Vajrayogini

Vajrayoginī is a tantric deity with no counterpart in Mahāyana Buddhism. She is a ḍakiṇī - literally a "sky-dancer", and figuratively a wild spirit who dances ecstatically in the clear blue sky of śunyata. She is usually depicted as blood red in colour, naked except for elaborate ornaments of human bone, and a necklace of skulls, corresponding to the sixteen vowels and thirty-four consonants of the Sanskrit alphabet, and symbolising the purification of speech. In her right hand she holds a flaying knife with a vajra handle - a vajra-chopper - which she uses to cut off attachments. In her left hand is a skull cup filled with mahāsukha (the great bliss) which she pours out like wine to her devotees. In the crook of her left arm she cradles a khatvanga or magic staff. Her iconography is rich and multifaceted.

Practices and mantras associated with Vajrayoginī are often considered secret - although the mantras are now widely published. Many traditional practitioners are uncomfortable with this breaking of the traditional secrecy around these pracices.

Short Mantra

Siddhaṃ

Vajrayogini mantra in the Siddham script

Tibten - Uchen

Vajrayogini mantra in the Tibetan Uchen script

Transliteration

oṃ va jra yo gi nī hūṃ pha ṭ svā hā

oṃ vajrayoginī hūṃ phaṭ svāhā


Long Mantra

This mantra is one that I have received several inquiries about, questioning the wisdom of making it available. I am sympathetic to these concerns. This mantra is from the Anuttara Yoga Tantra - the most esoteric and generally speaking most secret level of Tibetan Buddhism. While the lower (or outer) Tantras are often treated as open and accessible to the public, many people consider this mantra to be "secret". It is something of an open secret however as there are several books which reveal it, and many internet sites. Andy Weber, a very well known Western practitioner of Tibetan artistic traditions, has made the mantra into a postcard.

In the Western Buddhist Order we do not necessarily approach mantra on the terms of Tibetan Tantric Buddhism - I am working on an account of this approach but it is not yet ready. That said, Dharmacari Vessantara, our foremost authority on these matters, has been one of those expressing misgivings. At present I am inclined to leave the mantra here, but will entertain further feedback, and leave open the possibility of removing it.

From traditional point of view this mantra should be used under the guidance of a qualified teacher. Especially if you are involved in a Tibetan Tradition you should consult your Buddhist teacher if you want to use this mantra in your practice. Vajrayoginī practices require specific initiations and carry heavy samaya vows.

Siddhaṃ

Vajrayogini mantra in the Siddham script

Transliteration

oṃ oṃ oṃ sa rva bu ddha
ḍa ki ṇī ye va jra va
rna nī ye va jra vai ro
ca nī ye hūṃ hūṃ hūṃ pha
ṭ pha ṭ pha ṭ svā hā


oṃ oṃ oṃ sarvabuddhaḍakiṇīye vajra varnanīye vajra vairocanīye hūṃ hūṃ hūṃ phaṭ phaṭ phaṭ svāhā


ॐ ॐ ॐ सर्वबुद्धडकिणीये वज्र वर्ननीये वज्र वैरोचनीये हूं हूं हूं फट् फट् फट् स्वाहा


Notes

I'm still researching the origins of the short mantra, i.e. the one used in the Western Buddhist Order

A lot more information about Vajrayogini can be found on the vajrayogini.com website.