Yesterday I had no interviews scheduled so I went down to the Gyuto Tantric Monastery in the Kangra Valley to have an audience with the 17th Karmapa, who turned out not to be in town and has a very misleading website. The second part isn't his fault. So I took some pictures and went back up the mountain.
Many people say Buddhism is a philosophy, not a religion (the Dalai Lama is a big fan of calling it a science), which is true and not true. It is philosophy that is practiced only as a philosophy by very few people; most active Buddhists have religious elements in their practice. Tibetan Buddhism in particular is heavy on the gods, demons, and other creatures of worship. I could go into a long historical or psychological explanation of why this is and still not reach an answer.
One thing about the Tibetan Buddhist cosmology that I am sure about is that it has way too many people with way too many forms for me to recognize, and I've been studying Buddhist art for 3 years now. There are a couple basics - Shakyamuni Buddha, Chenrizig, White Tara, Green Tara - that show up almost everywhere, but then they have a lot of forms and other gods have forms that look like them. When I guess, I'm usually wrong. The easiest ones to recognize as historical figures who have less forms and obvious distinctive features. Shakyamuni Buddha, as in the guy who lived 2500 years ago, is just a guy sitting on a throne and is usually the biggest in the room. Guru Rinpoche, (9th century) who founded Tibetan Buddhism, wears a lot of layers and a funny hat and carries a trident. In the non-human realm, Chenrizig has a crown, tends to hold a precious jewel, and usually has white skin. White Tara looks like Chenrizig but is making a different gesture. Green Tara looks like White Tara.
The historical Buddha is very intimidating. Also this statue was about 25 feet high.
I only know this is Heruka because the sign said so. I would have guessed Red Mahakalah and been wrong.
Guru Rinpoche, wearing cloaks, holding offering bowl and dorje, with a trident resting on his shoulder. He also has a moustache.
Manjurshi is always holding a sword but in human form, so I think this is him.The sword cuts away illusions.
A lot of people say that these idols are only supposed to serve as representations of the Buddha-mind and teaching tools, which for some people I guess they do, but that's also bullshit for the most part. No offense to Tibetan Buddhism at all - we should respect what they actually believe. It would be a bit like saying that Christians don't worship Jesus or pray to him, or think he existed, they just put up his image to remind them of how they should live their lives. Some Christians do this, but most don't. At every Tibetan shrine I've ever seen, there's been offerings at the feet of the statues of water in bowls, money, food, and flowers. People bow to the statues and pray in front of them. They leave offerings. They carry images of particular saints or gods around in amulets for protection. So accept this religion for what it is, a legitimate form of worship of a higher power (or powers) and don't impose your own viewpoint on it as I clearly just did.
The Dalai Lama's throne for teachings and pujas (offering services). Someone has left him a large Toblerone box. At least he has good taste in chocolate.
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