signifying the four noble truths of the Buddha, namely that: 1) life is suffering; 2) attachment is the origin of suffering; 3) cessation of suffering is attainable; and 4) there exits an 8-fold path towards enlightenment.

Vajrayogini's long flowing hair symbolizes her freedom from sentient attachments and delusions. In her left hand, she holds a white skull-cup filled with her own menstrual blood. By consuming it, Vajrayogini demonstrates she has annihilated her ego and transmutated the five poisons (desire, anger, ignorance, pride and envy) into nectar. In her other, she holds a knife, symbolizing her ability to cut through all ignorance and negative emotions. Vajrayogini's hand is in the position of a threatening mudra, demonstrating that no one can overcome her. She steps on the chest of a surrendering being, symbolizing the destruction of desire and lust, and steps on the back of an opponent, suggesting the obliteration of ignorance and hatred.