Dharmapala Yamaraja In Buddhism

The terrifying wrathful face of Dharmapala Yamaraja stands on top of a buffalo on the statue of Dharmapala Yamaraja and Chamunda. The buffalo is lying down on a human figure that is at the base of the statue. The figure of Yamaraja is depicted with his hair flaring upwards, his left hand forming the symbol for Vitarka Mudra. The middle of his stomach has a formation of a circle with two inner circles. Small human faces plastered with shocked expressions surround the outside of the circle. His other hand is positioned outwards towards his consort, Chamunda. She is depicted smaller in size compared to Yamaraja. Also, she is positioned facing Yamaraja with her hands positioned upwards. However, her left hand is holding a small red ball. Another …show more content…
The path to the cessation of samsara should be followed to become enlightened and discontinue the endless cycle of samsara. In order to follow the path to the cessation of suffering, one needs to understand what is the origin of suffering. That is a result of the twelve factors of dependent origination. The twelve factors are ignorance, willed action, conditioned consciousness, form and existence, the six sense organs, sense-impression, sensation, craving, becoming, attachment, birth, old age, and death. These twelve aspects are the reasons that blind one from the truth of reality, not allowing one to reach nirvana. By understanding how to remove the defilements and learn compassion from Buddhist practices then suffering can be defeated. On a different note, the statue of Dharmapala Yamaraja and Chamunda is a great reminder of how an individual’s wrongful actions can cause them to be sent to an unpleasant realm. If that is not enough of a reminder then the horrific features of Dharmapala Yamaraja and his reign on the realms are terrifying and should convince one to follow the path of Buddhahood and learn both compassion of wisdom to enable one to see the truth of reality. An individual needs to learn compassion and rule out evil actions if they don’t want to be sent to a brutal hell. Yamaraja also assures to send his messengers of sickness, old age, and death to remind living beings the meaning of impermanence. He does this not so much as a punishment but for beings to learn compassion and diligence. By overcoming pleasure and personal craving one can learn the true identity of the self and reach