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Charnel ground

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edit

A Dancing gana, Dashavatara temple,Deogarh

Charnel ground(Devanagari: ; Romanized Sanskrit: mna; Tibetan pronunciation:

durtr;Tibetan:,Wylie:dur khrod)[1]is a very important location forsadhanaand ritualactivity for Indo-Tibetan traditions ofDharmaparticularly those traditions iterated by theTantric

view such asKashmiri Shaivism,Kaulatradition,Esoteric Buddhism,Vajrayana,Mantrayana,

Dzogchen,and thesadhanaofChd,PhowaandZhitro,etc. The charnel ground is also anarchetypalliminalitythat figures prominently in the literature and liturgy and as an artistic motif

in Dharmic Traditions and cultures iterated by the moreantinomianand esoteric aspects of

traditional Indian culture.

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1 Disambiguation, working definition and qualification 2 India 3 Himalayan 'sky burial' 4 Sutrayana and Early Buddhism 5 Charnel ground as a polysemy and metaphor 6 Denizens and pastimes of the charnel ground

o 6.1 Dancingo 6.2 Aghora

7 Sadhana 8 Poetry, song and literature

o 8.1 Baital Pachisi 9 Beyond social convention 10 Vajrayana iconography 11 Padmasambhava 12 Eight great charnel grounds

o 12.1 'The Most Fierce'o 12.2 'Dense Thicket'o 12.3 'Dense Blaze'o 12.4 'Endowed with Skeletons'o 12.5 'Cool Forest'o 12.6 'Black Darkness'o 12.7 'Resonant with "Kilikili"'o 12.8 'Wild Cries of "Ha-ha"'

12.8.1 Charnel ground relics 13 See also 14 References

15 Bibliography

[edit] Disambiguation, working definition and qualification

Though a charnel ground may have demarcated locations within it functionally identified as

burial grounds,cemeteriesandcrematoria,it is distinct from these as well as fromcryptsor

burial vaults.Specifically, a charnel ground is an aboveground site for the putrefaction of bodies,generally human, where formerly living tissue is left to decompose uncovered.

[edit] IndiaThroughoutAncient IndiaandMedieval India,charnel grounds in the form of open air

crematoriumswere historically often located along rivers and many ancient famous charnel sites

are now 'sanitized' pilgrimage sites (Sanskrit:tirtha)and areas of significant domestic incomethrough cultural tourism. However, proper "charnel grounds" can still be found in India,

specially near large rivers banks and areas where abandoned people (without family) are

cremated or simply left to decompose. These areas are often frequented byAghoris,aKapalika
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Disambiguation.2C_working_definition_and_qualificationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Disambiguation.2C_working_definition_and_qualificationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Himalayan_.27sky_burial.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Himalayan_.27sky_burial.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Sutrayana_and_Early_Buddhismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Sutrayana_and_Early_Buddhismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Charnel_ground_as_a_polysemy_and_metaphorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Charnel_ground_as_a_polysemy_and_metaphorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Denizens_and_pastimes_of_the_charnel_groundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Denizens_and_pastimes_of_the_charnel_groundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Dancinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Dancinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Aghorahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Aghorahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Sadhanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Sadhanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Poetry.2C_song_and_literaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Poetry.2C_song_and_literaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Baital_Pachisihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Baital_Pachisihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Beyond_social_conventionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Beyond_social_conventionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Vajrayana_iconographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Vajrayana_iconographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Padmasambhavahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Padmasambhavahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Eight_great_charnel_groundshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Eight_great_charnel_groundshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#.27The_Most_Fierce.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#.27The_Most_Fierce.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#.27Dense_Thicket.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#.27Dense_Thicket.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#.27Dense_Blaze.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#.27Dense_Blaze.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#.27Endowed_with_Skeletons.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#.27Endowed_with_Skeletons.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#.27Cool_Forest.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#.27Cool_Forest.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#.27Black_Darkness.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#.27Black_Darkness.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#.27Resonant_with_.22Kilikili.22.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#.27Resonant_with_.22Kilikili.22.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#.27Wild_Cries_of_.22Ha-ha.22.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#.27Wild_Cries_of_.22Ha-ha.22.27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Charnel_ground_relicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Charnel_ground_relicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#See_alsohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#See_alsohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Bibliographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#Bibliographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cemeteryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cemeteryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cemeteryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crematoriumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crematoriumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crematoriumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial_vault_%28tomb%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial_vault_%28tomb%29http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crematoriumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crematoriumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirthahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirthahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirthahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aghorihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aghorihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aghorihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapalikahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapalikahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapalikahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapalikahttp://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sect, that follows similar meditation techniques, as those thought by the 84Mahasiddhas.A

typical Aghori sadhana (at the charnel ground) lasts for 12 years.

