Himalayan Art Resources

Buddhist Deity: Yugu Chesum

Wealth Deities Main Page

Subjects, Topics & Types:
- Description (below)
--- Bari Lotsawa Tradition
--- Atisha Tradition
--- Nyingma Tradition
- Kadam Three Deities
- Masterworks
- Confusions
- Others...

Videos:
- Three Pishaci Sisters
- Wealth Deities

Three Sisters:
- Norterma, blue (Wealth Giver)
- Goterma, green or white (Clothing Giver)
- Zeterma, red (Food Giver)

The original source texts describes the colours of the three as blue, green and red which is followed by the Bari tradition. The Rinjung Gyatsa of Taranata gives the colours as blue, white and red which is possibly following the Atisha tradition. The Nyingma 'Revealed Treasure' descriptions appear to follow the Atisha colour scheme.

The Three Sisters (Tibetan: yu gu che sum) are three pishaci spirits (पिशाची) of India. In Vajrayana Buddhism they function as wealth deities. According to the Bari Tradition the three sisters are from the Bodhagaya region of Bihar State. In more recent centuries the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism took up the practice after reportedly finding 'terma' Revealed Treasure texts for the practice. The healing deity Parnashavari is also related to the class of pishaci spirits.

The descriptions of the three figures can vary depending on the two source texts and also the later meditation and ritual texts of the various Tibetan traditions.

Secondary Figures:
- Maharakta Ganapati: HAR #89906

Bari Lotsawa Lineage:
Nagarjuna down to Pandita Vajrasana to Bari Lotsawa Dorje Drag. (sgrub thabs kun btus, folio 572. bod brgyud nang bstan lha tshogs chen bzhugs so, page 1073).

Rinjung Gyatsa Lineage:
Vajrapani, Atisha, Ame Chenpo, Nezurpa, Gya Chagriwa, Dagpo Lhaje, Dusum Khyenpa, Drogon Rechen, Trebo Chokyi Gyatso, (see the Go Dog lineage), Kunga Drolchog, Taglung Rinpoche Namgyal Puntsog, [Taranata Kunga Nyingpo]. (Volume 2, folios 302-303).

Jeff Watt [updated 5-2019]


Indian Source Texts:

- Pishaci Yakshi Dakini Kalpa Utpata Kundali Sadhanam Nama. sgrub thabs kun btus, vol. 9, folios 354-356.

- Yakshinya Kundali Pindarta Tika. sgrub thabs kun btus, vol. 9, folios 356-358.