Heruka Deities in Nyingma - Outline Page Added
A new Nyingma Heruka Outline Page has been added to the Nyingma Heruka Main Page.
The early Nyingma Tradition had two principal systems of deity meditation: [1] the Peaceful & Wrathful Deities of the Guhyagarbha Tantra and [2] the Eight Pronouncement Heruka. Over time and with the rise of the 'Revealed Treasure' (Terma) teachings numerous [3] meditational forms of Padmasambhava grew in popularity essentially creating an additional third category of deity meditation types.
[1] Peaceful & Wrathful Deities of the Guhyagarbha Tantra (Shitro)
[2] Eight Pronouncement Heruka (Kagye)
[3] Meditational forms of Padmasambhava (Terma)
In the Nyingma Tradition the term Heruka (blood drinker) generally refers to any male-meditational deity, wrathful in appearance, typically with three faces, six arms, four legs, wings and a consort. There are eight famous Nyingma Heruka deities. Aside from those principal eight deities other deities with a semi-peaceful - semi-wrathful appearance, arising from specific Revealed Treasure Traditions, may also be referred to as Heruka.
Eight Pronouncement Heruka:
1. Yamari (Manjushri Krodha) - body - Manjushrimitra.
2. Hayagriva - speech - Nagarjuna.
3. Shri Heruka - mind - Humkara.
4. Vajramrita - quality - Vimalamitra.
5. Vajrakila - activity - Padmasambhava.
6. Mamo Botong (Matarah) - Dhanasamskrita.
7. Jigten Choto (Lokastotrapuja) - Rambuguhya.
8. Mopa Dranag (Vajramantrabhiru) - Shantigarbha.
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9. Mahottara Heruka