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Mahāmāyūrī Vidyārājñī Altar
Mahāmāyūrī Vidyārājñī Altar
The Mahāmāyūrī Altar is another consecrated sacred space in our outdoor area. The statue of the deity is positioned underneath a tree facing west. In the morning, the sun rises and shines through the tree and its leaves behind the statue while during the golden hours, the setting sun usually lights up the entire open area in front of the altar. In the evening, prayer rituals and chanting practices are done by the sangha in the moonlight.
Mahāmāyūrī Vidyārājñī
Mahāmāyūrī’s sanskrit name means the ‘Great Peacock.’ He rides on a golden King Peacock and has four arms, each holding a lotus, a Bijapūraka (karma fruit), an auspicious fruit, and a peacock tail. The lotus flower represents respect and love, the Bijapūraka represents regulation, the auspicious fruit represents accumulation of merits, and the peacock tail represents alleviation from disasters. Despite being one of the Wisdom Kings, who usually have a wrathful manifested appearance, Mahāmāyūrī is usually portrayed with a benevolent, compassionate, solemn, and calm expression rather than a wrathful one.
Mahāmāyūrī’s Dharma method is extremely effective for protecting the country, alleviating disasters, praying for rain, curing diseases and prolonging life, and giving birth. Nevertheless, the real work is to be performed by us, using this Wisdom King’s guidance for transcendental practice in order to remove the poisons in our heart—greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, and doubt. After that, we may be able to attain the wisdom and compassion of bodhicitta.
To worship Mahāmāyūrī, put your hands together and bow three times, and chant “Ankele” for three or nine times to pray for Mahāmāyūrī’s protection and blessing to help you develop bodhicitta. May the strength of this vow remove your physical and mental obstacles and enlighten you. May your prayer bring prosperous career, wealth, and progress for all beings.
