Item: Ushnishajvala (Buddhist Deity)

Ushnishajvala (Tib.: tsug tor bar wa): This is not a typical depiction of the deity and is likely a Nyingma Terma (Revealed Treasure) Tradition version of the Indian Buddhist deity. Note the black scorpion in the left hand; characteristic of the inner form of Padmasambhava - Guru Dragpo.

"Ushnishjvala is red with one face and two hands. The right holds a sword and left a wrathful pointed gesture [together with] a spinning blazing sky metal wheel with eight spokes; three eyes, bared fangs and a curled tongue. The orange hair, moustache and beard flow upward and the body is adorned with jewels and the eight great nagas; wearing a lower garment of tiger skin; standing with the right leg bent and the left straight."

Ushnishajvala arises from the Manjushri Mula Tantra and descends through a teaching line that includes Abhayakaragupta, Kache Pandita, Buddhashri Jnana and Ananda Gupta.

Jeff Watt 1-2008