#Nepal’s energy

[nepalenergyforum]

Successful India Visit Boosts Nepal's Energy Sector: Insights from Water Resources Minister Deepak Khadka

Kathmandu, Nov 6: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Deepak Khadka has said that his visit to India was successful for the development of Nepal’s energy sector. Minister Khadka, who returned home this evening after participating in the International Solar Alliance Conference held in New Delhi, told a press conference held at Tribhuvan International Airport that there was a…

[frog-thief]

"once a ordinary monk picked up a lonely and lost sparrow"

[karlyuchka]

Draw a Countryhuman!

First Makhnovshchina and UPR countryhumans art?

[originalbuddhas]

Dakini – Spiritual Form of Energy in Vajrayana

Vajrayana Buddhism, a complex and multifaceted branch of Buddhism, presents the Dakini as a critical figure symbolizing spiritual energy and liberation. Traditionally depicted as a female riding a white fox, Dakini embodies the teaching that appearances can be misleading and that inner essence holds significance. This concept underscores the principle in Vajrayana Buddhism that external appearances do not define the true nature of beings or phenomena. Read more at: Dakini – Spiritual Form of Energy in Vajrayana (originalbuddhas.com)

[jobsnotices]

Assistant Engineer Jobs at Green Energy and Infrastructure Company

Assistant Engineer Jobs at Green Energy and Infrastructure Company. Interested and Qualified candidates can apply via email. JOB OPPORTUNITY  Assistant Engineer Jobs at Green Energy and Infrastructure Company Green Energy and Infrastructure Company is highly innovative newer clean energy company working for the development of green energy for Nepal. GEIC is seeking qualified candidates for the…

[afeelgoodblog]

The Best News of Last Month - August 2024

1.Negative Power Prices Hit Europe as Renewable Energy Floods the Grid

European power markets are experiencing a notable shift as renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar, become a larger part of the energy mix. On Wednesday, power prices in several European markets, including Germany, dipped below zero due to a surge in green electricity production.

2. Taiwan introduces ban on performances by captive wild animals

Live performances by wild animals held in captivity, including performances by dolphins, tigers, and other non-domesticated mammals, will no longer be permitted in Taiwan under new Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) regulations.

3. FTC bans fake online reviews, inflated social media influence; rule takes effect in October

The FTC voted unanimously to ban marketers from using fake reviews, such as those generated with AI technology, and other misleading advertising practices.

The ban also forbids marketers from exaggerating their own influence by, for example, paying for bots to inflate their follower count.

4. Chinese drones will fly trash out of Everest slopes

Come autumn, Nepal will deploy heavy lifter drones to transport garbage from the 6,812-metre tall Ama Dablam, south of Everest. This will be the first commercial work an unmanned aerial vehicle does in Nepal’s high-altitude zone.

The heavy lifter from China’s biggest drone maker, Da Jiang Innovations (DJI), will take on tasks traditionally handled by Sherpas. Officials believe it will help reduce casualties on Everest.

5. Swiss scientists have found a way to use the whole cocoa fruit to make chocolate and not just taking beans and discarding the rest.

Kim Mishra (L) and Anian Schreiber (R) cooperated on the new chocolate making process

Food scientists in Switzerland have come up with a way to make chocolate using the entire cocoa fruit rather than just the beans - and without using sugar.

The chocolate, developed at Zurich’s prestigious Federal Institute of Technology by scientist Kim Mishra and his team includes the cocoa fruit pulp, the juice, and the husk, or endocarp.

6. Six-year-old boy found in Vietnam forest after five days

A six-year-old boy who was missing for five days has been found deep in a forest in Vietnam. Dang Tien Lam, who lives in the northwestern Yen Bai province, was playing in a stream with his nine siblings on 17 August when he wandered into the hills and got lost, local reports said.

He was found on Wednesday by local farmers who heard a child's cry while they were clearing a cinnamon field close to the forest.

7. Lego plans to make half the plastic in bricks from renewable materials by 2026

Lego plans to make half the plastic in its bricks from renewable or recycled material rather than fossil fuels by 2026, in its latest effort to ensure its toys are more environmentally friendly.

