Discovering the Divine Lodan Chokse
Guru Lodan Chokse is the embodiment of Guru Rinpoche's fierce yet wise determination to overcome ignorance and obstacles on the path to enlightenment. His name, meaning "Intelligent Seeker of Supreme Knowledge," truly signifies his profound wisdom required to understand the nature of reality to dispel the darkness of ignorance. He is one of the most powerful, wise, and wrathful deities among the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche.
The latter is also known by his other names, including Guru Padmasambhava, Sangye Menla, the Second Buddha, and many more in the many sects of Vajrayana Buddhism. It is believed that the highly venerated Guru took on eight different forms, befitting those situations to restore Dharma, peace, and Buddhism. Each of these forms represents a unique aspect of his enlightened nature. After all, they all appeared at various times to address specific challenges and spread the teachings of the Dharma.
- Shakya Senge
- Pema Gyalpo
- Nyima Odzer
- Dorje Drolo
- Senge Dradog
- Lodan Chokse
- Pema Jungne
- Urgyan Dorje Chang
The Mythical Origins of Lodan Chokse
According to one legend, Guru Padmasambhava once visited Kche-yul in Singla, where evil and evil-doers flourished. The signs of Dharma and purity existed to cease, and people did not care about spirituality and good deeds. The divine Guru decided to subdue those negative beings but with compassion. He treated them with unconditional love and kindness that matched that of a mother. The revered Guru was able to lift up Buddhism in such a barren land of evil and negative forces without shedding a drop of blood. Such miraculous and compassionate form was then named Lodan Chokse.
The manifestation of Chogse was not only a response to external challenges but also a representation of the internal struggles faced by practitioners on the path to enlightenment. His presence serves as a reminder that wisdom and compassion are essential tools in overcoming ignorance and achieving spiritual liberation.
The Iconography of Lodan Chokse
Loden Choksey is often depicted as a wrathful deity but in a serene ambiance in the majority of Himalayan arts and crafts. His iconography is rich with symbolic elements that convey his role as a protector and guide on the path to enlightenment.
The Fierce Appearance of Lodan Chokse
1. Facial Expression
Guru Chogse is depicted with his eyes wide open and his mouth slightly agape, revealing sharp fangs. This fierce appearance symbolizes his determination to cut through ignorance and delusion.
2. Weapons and Attributes
Guru Loden is depicted holding an elixir-filled skull cup (kapala) and ceremonial drum., which symbolizes his ability to destroy ignorance and obstacles. The divine form appears seated upon a double cushion with a backrest whilst his weapons take the primary focus. Meanwhile, his phurpa is carefully tucked in his sash. His movement is depicted as if he is in the middle of a religious practice, given the kapala and the drum.
3. Royal and Lavish Adornments
His body is adorned with lavish royal robes that are richly embellished with gold patterns. He wears jewel-encrusted gold ornaments to add to his royal look. Among his precious adornments, the most important one is his jewel-studded diadem that graces his turbaned head.
4. Flames of Wisdom
He is usually surrounded by flames, symbolizing the burning away of ignorance and the illumination of wisdom.
In addition to this, the landscape surrounding him is mainly colored in richer yet subtle shades to emphasize his figure in the middle. The scene also includes a flowing water body, lush foliage and floras to denote a sense of tranquility where such God-like beings rests upon.
The enraged appearance of Loden Choksey among the flames is not to be feared but understood as a representation of his fierce compassion required to overcome obstacles on the spiritual path. His iconography serves as a powerful reminder that wisdom, when combined with compassion, can cut through the delusions that bind sentient beings to the cycle of samsara.
5. Five Disciples Around Him
Guru Chogse is often depicted with his four devout disciples called Rigzins. It is known that all of his adherents possessed powers to perform miracles. At the apex clockwise, there sits Dhenma Tsemung. He has such a brilliant sharp mind that he never forgets a thing he has eyed on. The second disciple is Zana Kuma, who can extract elixir from a rock.
The third Rigzin is Sogpo Lhaphel, who can easily tame ferocious cats by just caressing them. And the fourth disciple is Samgay Yeshey, who can pierce through the hardest rock with his phurba. Out of the four miracle-performing disciples, the Guru is also attended by a fifth figure, a devoted goddess. She gracefully proffers her lord as a sign of respect.
Lodan Chokse in Contemporary Buddhist Practice
Lodan Chokse remains a vital figure in current Vajrayana practice by being a part of the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche. He is revered for his high aspirations in dispelling ignorance and guiding practitioners on the path to Dharma. His teachings emphasize the importance of wisdom, love, and compassion in overcoming the challenges that arise on the spiritual journey.
Hence, he holds a unique and powerful place among the Buddhist devotees through his iconography, story, and his teachings. In a world filled with distractions and delusions, his teachings offer a powerful guide to achieving clarity, insight, compassion, and, ultimately, spiritual liberation.
By understanding and invoking Loden Chogse, practitioners draw upon his fierce wisdom to navigate the complexities of life. In such a way, they are able to overcome incomprehension and attain the profound understanding necessary for enlightenment. The legacy of Guru Lodan endures as a beam of wisdom, guiding the sentient beings on their journey toward spiritual realization.