Kritik am Buch „The Shadow Of The Dalai Lama ... - Neues von Shi De

The implements of the deity Kalachakra and his consort Vishvamata
Peaceful images of the divine couple are, however, exceptional within the Highest Tantras and in no
way the rule. The majority of the yab–yum representations are of the Heruka type, that is, they show
couples in furious, destructive and violent positions. Above all the Buddha Hevajra and his consort
Nairatmya. Surrounded by eight “burning” dakinis he performs a bizarre dance of hell and is so
intoxicated by his killing instinct that he holds a skull bowl in each of his sixteen hands, in which
gods, humans, and animals are to be found as victims. In her right hand Nairatmya threateningly
swings a cleaver. Raktiamari, Yamantaka, Cakrasamvara, Vajrakila or whatever names the clusters of
pairs from the other tantras may have, all of them exhibit the same striking mixture of aggressiveness,
thanatos, and erotic love.
Likewise, the time god, Kalachakra, is of the heruka type. His wildness is underlined by his vampirelike
canines and his hair which stands on end. The tiger pelt draped around his hips also signalizes his
aggressive character. Two of his four faces are not peaceful, but instead express greed and wrath. But
above all his destructive attitude is emphasized by the symbols which the “Lord of Time” holds in his
twenty-four hands. Of these, six are of a peaceful nature and eighteen are warlike. Among the latter
are the vajra, vajra hook, sword, trident, cleaver, damaru (a drum made from two skull bowls),
kapala (a vessel made out of a human skull), khatvanga (a type of scepter, the tip of which is
decorated with three severed human heads), ax, discus, switch, shield, ankusha (elephant hook),