The Four Tathagatas are central deities in Yungdrung Bon, representing the most serene figures in this spiritual tradition. These deities are Sangpo Bumtri, Shenlha Okar, Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche, and the Great Compassionate Mother (ཡུམ་ཆེན་མོ་ས་ཏྲིག་ཨེར་སངས།). In this article, we will introduce the first three deities, as the Great Compassionate Mother has been detailed in previous writings.
Sangpo Bumtri: (སྲིད་པ་སངས་པོ་འབུམ་ཁྲི།) The God of World Formation
Sangpo Bumtri is considered by some experts to be the god of world formation. In Bon scriptures, he is described as an emanation of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. His name has different translations: “Geshi Meng Gen” in Shangshung, “Shenrab Mawa Sangye” in Tibetan, and “Manjushri Speech Lion” in Chinese.
Role in Creation of Script
Sangpo Bumtri played a crucial role when Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche created written scripts in the region of Shangshung. He sent his disciple, Yeji Chechu, with the Spadotzo (a box of original scripts), which helped Tonpa Shenrab develop various scripts, including Tibetan.
Appearance and Symbolism
Sangpo Bumtri is depicted with a silver-white body, one face, and two arms. He holds an invincible banner in his right hand, while his left hand rests on his lap. He sits cross-legged on a lotus throne supported by double snow lions. Furthermore, he symbolizes energy and power.
Five Manifestations of Sangpo Bumtri
- Eastern Manifestation: Resides in a white mandala, silver-white body, holding a silver banner, seated on a silver lotus throne.
- Northern Manifestation: Resides in a blue mandala, dark blue body, holding a steel banner, seated on a steel lotus throne.
- Western Manifestation: Resides in a red mandala, red copper body, holding a copper banner, seated on a copper lotus throne.
- Southern Manifestation: Resides in a green mandala, turquoise body, holding a turquoise banner, seated on a turquoise lotus throne.
- Central Manifestation: Resides in a yellow mandala, golden body, holding a golden banner, seated on a golden lotus throne.
Each manifestation of Sangpo Bumtri has fifty emanations, totaling 250 forms, representing different aspects of his power and presence.
Shenlha Okar: (ལྷ་ཆེན་གཤེན་ལྷ་འོད་དཀར།) The Deity of Light
Shenlha Okar, whose name means “Radiant Light,” is a central figure in Yungdrung Bon. He symbolizes purity and compassion, often depicted as a peaceful deity adorned with white robes and emitting a radiant light. Shenlha Okar’s teachings focus on guiding beings towards enlightenment and liberation.
Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche: The Founder of Yungdrung Bon
Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche is the founder of Yungdrung Bon and is regarded with the same reverence as the Buddha in Buddhism. His teachings form the foundation of Bon practices, emphasizing wisdom, compassion, and spiritual development. He is often depicted with serene features, symbolizing his enlightened state and profound wisdom.
The Four Tathagatas of Yungdrung Bon—Sangpo Bumtri, Shenlha Okar, Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche, and the Great Compassionate Mother—represent the core deities of this spiritual tradition. Each deity embodies unique aspects of Bon teachings and offers valuable insights for spiritual practitioners. By understanding these deities, one can gain a deeper appreciation of Yungdrung Bon and its rich spiritual heritage.
Exploring the Deity Shenlha Okar: The White Light Buddha in Yungdrung Bon
Shenlha Okar, known in Shangshung as Chixi Longdi and in Tibetan as Shenlha Okar, translates to “White Light Buddha” in Chinese. In Bon, “Shen” signifies a master engaged in Bon activities, often holding the same meaning as the word “Bon” itself. Shenlha Okar, therefore, is a significant figure in Bon spirituality, embodying the essence of the tradition and revered as a Sambhogakaya Buddha.
The Role and Significance of Shenlha Okar
Shenlha Okar is considered a founding figure of the Great Perfection (Dzogchen) teachings within Bon. Depictions in murals and Thangka paintings show Shenlha Okar with a white body, one face, and two arms. He sits cross-legged on a lotus throne supported by two elephants, with his hands resting on his lap. In the context of the Four Tathagatas, Shenlha Okar is seen holding a compassion iron hook in his right hand, symbolizing his role as the Buddha of Compassion and the protector of all beings.
Manifestations of Shenlha Okar
Shenlha Okar manifests in five different forms, each residing in distinct colored mandalas, representing various aspects of his compassion and power:
- Eastern White Mandala
- Appearance: Silver-white body, holding a silver hook.
- Symbolism: Sits on a lotus throne supported by two silver elephants, representing purity and serenity.
