Dipankara

Today I wanted to write about Dipankara, a past buddah whose name means lamp bearer. He is also the protector of merchants. He was the buddah before Siddhārtha Gautama. Dipankara is mainly venerated in Nepal. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipankara?wprov=sfla1

Sita

Today I wanted to write about Sita, a Hindu goddess of beauty and Nepal. She’s the daughter of Bhumi but raised by Janaka. Sita is a consort of Rama (an avatar of Vishnu). She’s the mother of Kusha and Lava. Agni created a Maya Sita, twin sister to Sita, to protect her from the demon

Sitātapatra

Today I wanted to write about Sitātapatra a Buddhist goddess who protects against the supernatural. She is the counterpart to Avalokiteśvara. One of her mantras is: Hum ma ma hum ni svaha Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitatapatra?wprov=sfla1

Dhṛtarāṣṭra

Today I wanted to write about Dhṛtarāṣṭra, a Buddhist Deva of the east and music. Dhṛtarāṣṭra is a member of the Heavenly Kings. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dh%E1%B9%9Btar%C4%81%E1%B9%A3%E1%B9%ADra?wprov=sfla1

Bhima

Today I wanted to write about Bhima, one of Pandava brothers. He’s a son of Vayu and Kunti but was raised by Kunti and Pandu. He’s married to Hidimbi. Bhima killed the sons of Dhritarashtra during war; which lead to a failed attempt on his life. During the Pandava’s pilgrimage to the Himalayas Bhima is

Vajrayakṣa

Today I wanted to write about Vajrayakṣa, a one of the Buddhist wisdom kings, a group of war deities. Vajrayakṣa is a manifestation of Amoghasiddhi. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrayak%E1%B9%A3a?wprov=sfla1

Hārītī

Today I wanted to write about Hārītī, a Buddhist goddess who is the protector of children. Hārītī is a daughter of Prajñāpāramitā Devī. She was born from an act of compassion when the prayers for an abandoned child grew loud enough for Mother Dharma to answer them. Hārītī is the wife of The king of

Nakula

Today I wanted to write about Nakula, one of the five Pandava brothers, a group of Hindu demigods. He is the twin of Sahadeva, they are the sons of the Ashvins and Madri adopted by Pandu and Kunti. Nakula is married to Draupadi. Although he was the fourth Pandava born, he was the third to

Vaiśravaṇa

Today for the Holidays I wanted to write about Vaiśravaṇa, also called Bishamonten, a Buddhist war deity. Vaiśravaṇa is one of the Four Heavenly Kings and one of the Seven Gods of Fortune. Vaiśravaṇa was known to regularly descend to earth to protect Siddhārtha Gautama. His earliest sites of veneration were trees, however now he

Mañjuśrī

Today I wanted to write about Mañjuśrī, a Bodhisattva associated with wisdom. Mañjuśrī is a major divinity in Mahayana buddhism known for leading people to wisdom, notably Longnü, who he helped reach enlightenment. A common mantra of his is: oṃ arapacana dhīḥ. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manjushri?wprov=sfla1

Pushan

Today for spooky season I wanted to write about Pushan, a Hindu psychopomp and solar god also associated with journeys, roads cattle, and marriage. He’s a child of Aditi and Kashyapa. Pushan notably does not have teeth as Shiva kicked him in the face knocking his teeth out and creating Virabhadra. He is thought to

Chitragupta

Today for spooky season I wanted to write about Chitragupta, a Hindu god of the dead. When a human dies Chitragupta will tell Yama their actions during their mortal life so he can choose what afterlife to send them to. He is a son of Brahma. His main mantra is: Oṃ Sri Citraguptaya Namaḥa Sources:

Shiva

Today for spooky season I wanted to write about Shiva, a major Hindu god of destruction, death, medicine, time, yoga, dance, and arts. Shiva is a member of the Trimurti, a group of three brothers (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) who create preserve and destroy the world and when together create Brahman. Shiva is married to

Kali

Today for spooky season I wanted to write about Kali, a Hindu goddess of time, death, and destruction. Kali was born from Durga during war to bring victory. However she brought destruction to all sides until Shiva (her husband) threw himself to the ground to end her rampage. In most Hindu literature Kali is omitted

Acala

Today I wanted to write about Acala, one of the Wisdom kings in Buddhism, who takes a more wrathful approach to Dharma by removing obstacles and destroyi Acala is the messenger of Vairocana. Acala’s worship is most prevalent in Japanese Buddhism where he is often venerated as the Honzon of many temples and shrines. He

Mahākāśyapa

Today I wanted to write about Mahākāśyapa, a Buddhist Bodhisattva who was the first patriarch of the Buddhist council. Mahākāśyapa studied directly under Siddhārtha Gautama and was succeeded by Ānanda as leader of the Buddhist council. He was somewhat adopted by Siddhārtha Gautama, leaving him in charge of the Buddha’s cremation. After the death of

Vritra

Today for Dragon month I wanted to write about Vritra, a serpentine Vedic god of drought. Vritra once held all of the world’s water before being defeated by Indra. He is compared to Typhon, Jörmungandr, and Veles. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vritra?wprov=sfla1

Ānanda

Today I wanted to write about Ānanda, one of the 10 principle disciples in Buddhism. Most primary texts ate said to be written by Ānanda using the memory of Siddhārtha Gautama (The Buddha)‘s teachings. Ānanda was the cousin of Siddhārtha Gautama. Ānanda also founded the Buddhist council. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%80nanda?wprov=sfla1

Aravan

Today for Pride Month I wanted to write about Aravan, a Hindu deity of intersex and trans people. Aravan is the son of Ulupi and Arjuna. He is married to Mohini, the trans-fem aspect of Krishna. Aravan sacrificed himself to Kali to grant victory in war. His main temple is in Koovagam, Tamil Nadu where

Inari Ōkami

Today, for pride, I wanted to write about Inari Ōkami, a genderfluid Kami of rice, fertility, foxes, tea, agriculture, alcohol, merchants, swordsmiths, and success. Inari first descended to Japan in the form of a young woman on a white fox to bring rice to Japan during a famine. Being a shapeshifter, Inari shows up in

Jumadi

Today for Pride Month I wanted to write about Jumadi, an androgynous Hindu god of abundance. Jumadi is of Heavenly origin bit descended to the Tulu Nadu region to receive veneration. Their cult eventually grew to include the Chowta royals. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumadi?wprov=sfla1

Guanyin

Today for Pride Month I wanted to write about Guanyin, an androgynous Buddhist Bodhisattva of mercy, healing, travel, and the protector of fishermen, women and children, among many other things. Guanyin is a child of Miaozhuang Wang who wanted them to marry for money. After years of an unfulfilling marriage, they turned to a life