Kagyupa: Wrathful Protector Devoted to the Kagyu Lineage

SKT. Mahākāla Bernagchen(महाकाल) | TIB. ber nag chen(བེར་ནག་ཆེན) | CH. | VIET.

In the Kagyü school of Tibetan Buddhism, Mahākāla
(Tibetan: mGon po) is revered as the primary Dharmapala, or Protector of
the Dharma. While Mahākāla appears in over 70 forms across Tibetan Buddhism,
the Kagyü school—and its sub-sects—maintain unique traditions and iconographies
for this deity, distinct from those of the Sakya and Gelug schools. In the
Kagyü tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, Mahākāla (Tibetan: Gonpo) is
revered not merely as a worldly guardian, but as the wrathful manifestation of Avalokiteśvara
(Chenrezig), the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Mahākāla represents the fierce
energy required to destroy negativity, obstacles, and the perversion of
teachings.

    Bernagchen: The Black-Cloaked Lord

    The most significant and distinct form of Mahākāla withinthe Karma Kagyu lineage is Bernagchen (Tibetan: Ber nag can),known as the Black-Cloaked Mahākāla or the "Black-Gowned One".Bernagchen is described in the Tibetan Book of the Dead commentary ashaving a terrifying and unique physiology: "half of whose body is head andhalf of whose head is mouth. He is often depicted as a squat, dwarf-like figurewearing a great black cloak (Ber), which gives his name.

    • 1. Origins and the Second Karmapa: Unlike many forms of Mahākāla transmitted directly from Sanskrit translations in India, Bernagchen originated from the Nyingma "Revealed Treasure" (Terma) tradition of Tibet.
    • Karma Pakshi's Inheritance: This specific deity was introduced into the Karma Kagyu school by the Second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi (1204–1283). It is recorded that the Karma Kagyu inherited the Bönagchen lineage from Karma Pakshi’s own family, as his father was a tantric priest who practiced in this Nyingma lineage. Consequently, Bernagchen became the personal protector of the Karmapas and the special protector of the Karma Kagyu (Kamtsang) school.

    Other Kagyü Forms
    While Bernagchen is central to the Karma Kagyu, other branches of the Kagyü tradition emphasize different manifestations:
    1. Drukpa Kagyü: The Four-Handed Lord The Drukpa (Dragon) Kagyü school reveres the Four-Handed Mahākāla (Chaturbhuja) as their "semi-official" protecting deity.

    • Lineage: This tradition is traced back to Nagarjuna and passed down through the Drukpa founder Tsangpa Gyare and the scholar Pema Karpo. Thangkas of this deity often depict these lineage masters at the top.
    • Shangpa Kagyu: The Six-Armed Mahākāla (Shadbhuja) was brought to Tibet by Khyungpo Naljor, the founder of the Shangpa Kagyu. This specific form, which is an emanation of Avalokiteshvara, later became popular in the Gelugpa school as well.

    Unique Rituals and Legends
    1. The "Face to Face" Union: A specific and "amazing" visualization in the Karma Kagyu tradition is known as ma-mgon zhal-sbyor ("Mother and Protector Face to Face"). This form originated from a vision of the Second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi. In this union, the dwarf form of Bernagchen is seated upon the lap of the four-armed goddess Palden Lhamo (specifically the form Rangjung Gyalmo), who is seated on her mule. This visualization unites the lineage's primary male and female protectors.
    2. Continuous Worship at Tsurphu and Rumtek: The devotion to Mahākāla in the Karma Kagyu tradition is ceaseless. At Rumtek Monastery (the seat of the Karmapa in exile), Mahākāla is worshiped continuously in the Eastern corner temple, where four monks remain in constant attendance. At Tsurpu Monastery, the historical seat of the Karmapas, specific rites known as Gonpo Dorje Ber Nagpo Chen (The Great Black Vajra Cloak Protector) were performed annually from the twenty-second to the thirtieth days of the twelfth month, involving worship and sacred Lama dances.
    3. The Skull Cup of Wealth: While Mahākāla is a fierce protector, his function extends beyond defense. The skull cup held by Bernagchen is said to contain not only blood but wealth, both spiritual and material, which he grants to sincere practitioners of the teaching.


    References

    1. Karma-gliṅ-pa, Francesca Fremantle, and Chögyam Trungpa. The Tibetan Book of the Dead: The Great Liberation Through Hearing in the Bardo.
    2. Vessantara (Tony McMahon). A Guide to the Deities of the Tantra.
    3. Beyer, Stephan. The Cult of Tara: Magic and Ritual in Tibet.
    4. Douglas, Nik, and Meryl White. Karmapa: The Black Hat Lama of Tibet.
    5. Kalsang, Ladrang. The Guardian Deities of Tibet.
    6. Stablein, William. Healing Image: The Great Black One.
    7. Kossak, Steven M., and Jane Casey Singer. Sacred Visions: Early Paintings from Central Tibet.
    8. Besserman, Perle und Manfred Steger. The Bliss of Inner Fire.
    9. Rana, Dr. Poonam R L. The Sacred Mahakala in the Hindu and Buddhist Texts

      Handmade statues of Kagyupa