The Danish company last year ditched efforts to make bricks entirely from recycled bottles because of cost and production issues. At the moment, 22% of the material in its colourful bricks is not made from fossil fuels.

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That's it for this month :)

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[sgdesigns-photos]

#nepal #friends #family #goodvibes #positivevibes #freeflowing #element #mountains #himalayas #himalayan #sanathana #shivratri #mustang #muktinath #ritual #gathering #energy #flow #crew #ontheroad #roadtrip #collective #collectiveeffort #now #life #live #free #liberation #mind #body (at Nepal Pokhra) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpopdW2ofjQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[sanskritifarms]

𝐔𝐌𝐃 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐦𝐩 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 . The 2023 Winter Amp Travel Team arrived at Sanskriti Farms on January 5th. The team, composed of 10 Global STEWARDS fellows and led by Dr. Rianna Murray and Mr. Maurice Rocque, is in Nepal to learn about FEW nexus issues and the local solutions implemented to ensure future food and water security. . Here are some best shots taken by the students during their stay at Phoolbari Homestay and Namobuddha hike. . #organicfarming #nepal #travelgram #traveling #knowledge #homestayinnepal #phoolbarihomestay #sustainablefarming #experience #sanskritifarms #healthylifestyle #fewnexus #food #energy #water #reuse #recycle #universityofmaryland (at Phoolbari Homestay) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnQcmv7IoLU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[rrcraft-and-lore]

In addition to my Monkey Man post from earlier, the always kind & sweet Aparna Verma (author of The Phoenix King, check it out) asked that I do a thread on Hijras, & more of the history around them, South Asia, mythology (because that's my thing), & the positive inclusion of them in Monkey Man which I brought up in my gushing review.

Hijra: They are the transgender, eunuch, or intersex people in India who are officially recognized as the third sex throughout most countries in the Indian subcontinent. The trans community and history in India goes back a long way as being documented and officially recognized - far back as 12th century under the Delhi Sultanate in government records, and further back in our stories in Hinduism. The word itself is a Hindi word that's been roughly translated into English as "eunuch" commonly but it's not exactly accurate.

Hijras have been considered the third sex back in our ancient stories, and by 2014 got official recognition to identify as the third gender (neither male or female) legally. Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and India have accepted: eunuch, trans, intersex people & granted them the proper identification options on passports and other government official documents.

But let's get into some of the history surrounding the Hijra community (which for the longest time has been nomadic, and a part of India's long, rich, and sometimes, sadly, troubled history of nomadic tribes/people who have suffered a lot over the ages. Hijras and intersex people are mentioned as far back as in the Kama Sutra, as well as in the early writings of Manu Smriti in the 1st century CE (Common Era), specifically said that a third sex can exist if possessing equal male and female seed.

This concept of balancing male/female energies, seed, and halves is seen in two places in South Asian mythos/culture and connected to the Hijra history.

First, we have Aravan/Iravan (romanized) - who is also the patron deity of the transgender community. He is most commonly seen as a minor/village deity and is depicted in the Indian epic Mahabharata. Aravan is portrayed as having a heroic in the story and his self-sacrifice to the goddess Kali earns him a boon.

He requests to be married before his death. But because he is doomed to die so shortly after marriage, no one wants to marry him.

No one except Krishna, who adopts his female form Mohini (one of the legendary temptresses in mythology I've written about before) and marries him. It is through this union of male, and male presenting as female in the female form of Mohini that the seed of the Hijras is said to begun, and why the transgender community often worships Aravan and, another name for the community is Aravani - of/from Aravan.

But that's not the only place where a gender non conforming divine representation can be seen. Ardhanarishvara is the half female form of lord Shiva, the destroyer god.

Shiva combines with his consort Parvarti and creates a form that represents the balancing/union between male/female energies and physically as a perfectly split down the middle half-male half-female being. This duality in nature has long been part of South Asian culture, spiritual and philosophical beliefs, and it must be noted the sexuality/gender has often been displayed as fluid in South Asian epics and the stories. It's nothing new.