[edit] Himalayan 'sky burial'

In theHimalayawhere tillable topsoil for burial and fuel for cremation is scarce and a valuablecommodity, the location of a so calledsky burialis identified with a charnel ground.

[2]

[edit] Sutrayana and Early Buddhism

In thePali Canondiscourses, the Buddha frequently instructs his disciples to seek out a secluded

dwelling (in a forest, under the shade of a tree, mountain, glen, hillside cave, charnel ground,

jungle grove, in the open, or on a heap of straw).[3]

TheSutrayanatradition of the 'NineCemetery Contemplations' (Pali: nava svathik-manasikra) of theSatipatthana Suttademonstrate that charnel ground meditations were part ofEarly Buddhism.

'Cemetery contemplations', as described inMahasatipatthana Sutta(DN:22) and theSatipahna Sutta(MN:10):

"...have as their objects a corpse one or two or three days old, swollen up, blue-black in colour,

full of corruption; a corpse eaten by crows, etc.; a framework of bones; flesh hanging from it,

bespattered with blood, held together by the sinews; without flesh and blood, but still heldtogether by the sinews; bones scattered in all direction; bleached and resembling shells; heaped

together after the lapse of years; weathered and crumbled to dust. At the end of each of these

contemplations there follows the conclusion: "This body of mine also has this nature, has this

destiny, cannot escape it. Similar are the 10 objects of loathsomeness (asubha q.v.). "[4]

[edit] Charnel ground as a polysemy and metaphor

Whether to make the |reason=mandatory for the {{cleanup}}templateis being discussed. Seethe request for commentto help reach a consensus.

This section may requirecleanupto meet Wikipedia'squality standards.(Consider

usingmore specific cleanup instructions.) Please helpimprove this sectionif you can. The

talk pagemay contain suggestions. (March 2012)

On the face of it or alternatively the cosmetic level, the charnel ground is simply a locality often

chthonicwhere bodies are disposed of, either bycremationorburial.[1]

Though the charnelground is to be understood as a polysemy and metaphor it must be emphasized that holy people

as part of their sadhana and natural spiritual evolution grappling with death, impermanence andtransition did historically in both India, China and Tibet as well as in other localities, frequent

charnel grounds, crematoriums and cemeteries and were often feared and despised by peoplewho did not understand their 'proclivities' (Sanskrit: anusaya).

From a deeper structural significance and getting to the substantive bones of the Vajrayana

spiritual point of view however, the charnel ground is full of profoundtranspersonal

significance. It represents the 'death ofego'(Sanskrit: atmayajna), and the end of:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahasiddhahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahasiddhahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahasiddhahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=3http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_burialhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_burialhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_burialhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-Gold.2C_Peter_1994_p.141-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-Gold.2C_Peter_1994_p.141-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-Gold.2C_Peter_1994_p.141-1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pali_Canonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pali_Canonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pali_Canonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutrayanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutrayanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutrayanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satipatthana_Suttahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satipatthana_Suttahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satipatthana_Suttahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Buddhismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Buddhismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Buddhismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahasatipatthana_Suttahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahasatipatthana_Suttahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahasatipatthana_Suttahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digha_Nikayahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digha_Nikayahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digha_Nikayahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satipa%E1%B9%AD%E1%B9%ADh%C4%81na_Suttahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satipa%E1%B9%AD%E1%B9%ADh%C4%81na_Suttahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majjhima_Nikayahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majjhima_Nikayahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majjhima_Nikayahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=5http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cleanuphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cleanuphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cleanuphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Templatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Templatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Templatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Cleanup#Should_the_reason_parameter_be_made_mandatoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Cleanup#Should_the_reason_parameter_be_made_mandatoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Cleanup#Should_the_reason_parameter_be_made_mandatoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Cleanuphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Cleanuphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Cleanuphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Stylehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Stylehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Stylehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Template_messages/Cleanuphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Template_messages/Cleanuphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Template_messages/Cleanuphttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edithttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edithttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Charnel_groundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Charnel_groundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chthonichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chthonichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cremationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cremationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cremationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burialhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burialhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transpersonal_psychologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transpersonal_psychologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transpersonal_psychologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ego_%28religion%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ego_%28religion%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ego_%28religion%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ego_%28religion%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transpersonal_psychologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burialhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cremationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chthonichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Charnel_groundhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Template_messages/Cleanuphttp://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attachment(Sanskrit:Updna;Tibetan:len pa)to this body and life craving(Sanskrit:T;Tibetan:sred pa)for a body and life in the future fear of death(Sanskrit: abhinivea) aversion(Sanskrit: dvea; Wylie: zhesdang) to the decay of 'impermanence' (Sanskrit:

anitya).[1]

It is worth noting that 'attachment', 'craving', 'fear' and 'aversion' abovecited in bold font are

somewhat standardized and hence less-rich lexical choices for thesemantic fieldrepresented by

the four of the 'Five Poisons' (Sanskrit: panchaklesha)they denote.