- Northern Blue Mandala
- Appearance: Dark blue body, holding an iron hook.
- Symbolism: Sits on a lotus throne supported by two iron elephants, symbolizing strength and stability.
- Western Red Mandala
- Appearance: Red copper body, holding a copper hook.
- Symbolism: Sits on a lotus throne supported by two copper elephants, representing energy and power.
- Southern Green Mandala
- Appearance: Turquoise body, holding a turquoise hook.
- Symbolism: Sits on a lotus throne supported by two turquoise elephants, symbolizing growth and vitality.
- Central Yellow Mandala
- Appearance: Golden body, holding a golden hook.
- Symbolism: Sits on a lotus throne supported by two golden elephants, representing enlightenment and wisdom.
Each manifestation of Shenlha Okar has fifty emanations, totaling 250 forms. These emanations illustrate his vast influence and presence across different realms.
Shenlha Okar, the White Light Buddha, is a central figure in Yungdrung Bon, embodying compassion, wisdom, and spiritual guidance. Understanding his different manifestations and their symbolism offers a deeper insight into Bon teachings and practices. Shenlha Okar’s role as a protector and guide underscores the profound impact of Bon spirituality on its followers.
Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche: (སྟོན་པ་གཤེན་རབ་མི་བོ།) The Supreme Teacher of Yungdrung Bon
Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche, also known as Zhu Gu Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche, is a central figure in Yungdrung Bon. His name can be broken down as follows: “Zhu Gu” means “emanation,” “Tonpa” means “teacher” or “founder,” “Shen” is a clan name, “Rab” signifies “supreme” or “excellent,” and “Miwoche” means “great man.” Thus, his name represents the highest, most revered teacher of the Shen clan.
The Role of Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche
Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche is one of the three Buddhas revered in Bon and is considered the current Buddha. His status in Bon is akin to that of Shakyamuni in Buddhism. However, their teachings differ significantly. While Shakyamuni emphasized the Hinayana path in India, Tonpa Shenrab focused on the Mahayana path in the region of Shangshung. He taught not only exoteric and esoteric practices but also various religious rituals and the civilization of Shangshung. He is regarded as the founder of the Shangshung Dharma, which is still present in Tibet today.
The Life and Legacy of Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche
In Bon texts, Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche’s life story holds a similar position to Shakyamuni’s in Buddhism, though their biographies differ greatly. Tonpa Shenrab’s teachings and deeds include numerous religious rituals, practices, and the propagation of the Shangshung civilization. His followers believe he undertook twelve major deeds, sixty-two medium deeds, and 108 minor deeds to save sentient beings.
Depiction of Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche
Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche is often depicted with 32 major marks and 82 minor marks of a great being. He possesses 61 types of wisdom and 21 nirvanic qualities, symbolizing his divine nature and boundless capabilities. His image usually shows him with a multicolored body, touching the ground with his right hand while holding the Yungdrung Chakshing, a symbol of Bon’s highest teachings, in his left hand. He sits cross-legged on a lotus throne supported by a Dharma wheel, embodying wisdom and compassion.
Five Manifestations of Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche
Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche manifests in five forms, each residing in different colored mandalas, symbolizing various aspects of his wisdom and guidance:
- Eastern White Mandala
- Appearance: Silver-white body, holding a silver Chakshing.
- Symbolism: Represents purity and serenity, seated on a silver Dharma wheel-supported lotus throne.
- Northern Blue Mandala
- Appearance: Dark blue body, holding an iron Chakshing.
- Symbolism: Symbolizes strength and stability, seated on an iron Dharma wheel-supported lotus throne.
- Western Red Mandala
- Appearance: Red copper body, holding a copper Chakshing.
- Symbolism: Represents energy and power, seated on a copper Dharma wheel-supported lotus throne.
- Southern Green Mandala
- Appearance: Turquoise body, holding a turquoise Chakshing.
- Symbolism: Symbolizes growth and vitality, seated on a turquoise Dharma wheel-supported lotus throne.
- Central Yellow Mandala
- Appearance: Golden body, holding a golden Chakshing.
- Symbolism: Represents enlightenment and wisdom, seated on a golden Dharma wheel-supported lotus throne.
Each of these manifestations of Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche has fifty emanations, totaling 250 forms. These forms symbolize his extensive influence and presence across different realms, embodying various aspects of his wisdom and guidance.
Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche is a central figure in Yungdrung Bon, embodying the highest virtues of wisdom, compassion, and spiritual guidance. Understanding his life, teachings, and various manifestations provides a deeper appreciation of Bon’s rich spiritual heritage. His role as a teacher and guide highlights the profound impact of Bon spirituality on its followers.