Many celestial or cosmic level beings have expressed this, and defied modern western limiting beliefs on the ideas of these themes/possibilities/forms of existence.

Ardhanarishvara signifies "totality that lies beyond duality", "bi-unity of male and female in God" and "the bisexuality and therefore the non-duality" of the Supreme Being.

Back to the Hijra community.

They have a complex and long history. Throughout time, and as commented on in the movie, Monkey Man, the Hijra community has faced ostracization, but also been incorporated into mainstream society there. During the time of the Dehli Sultanate and then later the Mughal Empire, Hijras actually served in the military and as military commanders in some records, they were also servants for wealthy households, manual laborers, political guardians, and it was seen as wise to put women under the protection of Hijras -- they often specifically served as the bodyguards and overseers of harems. A princess might be appointed a Hijra warrior to guard her.

But by the time of British colonialism, anti-Hijra laws began to come in place folded into laws against the many nomadic tribes of India (also shown in part in Monkey Man with Kid (portrayed by Dev Patel) and his family, who are possibly

one of those nomadic tribes that participated in early theater - sadly by caste often treated horribly and relegated to only the performing arts to make money (this is a guess based on the village play they were performing as no other details were given about his family).

Hijras were criminalized in 1861 by the Indian Penal Code enforced by the British and were labeled specifically as "The Hijra Problem" -- leading to an anti-Hijra campaign across the subcontinent with following laws being enacted: punishing the practices of the Hijra community, and outlawing castration (something many Hijra did to themselves). Though, it should be noted many of the laws were rarely enforced by local Indian officials/officers. But, the British made a point to further the laws against them by later adding the Criminal Tribes Act in 1871, which targeted the Hijra community along with the other nomadic Indian tribes - it subjected them to registration, tracking/monitoring, stripping them of children, and their ability to sequester themselves in their nomadic lifestyle away from the British Colonial Rule.

Today, things have changed and Hijras are being seen once again in a more positive light (though not always and this is something Monkey Man balances by what's happened to the community in a few scenes, and the heroic return/scene with Dev and his warriors). All-hijra communities exist and sort of mirror the western concept of "found families" where they are safe haven/welcoming place trans folks and those identifying as intersex.

These communities also have their own secret language known as Hijra Farsi, which is loosely based on Hindi, but consists of a unique vocabulary of at least 1,000 words.

As noted above, in 2014, the trans community received more legal rights.

Specifically: In April 2014, Justice K. S. Radhakrishnan declared transgender to be the third gender in Indian law in National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India.

Hijras, Eunuchs, apart from binary gender, be treated as "third gender" for the purpose of safeguarding their rights under Part III of our Constitution and the laws made by the Parliament and the State Legislature. Transgender persons' right to decide their self-identified gender is also upheld and the Centre and State Governments are directed to grant legal recognition of their gender identity such as male, female or as third gender.

I've included some screenshots of (some, not all, and certainly not the only/definitive reads) books people can check out about SOME of the history. Not all again. This goes back ages and even our celestial beings/creatures have/do display gender non conforming ways.

There are also films that touch on Hijra history and life. But in regards to Monkey Man, which is what started this thread particularly and being asked to comment - it is a film that positively portrayed India's third sex and normalized it in its depiction. Kid the protagonist encounters a found family of Hijras at one point in the story (no spoilers for plot) and his interactions/acceptance, living with them is just normal. There's no explaining, justifying, anything to/for the audience. It simply is. And, it's a beautiful arc of the story of Kid finding himself in their care/company.

[etherfabric]

Directions from Your Higher Self

Choose a pile by which picture you resonate with the most.

If your mind is too busy to clearly decide, take a few deep breaths, and use the finger of your non-dominant hand to hover over the images. One will give off the most subtle yet prominent signals, like tingles, a magnetic pull, or temperature. This is your pile. Multiples are also possible.

