The Iconography of Nepalese Buddhism

e objects of inner refuge are Gurus, Istadevas and
Dakinis. ey will be described in a more elaborative way
in subsequent chapters. And the secret refuge according to
Vajrayana tradition is to realize Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya
and Nirmanakaya.
A.2 Karma & Its Effect
e main teachings of the Buddha constitute the Law of Cause
and Effect. Although all the beings in samsara seek joy and
shun sufferings they are ignorant of the cause of happiness
or sorrow. In fact, the happiness and suffering of the sentient
beings are the results of their own virtuous or non-virtuous
actions.
Guru Suvarnadvipa of Indonesia once told Atisha
Dipamkara, “Until you attain freedom from the delusion of
ego-grasping, follow the Law of Cause and Effect.”
With the purpose of creating fear in the minds of people
from indulging in non-virtuous acts and understanding
the essence of defilements, various wrathful images are being
manifested by the enlightened beings specifically in Vajrayana
tradition.
A.3 Tathagatagarbha (Buddha-nature)
All sentient beings possess Buddha-nature which means primordial
wakefulness free from thought constructs present in
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