Buddhist Deity: Avalokiteshvara, Khasarpana (Khasarpani)
Khasarpana MasterworksSubjects, Topics & Types:
- Description (Below)
- Lokeshvara (Iconic Forms)
- Meaning of the Term
- Source Texts
- Stone (Pala & Other)
- Related Deities: Amoghapasha
- Confusions: Padmapani Lokeshvara
- Other...
Videos:
- Khasarpana Lokeshvara
- All Lokeshvara Videos
Study Topics:
- Description
- Name
- Iconographic Traditions
Khasarpana Traditions:
- Five Deity (Bari Lotsawa)
- Amoghapasha Five Deity (Mitra Yogin)
- Five Deity (Nagrin Tradition) [Page 455]
- 'Resting in the Nature of Mind' (Tropu Lotsawa) [Page 456]
- According to the Teachings of the Sarvadurgati [Page 481]
- Lokeshvara Thirteen Deity [Page 482]
- Others...
Khasarpana (Khasarpani), meaning 'sky flyer' in Sanskrit is also written in Tibetan language texts as Khasarpani. The term refers to several types of iconographic figures. The first type is a generic peaceful male subject with one face, two hands, white in colour, the right hand in a gesture of generosity, holding a lotus stem in the left hand. Often there is a seated Amitabha Buddha in the crown and a krishnasara deer skin over the left shoulder. The hand and arm positions can be varied and the sitting posture relaxed in a variety of postures.
Another common type of Khasarpana figure is similar to the description above but more exacting in the appearance and posture. This type is iconographic and specific in appearance based on Tantric literature. Khasarpana can be solitary or part of a five or thirteen deity configuration. The Tropu Lotsawa tradition depicts Khasarpani in the same appearance as Lokeshvara 'Resting in the Nature of Mind.'
"...[20] Khasarpani.
Avalokiteshvara Khasarpani, with a body white in colour, one face and two hands, the right in supreme generosity [and] the left holding a lotus. With the hair adorned as a crown, the same ornaments and garments. Seated in the half [vajra] posture. At the right side is Green Tara, [with] the right in supreme generosity and the left holding an utpala [and] Yellow Manidharin holding a Dharma kapala with palms joined. At the left are Yellow Bhrikuti, [with] the right in supreme generosity and the left holding a three pointed stick [and] Red Hayagriva, in a manner of bowing with the right [hand], and the left holding a stick under the beard." (By Ngorchen Konchog Lhundrub (1497-1557). Based on the Bari Gyatsa of Bari Lotsawa Rinchen Drag, 1040-1112 [P3731]).
The Sadhanasamucchaya has two forms of Khasarpana. The first (folio 44) clearly states that it is extracted from the Sarva Durgati Parishodhana Tantra, belonging to the Yoga Class of the four Classes of Tantra: Kriya, Charya, Yoga and Anuttarayoga Tantra.
"Mitra Gyatsa #9, Amoghapasha Five Deity" (Avalokiteshvara Khasarpani).
The Sadhanamala of Benoytosh Bhattacharyya (1925) lists six texts:
13. Arya Khasarpana Lokeshvara Sadhanam (page 37)
14. Khasarpana Sadhanam (Padmakarmate, page 38)
15. Khasarpana Sadhanam (page 42)
16. Arya Avalokiteshvara Khasarpana Sadhanam (page 46)
24. Khasarpana Lokeshvara Sadhanam (page 54)
26. Khasarpana Sadhanam (page 68)
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Jeff Watt 6-2015 [updated 3-2017, 9-2018, 8-2021]
Lotsawa House: Avalokiteshvara