Pile 1

The Star, The Moon

You started to believe in miracles, and are now scared shitless. No small expectations keeping you safe from disappointment anymore. You got a taste of what magic feels like, and now fear dullness like the plague. Two things: You are allowed to have boring days, that doesn't mean the magic is gone. It can't be Christmas everyday. You would get sick of the lights eventually, believe me. And the other thing: That's why they say that victimhood can be a kind of safety blanket. If you already expect only crap from life, there is no horrible suspense anymore. But now... you can't go back. Even if you try it.

This is an icky phase of metamorphosis. It's normal that it feels disorienting and like you can't make sense of anything anymore. Do soothing stuff, calming habits, be around safe people. And spoiler: This is about embracing your humanity in a whole new depth. Don't worry, it will feel supernatural again soon enough. But for now, practice being plain, while also weaving your belief in miracles into it. Challenging, yes, but nothing you can't handle. You got this.

Pile 2

The Moon, 3 of Pentacles

Nothing you put energy or effort into seems to yield anything. It feels like punching in slowmotion, nightmarish. Hitting no one who needs to feel your hits. Newsflash: This is not a time for work! Get soft, dammit. You can't experience rest while still trying to prove something. No one is watching. You are being your own cruel audience, and boo yourself into despair. What are you aiming at? Who convinced you that particular thing is the sole hope for you to be happy ever again?

I love you, you are me, I am you, but I can't let you go on like this. Not with what lies ahead of us. If you only knew how easy things will get. How many fears will never come true. How much lighter you could afford to be. How much love you already deserve. But you have to dare opening your arms, and put the tools down. The monuments you try to erect are aimed at Gods you won't believe in anymore once you experience your feminine side as a gift, and not a curse. Grindset? Grind your teeth while napping, if you have to. But this is bigger than your egotistical, temporal ambitions. You need to do it slow, and I won't stop insisting. Because I can see more than you. You will have no choice but trusting me on this one.

Pile 3

The Emperor, The Devil

Have you heard of this awesome thing called "free will"? Let's take that baby for a ride. Use 3 spoons for the same meal. Lie on the floor of your hallway and recite a song. Buy a stranger a magazine about trains. Take a pair of scissors to your least favorite shirt. Name your nail polishes after famous people. The possibilities are literally endless, but yet you rotate the same 7 things. They will stay ready for when you need them next, but let's shake it up a little, huh? No wonder you feel trapped and stuck. But YOU make the rules, at the end of the day. Yes, there are outer limitations you have no influence over, but even in a literal cage, you can decide what you think, or how you sit, or what notes you hum, or what shadow figures you make with your hands.

The thing itself is meaningless - it's about you experiencing being a CREATOR. Not just a servant to others. I don't care if it's throwing a paper plane into your bathtub, or quitting your job and disappearing to Nepal - but we crave novelty and agency. Deeply. Break the self-imposed limits, any of them. Just to feel what it feels like. It's more rewarding than you imagine.

Pile 4

The Hanged Man, 2 of Cups

Oh shucks. You like someone. It happened. And you can't cancel it willynilly. Suppression has run its course, and now you have to face the embarrassment of having a heart with a need to connect and love. This has completely ruined your illusion of sovereignty you so deeply depended on to feel safe in the world. What now? Where will it lead? What does it mean? What will happen next? Do they like me? Do they think of me? Do they think of me badly? Why do I think about them? Is this me being brave, or pathetic? Is there a true difference?...

The questions don't stop, and you know what - they shouldn't. This is less about the "result" of this connection (I know, boo me, because this is your hyperfixation above all, despite not ever admitting it) and more about getting you out of your shell to be curious about yourself again. The heart needs to be open, and these fears and doubts have been there for a long time already. You are ready to face them, examine them, and learn more about yourself than any flavour of aloofness could ever teach you. I know you hate it, but I can also see the faint giggly twinkle in your soul from up here, buried under all this denial and acting tough. And that's the most scary part for you. That you actually like someone, like, in THAT way. How scary that life has no guarantees, but coming to peace with that truth will serve you much more than any relationship ever could.

