Trisong Detsen’s Quest for Spiritual Protection
Emperor Trisong Detsen embarked on a mission to the Lake Baikal region to retrieve Protector Pehar Gyalpo for Tibet’s spiritual well-being. The Bhata Hor, Uighur Turks of the Orkhon Uighur Empire, held Pehar’s essence, crucial for summoning his protective powers.
The Essence of Protector Pehar Gyalpo
Protector Pehar Gyalpo, part of the Five Bodily Manifest Kings, was recognized by Padmasambhava for his significance in safeguarding Tibet. The Bhata Hor safeguarded sacred artifacts essential for invoking Pehar’s presence.
Trisong Detsen’s Successor and the Expedition
Emperor Muney-tsenpo, Trisong Detsen’s heir, led the expedition to acquire these artifacts and brought them to Tibet. Installed in Samye, Pehar Gyalpo was bound by oath to protect Tibet, transforming Samye into Nechen, the Great Place.
Mystical Encounters and Manifestations
A mystical incident occurred near Drepung Monastery when a drifting casket revealed Pehar’s presence, setting his spirit free. Over time, Pehar Gyalpo began manifesting as an oracle during the Third Dalai Lama’s reign, later formalized as the State Oracle by the Great Fifth Dalai Lama.
Five Aspects of Protector Pehar Gyalpo
Pehar Gyalpo embodies the activities of the Five Buddhas and manifests in five distinct aspects, each representing unique qualities and depicted with symbolic attributes. His influence extends beyond time, symbolizing spiritual protection and guidance for Tibet.
Appointed as the State Oracle, Pehar Gyalpo’s influence persisted through the establishment of Nechung Monastery, known as the “Nechung Oracle’s” seat. His legacy remains integral to Tibetan spirituality, embodying the essence of protection and guidance for generations to come.
Discovering the Five Aspects of Pehar Gyalpo
Protector Pehar Gyalpo, a revered dharmapala, embodies the essence of the Five Buddhas through his five distinct aspects: Body, Mind, Speech, Knowledge, and Activity. Let’s delve into each aspect to unravel the mystique surrounding this spiritual guardian.
1. Mind Aspect (Tuk ki Gyalpo)
Appearance: A brown hue envelops King Pehar, with a single face and two arms. He grasps a red spear in his right hand, while a double-edged sword and lasso adorn his left. Clad in a bear skin shawl and black turban, he majestically sits atop an elephant amidst blazing flames.
2. Body Aspect (Kui Gyalpo)
Appearance: Pehar’s body aspect exudes a dark blue aura, characterized by a singular face and two arms. His right hand clasps a vajra, with a single cymbal held in his left. Adorned with a round golden cymbal-shaped hat, he rides gallantly upon a black bear.
3. Knowledge Aspect (Yonten kyi Gyalpo)
Appearance: Radiating in black, the knowledge aspect of Pehar features one face and two arms. An axe rests in his right hand, while a demon’s lasso is clutched in his left. Draped in a tiger skin shawl and black snakeskin, he commands a dragon as his noble steed.
4. Speech Aspect (Sung gi Gyalpo)
Appearance: Cloaked in dark brown, the speech aspect presents one face and two arms. A staff adorns his right hand, while a sandalwood club graces his left. Draped in a black robe, he traverses on an iron wolf with regal grace.
5. Activity Aspect (Thinley gyi Gyalpo)
Appearance: The activity aspect emanates a navy blue aura, featuring three faces and six arms. His multifaceted arms wield a hook, arrow, and sword on the right, and a razor-sharp knife, bow, and staff on the left. Adorned in a tipshu, white shawl, and leopard-skin skirt, he commands a snow lion as his noble steed.
Embrace the enigmatic presence of Protector Pehar Gyalpo, whose diverse aspects symbolize the dynamic activities of enlightenment and protection in the realm of spirituality.
Reference: www.khandro.net/deity_wrathful_Pehar.html
