Garuda: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 06:08, 9 November 2018

**Garudas** are usually represented with a snake in their beak and hands, symbolizing the protection from ophidians and the subjugation of nagas

Garuda (Skt. garuḍa; Tib. ཁྱུང་, khyung, Wyl. khyung) – a mythical bird-like creature which features in both Buddhist and Hindu lore. They also symbolize various elements of the Buddhist path.

Overview

The garuda symbol can have the following meanings:

A mythical creature
One of the four dignities associated with the windhorse
A deity of protection
Our primordial nature

A Mythical Creature

On the outer level, the garuda is a mythical semi-divine bird-like creature that is the enemy of the nagas. It is represented in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions (especially in Tibetan, Cham, Khmer and Javan art). They appear in many tales recounting the Buddha's previous lives, and are said to pay homage to the Buddha. In the Tibetan Vajrayana tradition, the garuda was associated with the khyung, which are important deities of the Bön pantheon, and practised during healing rituals in order to counter certain illnesses provoked by nagas.

One of the Four Dignities

The garuda is also one of the four dignities associated with the windhorse. In this context, the garuda represents the fire element, and it is said to to symbolize freedom from hopes and fears.

Deity of Protection

Garuda is also an important deity of protection. For example:

It is one of the Three Deities of the Great Master Vajrapani
It is depicted above Vajrakilaya in Vajrakilaya thangkas
The practice of Takhyung Barwa combines the practices of Hayagriva, Guru Drakpo, and Garuda.

Our Primordial Nature

In the Dzogchen teachings, the garuda represents our primordial nature. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying says:

The Dzogchen Tantras, the ancient teachings from which the bardo instructions come, speak of a mythical bird, the garuda, which is born fully grown. This image symbolizes our primordial nature, which is already completely perfect. The garuda chick has all its wing feathers fully developed inside the egg, but it cannot fly before it hatches. Only at the moment when the shell cracks open can it burst out and soar into the sky. Similarly, the masters tell us, the qualities of buddhahood are veiled by the body, and as soon as the body is discarded, they will be radiantly displayed. ^[1]

Notes

↑ The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, page 109.

[1] The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, page 109.

[1]

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-'''Garuda''' – one of the [[Four Dignities]], which are mythical animals which represent various aspects of the Bodhisattva attitude.
+[[Image:Garuda_cal.jpg|thumb|325px|'''Garudas''' are usually represented with a snake in their beak and hands, symbolizing the protection from ophidians and the subjugation of nagas]]
+'''Garuda''' (Skt. ''garuḍa''; Tib. ཁྱུང་, ''khyung'', [[Wyl.]] ''khyung'') – a mythical bird-like creature which features in both Buddhist and Hindu lore. They also symbolize various elements of the Buddhist path.
-Garuda symbolizes freedom from hopes and fears, the vast mind without reference point. It is a powerful antidote to the negative influences of Nagas (spirits) which can cause disease and all kinds of harm.
+==Overview==
+The garuda symbol can have the following meanings:
+* A mythical creature
+* One of the [[four dignities]] associated with the [[windhorse]]
+* A deity of protection
+* Our primordial nature
-Garuda is daring and fearless and abides in the north. With great strength and power it soars beyond without holding back.
+===A Mythical Creature===
+On the outer level, the garuda is a mythical semi-divine bird-like creature that is the enemy of the [[naga]]s. It is represented in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions (especially in Tibetan, Cham, Khmer and Javan art). They appear in many [[Jataka|tales recounting the Buddha's previous lives]], and are said to pay homage to the Buddha.  In the Tibetan [[Vajrayana]] tradition, the garuda was associated with the ''khyung'', which are important deities of the [[Bön]] pantheon, and practised during healing rituals in order to counter certain illnesses provoked by nagas.
-Associations: main quality is wisdom, dominance over the sky, and the fire element.
+===One of the Four Dignities===
+The garuda is also one of the [[four dignities]] associated with the [[windhorse]]. In this context, the garuda represents the fire element, and it is said to to symbolize freedom from hopes and fears.
+===Deity of Protection===
+Garuda is also an important deity of protection. For example:
+* It is one of the [[Three Deities of the Great Master Vajrapani]]
+* It is depicted above [[Vajrakilaya]] in Vajrakilaya [[thangka]]s
+* The practice of [[Takhyung Barwa]] combines the practices of [[Hayagriva]], [[Guru Drakpo]], and Garuda.
+===Our Primordial Nature ===
+In the [[Dzogchen]] teachings, the garuda represents our primordial nature. ''[[The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying]]'' says:
+:The Dzogchen [[Tantra]]s, the ancient teachings from which the [[bardo]] instructions come, speak of a mythical bird, the ''garuda'', which is born fully grown. This image symbolizes our primordial nature, which is already completely perfect. The garuda chick has all its wing feathers fully developed inside the egg, but it cannot fly before it hatches. Only at the moment when the shell cracks open can it burst out and soar into the sky. Similarly, the masters tell us, the qualities of [[buddhahood]] are veiled by the body, and as soon as the body is discarded, they will be radiantly displayed. <ref> ''The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying'', page 109. </ref>
+==Further Reading==
+*Robert Beer, ''The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols'' (Boston: Shambhala, 2003), p.74-77
+==Notes==
+<small><references/></small>
 [[Category:Buddhas and Deities]]
 [[Category:Symbols]]
+[[Category:Sanskrit Terms]]