Item: Chakrasamvara (Buddhist Deity) - White (Umapa Tradition)

Chakrasamvara, Sita (white).

There are three principal traditions of White Chakrasamvara. The three are the traditions of Mitra Yogin, Shakyashri Bhadra and Lama Umapa. The White Chakrasamvara sculpture depicted here belongs to the tradition of Lama Umapa. The form of the deity differs from the first two traditions. In the Umapa tradition the deity has a single face and two arms, embracing a red consort. Both are in a seated posture. The male figure holds two long-life vases in the right and left hands folded around the back of the consort. The consort holds two skullcups in the right and left hands. She is seated with her legs wrapped around the waist of Chakrasamvara.

"...Chakrasamvara, white like the reflection of the sun on a crystal mountain, stainless and radiant, one face, two hands, three eyes, hair in a topknot, adorned with beautiful ornaments, holding two long-life vases in the hands, embracing the consort, seated in vajra posture. In the lap is Vajrayogini, red in color, with one face, two hands and three eyes, seated, holding a skullcup filled with nectar in each hand, embracing the Lord around the neck, the two legs embracing the waist, beautifully dressed."

[Lineage]: "Vajradhara, Manjushri, Pawo Dorje [Umapa], Tsongkapa [1357-1419], Jampel Gyatso, Kedrub Geleg Palzang, Baso Chokyi Gyaltsen, Chokyi Dorje, Lobzang Dondrub, Kedrub Sanggye Yeshe, Lobzang Chokyi Gyaltsen, Konchog Gyaltsen, Panchen Lobzang Yeshe, Lobzang Zopa, Lobzang Palden Yeshe, Lobzang Jampal, etc." (bde mchog dkar po'i tshe sgrub bdag mdun dang bcas pa, by rta tshag 08 bstan pa'i mgon po. Volume 2, folio 13-22. Gyaltsab Yeshe Lobzang Tanpa'i Gonpo, 1760-1810).

The description of White Chakrasamvara written by the 8th Tatsag is based on a sadhana written by the 5th Dalai Lama, Ngagwang Lobzang Gyatso (1617-1682).

Jeff Watt & Karma Gellek 9-2012