[nepalenergyforum]

Nepal Electricity Authority Awards 960 MW Solar Project in Latest Auction

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) recently concluded its latest auction round, awarding contracts for a total of 960 MW of grid-connected solar power projects to various developers. The tender had initially been floated for 800 MW capacity. Among the largest winners, the GEPPERT-RAPTI Consortium secured ten projects with a combined capacity of 125 MW, each awarded at a tariff of NPR5.49/kWh.…

[zvaigzdelasas]

With a history of short-term governments in Nepal’s 15 years of democratic progression, the current reconfiguration is no surprise, and it will be no surprise if the Maoists get back again with the Nepali Congress in months and years to come.

Power sharing, political discontent, ideological differences, underperformance, and pressure to restore Nepal to a Hindu state – a long list of reasons reportedly forced the Maoists to sever ties with the Nepali Congress. While the Nepali Congress expected the Maoist leader and current prime minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal (also known by his nom de guerre, Prachanda) to leave the alliance, it did not expect an overnight turnaround. [...]

Dahal reportedly conveyed to the Nepali Congress chair, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, that external pressure forced him to join hands with CPN-UML and form a new government.

If this assertion is true, China emerges as a plausible factor, given its historical inclination toward forging alliances with leftist parties in Nepal. This notion gains credence in light of China’s past efforts, such as its unsuccessful attempt in 2020 to mediate the conflict between Oli and Dahal.

On the other hand, India has enjoyed a comfortable working relationship with the Nepali Congress and the Maoists. Although Maoists were a challenging party for New Delhi to get along with when Dahal first gained the prime minister’s seat in 2008, the two have come a long way in working together. However, the CPN-UML has advocated closer ties with the northern neighbor China; Beijing suits both their ideological requirements and their ultra-nationalistic outlook – which is primarily anti-India. [...]

India faces challenges in aligning with the Left Alliance for two key reasons. First, the energy trade between Nepal and India has grown crucial over the past couple of years. However, India strictly purchases power generated through its own investments in Nepal, refusing any power produced with Chinese involvement. With the CPN-UML now in government, Nepal may seek alterations in this arrangement despite the benefits of power trade in reducing its trade deficit with India.

Second, India stands to lose the smooth cooperation it enjoyed with the recently dissolved Maoist-Congress coalition. During the dissolved government, the Nepali Congress held the Foreign Ministry, fostering a favorable equation for India. Just last month, Foreign Minister N.P. Saud visited India for the 9th Raisina Dialogue, engaging with top Indian officials, including his counterpart, S. Jaishankar.

As concerns arise for India regarding the Left Alliance, there is also potential for shifts in the partnership between Nepal and the United States, a significant development ally. Particularly, there may be a slowdown in the implementation of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) projects. Despite facing domestic and Chinese opposition, the Nepali Parliament finally approved a $500 million MCC grant from the United States in 2022, following a five-year delay.

China perceives the MCC as a component of the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific strategy, countering its BRI. Hence Beijing aims to increase Chinese loans and subsidies to Nepal to enhance its influence.

To conclude, the re-emergence of Nepal’s Left Alliance signals a shift in power dynamics, impacting domestic politics and regional geopolitics. With China’s influence growing, Nepal’s foreign policy may tilt further toward Beijing, challenging India’s interests. This shift poses challenges for India, particularly in trade and diplomatic relations, while also affecting Nepal’s partnerships with other key players like the United States.

[[The Author,] Dr. Rishi Gupta is the assistant director of the Asia Society Policy Institute, Delhi]

6 Mar 24

[realcleverscience]

"More than 99.7 per cent of electricity in Albania, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Iceland, Nepal, Paraguay and the Democratic Republic of Congo comes from geothermal, hydro, solar or wind power.

Norway came close with 98.38 per cent of its energy from wind, water or solar, according to the data compiled by Stanford University Professor Mark Jacobson.

Another 40 countries got at least half of their electricity from renewables in 2021 and 2022 including 11 in Europe. Others, like Germany or Portugal, are capable of running on 100 per cent wind, water and solar for short amounts of time."