Prior to spiritual realization, charnel grounds are to be understood as terrifying places, full of

'roaming spirits' (Sanskrit:gana)and 'hungry ghosts'(Sanskrit:pretas)indeed localities thatincite consuming fear. In a charnel ground there are bodies everywhere in different states of

decomposition: freshly dead bodies, decaying bodies, skeletons and disembodied bones.[1]

Simmer-Brown(2001: p. 127) conveys how the 'charnel ground' experience may present itself in

the modern Westernmindstreamsituations of emotional intensity, protracted peak performance,marginalization and extreme desperation:

"In contemporary Western society, the charnel ground might be a prison, a homeless shelter, the

welfare roll, or a factory assembly line. The key to its successful support of practice is itsdesperate, hopeless, or terrifying quality. For that matter, there are environments that appearprosperous and privileged to others but are charnel grounds for their inhabitants--Hollywood,

Madison Avenue, Wall Street, Washington, D.C. These are worlds in which extreme

competitiveness, speed, and power rule, and the actors in their dramas experience intenseemotion, ambition, and fear. The intensity of their dynamics makes all of these situations ripe for

the Vajrayana practice of the charnel ground."[5]

[edit] Denizens and pastimes of the charnel ground

ShivaasBhairava 'Outcastes' (Sanskrit:Chandala)literally cast out from the castes, outside the

Varnashrama Dharmaof thestatus quo.

[edit]Dancing
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Ganapati, Maha Rakta

Tibetan representations of Ganesha show ambivalent or richly different depictions of him.[6]

Inone Tibetan form he is shown being trodden under foot byMahkala,a popular Tibetandeity.

[6][7]Other depictions show him as the Destroyer of Obstacles, sometimes dancing.

[8]This

play of Ganesha as both the "creator and remover of obstacles" as per hisepithetas well in thetwo Vajrayana iconographic depictions of him as that which consumes (Maha Rakta) and that

which is consumed (danced upon by Vignantaka) is key to the reciprocity rites of the charnel

ground.

Ganapati, Maha Rakta(Tibetan: tsog gi dag po, mar chen. English: The Great Red Lord of Hosts

orGanas)is a Tantric Buddhist form of Ganapati (Ganesha)related to theChakrasamvaraCycle

of Tantras. The Sanskrit term 'rakta' holds thesemantic fieldof "blood" and "red. This form ofGanapati is regarded as an emanation ofAvalokiteshvara.

"...beside a lapis lazuli rock mountain is a red lotus with eight petals, in the middle a blue rat

expelling various jewels, [mounted on his rat 'steed' (Sanskrit:vahana)] Shri Ganapati with a

body red in colour, having an elephant face with sharp white tusks and possessing three eyes,

black hair tied in atopknotwith awishing-gemand a red silk ribbon [all] in a bundle on the

crown of the head. With twelve hands, the six right hold an axe,arrow,hook,vajra,sword andspear. The six left [hold] apestle,bow,khatvanga,skullcupfilled with blood, skullcup filled

with human flesh and a shield together with a spear andbanner.The peaceful right and left handsare signified by the vajra and skullcup filled with blood held to the heart. The remaining hands

are displayed in a threatening manner. Wearing various silks as a lower garment and adorned

with a variety of jewel ornaments, the left foot is extended in a dancing manner, standing in the

middle of the bright rays of red flickering light." (Ngorchen Konchog Lhundrup,1497-1557).[9]
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Vignantaka trampling or dancing upon Vinayaka

This form of Ganapati belongs to a set of three powerful deities known as the 'mar chen kor sum'

or the Three Great Red Deities included in a larger set called 'The Thirteen Golden Dharmas' of

Sakya.The other two deities are Kurukulle and Takkiraja.

In depictions of the six-armed protectorMahakala(Skt: Shad-bhuja Mahakala, Wylie: mGon po

phyag drug pa), an elephant-headed figure usually addressed as Vinayaka is seen being trampledby the Dharma Protector, but he does not appear distressed. InVajrayanaand cognate Buddhist

art, He is depicted as a subdued god trampled by Buddhist deities likeAparajita,Parnasabariand

Vignataka.

