Mahasiddha Virupa, Tibetan Thangka Painting
Original Size of Thangka ( 10 x 13 inches )
Virupa was the great adept who attained Buddhahood through the unexcelled yoga tantric practice of the Hevajra archetype buddha. He then created what became known as the "Path and Fruition" tradition that was foundational for the Sakya order. In it, the stages of the path of enlightenment teachings are integrated within the advanced creation and perfection stage yogas of the Hevajra Tantra. This creates a complete system of practice from any state of human evolution up through all the highest stages of Tantric evolutionary perfection. It is considered a nondual tantra by the Sakyapas and a mother tantra by the Gelukpas. Virupa is said to have achieved the highest insight after receiving revelatory visions of Vajra Nairatmya, the female form of Hevajra.
Virupa's trademark gesture, the left-handed threat gesture with which he stops the sun's descent, comes from his fabled exploit. He came into a town where he wanted to teach the king and his people, so he went into a saloon to drink wine and made a deal with the bartender not to pay until sundown. Just before sunset he stopped the sun's descent and kept drinking and drinking until the whole country became alarmed at the drought and disruption of having no nightfall. At the frantic behest of the bar owner, the king came and paid the bill. After that, Virupa naturally had the attention of the entire populace, and so he began to teach them the Buddha Dharma and provide them the refuge of the Three Jewels.
Homage to you Mahasiddha Virupa!