[jobsnotices]

Driver Jobs at AEPC | Govt Job in Nepal

Driver Jobs at AEPC | Govt Job in Nepal. Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC) has announced application for Driver for permanent post in open competition. Read this article till the end to apply. CAREER OPPORTUNITY Driver Jobs at AEPC | Govt Job in Nepal Note : Simply, we shares national and international job opportunity through this website for the educational and informational purpose…

[adviceformefromme]

What is being called in this month vs whats being left behind:

Not only is it a new month, but also a change in seasons, the perfect opportunity to reflect and realign. 

What’s going out: 

Social Media: Just imagine how liberating it feels to finally be done with checking your phone? To no longer loose precious hours of your life, scrolling. Deleting the apps and not being part of the crowd feels so freeing and exclusive, like you just went to pilates, received a gorgeous bunch of flowers, and copped a new dress for your Thailand trip…and it’s all for you. Life feels so much more personal. No one else in your business. No fronting, no taking 20 shots to get the perfect one to post. No comparing your life to others. There is no extra energy being directed at you because you no longer partaking in the circus. 

Rushing & Stressing: It might seem unimportant to highlight this fact, but the stress on your body from constantly rushing and panicking can actually cause sickness. The stress hormones in your body go into overdrive, and overtime this can cause serious harm. Besides that who wants to be that rushed, stressed out woman? Is she who you aspire to be? If not, what shifts do you need to make so your day is better organised? This new season is replacing stress with peace.

Subscribing to a life that is not in alignment: You know in your heart what you love, the environments that nurtures you, the weekends that fill your heart. But somehow...you choose to live a life that rejects your hearts desires. You settle. Why waste your life, going to pubs and drinking when you really want to be sipping herbal teas and hiking mountains on the weekend? Why subscribe to an office job because everyone else is when you really want to be volunteering for a charity in Nepal? The power is in your choice. The change may not happen overnight. But the change needs to happen, to be in motion. Saying no to what doesn’t feel right in your life, will create new space for what truly sets your soul on fire. 

What’s coming in:

Nourishment on a whole new level: It’s always sickness that causes us to really value health. But, why wait. Investing in your health to ensure you feel at your very best will benefit you in ways you can only dream of. You sleep better, your skin is brighter, your levels of respect for yourself are so much higher because you are FULLY invested in your wellbeing. You make smarter food shopping choices, you educate yourself about what nourishes you. You carve out time to listen to your body. What does it need? What needs to be healed? Boys, drama, gossip? No time for that, you are too busy reading up on Ayurvedic medicine and at your yoga class. You deeply love yourself, and it shows through your levels of self-nourishment.

Strong boundaries with the people in your life: That emotionally unstable friend that dumps all her traumas, worries, stress on you to the point that it's effecting your energy. Create a boundary. The guy you went on a date with that keeps yo-yoing in and out of your life. Create a boundary. The other friend that keeps cancelling last minute, create a boundary. The difficult thing about boundaries, is that often we have never been taught how to make them. What does it even look like to tell someone they are SEVERELY affecting your day, your mood, your entire life without raging or hiding in a corner? Learning what your needs are is a good starting point. What do I need from this person? You have all the answers within. Learn better boundaries, so people around you don’t get the better of you.  

Carving out time for soul passions: Life will be life, the day will be filled with the usual, work, study, cleaning, eating, washing, seeing people. But what about you? What about that little fire inside you that needs some kindling? It might need you to start writing, to maybe wake up a little earlier so you can carve out an hour to pour into your passions. The more you do this, the more the fire inside you will grow, you are feeding your soul, you’ll feel better, and the guilt of not listening to your inner voice will no longer haunt you. There’s no more sleeping on yourself, this season is for the soul. 

[talonabraxas]

Vajravarahi and Chakrasamvara.

Chakrasamvara – Enlightenment

Karma Gadri style.

Newar Buddhism: Embracing Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi

Newar Buddhism, a unique form of Vajrayana Buddhism practiced primarily in Nepal, is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious tapestry of the Newar people. This tradition prominently features the worship of deities such as Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi, who are revered in the esoteric practices of Tibetan Buddhism as well. In Newar Buddhism, these deities are not just symbolic representations but are considered to be powerful guides towards spiritual enlightenment. The Bajracharya Buddhists, a prominent Newar Buddhist community, engage in intricate rituals and dedicated prayers to these deities, viewing them as pivotal in their spiritual journey. These practices underscore the rich and diverse nature of Vajrayana Buddhism in Nepal, highlighting its unique integration of local beliefs and practices.

Bridging Worlds: Bajracharya Buddhism and Its Tibetan Connection

At its core, Bajracharya Buddhism shares a profound connection with Tibetan Buddhism. This bond is most evident in their mutual reverence for deities like Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi. Both traditions immerse themselves in a rich tapestry of rituals and teachings, illustrating a shared spiritual lineage that transcends geographical boundaries.

The Essence of Chakrasamvara Tantra

The Chakrasamvara Tantra, a pivotal text in the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition, represents a profound and intricate spiritual system that transcends mere religious doctrine. It embodies the essence of tantric practice, offering a path to enlightenment through the integration of mind, body, and spirit. This ancient scripture, revered for its depth and complexity, guides practitioners in a transformative journey toward spiritual awakening, harmonizing the seemingly paradoxical elements of mundane existence with the ultimate pursuit of spiritual liberation. It stands as a beacon of enlightenment, emphasizing the union of wisdom and method, and is central to the practices centered around the deities Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi, symbolizing the male and female aspects of divine energy and consciousness.

Chakrasamvara: The Supreme Deity

Chakrasamvara, the male deity, in Sanskrit चक्रसंवर, as his name translates to “Circle of Bliss”, embodies the union of compassion and wisdom. With a striking appearance characterized by his calmer face and twelve arms, each holding a unique attribute, Chakrasamvara symbolizes the conquest of desires and ego. He teaches his devotees the path of transcending ordinary existence by embracing the profound wisdom of emptiness and the blissful nature of reality. Worshippers of Chakrasamvara engage in practices that symbolize the transcendence of earthly desires and the attainment of a higher state of being.

He is typically depicted with a powerful and commanding presence, featuring four faces, each expressing a different aspect of enlightenment, and twelve arms, symbolizing the conquering of various spiritual obstacles. His blue-hued body, often in a dynamic dance posture, represents the limitless sky and the vastness of Buddhist teachings, while his embrace with his consort, Vajravarahi, illustrates the inseparable nature of wisdom and compassion in the path to enlightenment.

Vajravarahi: The Radiant Companion

Vajravarahi, the female deity, in Sanskrit वज्रवाराही, often referred to as Vajrayogini (वज्रयोगिनी), is the radiant consort of Chakrasamvara. She represents the embodiment of wisdom and the transformative power of feminine energy. Vajravarahi is revered as a guide who leads her devotees towards a state of pure awareness, free from the entanglements of the mundane world.

Her red body and fierce expression symbolize her ability to cut through ignorance and attachments. Her form, skull cup filled with blood and curved knife, resonates with deep symbolism, representing the transcendence of earthly attachments and the cutting through of ego and illusion. Vajravarahi epitomizes the female principle of enlightenment, merging fierce strength with transcendent wisdom.

Recognizing Charasamvara and Vajravarahi

To recognize Chakrasamvara and Vajrabarahi, it’s important to note that Chakrasamvara is depicted in blue, with multiple heads and arms, and a calmer expression. He is shown embracing the red Vajrabarahi (Vajrayogini), characterized by a single head and standard arms and legs, representing feminine strength.

Concluding Reflections: Embracing the Path of Enlightenment

In conclusion, Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi stand as beacons in the Bajracharya Buddhist traditions, guiding followers towards spiritual awakening. Their teachings, rooted in the ancient Chakrasamvara Tantra, continue to inspire and enlighten those on the path to enlightenment. These deities, with their profound symbolism and transformative practices, remind us of the endless potential within each individual to transcend the mundane and achieve a state of higher consciousness. Their enduring presence in the Agama prayer room is a testament to the timeless journey of spiritual discovery and enlightenment.