The Tibetan Ganesha appears, besides bronzes, in the resplendent Thangka paintings alongside

the Buddha. In "Ganesh, studies of an Asian God," edited by Robert L. BROWN, StateUniversity of New York Press, 1992, page 241-242, he wrote that in the Tibetan Ka'gyur

tradition, it is said that the Buddha had taught the "Ganapati Hridaya Mantra" (or

"Aryaganapatimantra") to discipleAnanda.The sutra in which the Buddha teaches this mantracan be found here[12].

The'pastime' and 'play' (Sanskrit: lila)of dancing and its representation in charnel ground

literature and visual representations is endemic:Ganapatias son of Shiva, Ganapati as Lord ofGana, the demonic host of Gana, dancing ganesha, dancing gana, the dance of life and death,

what is dance but a continuum of forms, dancing is energetic, dancing is symbolic of spiritualenergy in iconography, particularly chthonic imagery of Dharmic Traditions. Energy moves (andcycles) between forms as does dance. The 'wheel' (Sanskrit:chakra,mandala)in all its

permutations and efflorescence is a profound Dharmic cultural artifact enshrining the energetic

dance of the Universe. This is particularly applicable in the iconography ofNatarajaand the

'wrathful deities' (Sanskrit:Heruka)of Vajrayana which are depicted with a flamingaureole,aflaming wheel. This resonates with the deep symbolism of the mystery rite and folklore and folk

custom and high culture ofcircle danceswhich approaches a humancultural universal.Namkhai
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Norbu,a famedDzogchenmaster in theBonpotradition and theDharmic Traditionsofesoteric

Buddhismhas revealed a number ofterma(Tibetan) of circle dances such as the 'Dance of the

Six LokasofSamantabhadra'. The dance is a restricted initiatory rite and its process may not bedisclosed as so doing would be a contravention of 'commitments ' (Sanskrit:samaya)but it may

be affirmed that the rite is enacted on a colourful mandala of theFive Pure Lightsand the 'central

point' (Sanskrit:bindu)of the dance mandala is illuminated with a sacred candle known as the'garbha' (Sanskrit) within the International Dzogchen Community. This terma dance is all clearlyapplicable to the charnel ground when taken as the 'wheel of becoming' (Sanskrit:bhavachakra)

which generally is demarcated by six distinct 'places' (Sanskrit:loka).

[edit]Aghora

Dattatreyatheavadhuta,to whom has been attributed the esteemed nondual medieval song, the

Avadhuta Gita,was a sometime denizen of the charnel ground and a founding deity of theAghortraditionaccording to Barrett (2008: p. 33):

"...Lord Dattatreya, an antinomian form of Shiva closely associated with the cremation ground,who appeared to Baba Kina Ram atop Girnar Mountain in Gujarat. Considered to be the adi guru

(ancient spiritual teacher) and founding deity of Aghor, Lord Dattatreya offered his own flesh to

the young ascetic asprasd(a kind of blessing), conferring upon him the power of clairvoyanceand establishing a guru-disciple relationship between them."

[10]

Barrett (2008: p. 161) discusses the sadhana of the 'Aghora'(Sanskrit; Devanagari: )[11]in

both its left and right-handed proclivites and identifies it as principally cutting through

attachments and aversion and foregrounding primordiality, a view uncultured, undomesticated:

"The gurus and disciples of Aghor believe their state to be primordial and universal. They

believe that all human beings are natural-born Aghori. Hari Baba has said on several occasionsthat human babies of all societies are without discrimination, that they will play as much in theirown filth as with the toys around them. Children become progressively discriminating as they

grow older and learn the culturally specific attachments and aversions of their parents. Children

become increasingly aware of their mortality as they bump their heads and fall to the ground.They come to fear their mortality and then palliate this fear by finding ways to deny it altogether.

In this sense, Aghorsdhanis a process of unlearning deeply internalized cultural models.

When thissdhantakes the form ofshmashn sdhan, the Aghori faces death as a very youngchild, simultaneously meditating on the totality of life at its two extremes. This ideal example

serves as a prototype for other Aghor practices, both left and right, in ritual and in daily life."[12]

Vetala(Sanskrit) Shaivites Practitioners ofAnuyoga.The Anuyoga class of tantras of the Nyingmapa is understood

as the "Mother Tantras" of the Sarma Schools, this class of literature is also known as"Yogini Tantras" and there is a voluminous Shaivite or Shakta Tantra by the same name,

Yoginitantra.
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10/15

In the dance of reciprocity that is the beauty and cruelty of the Mystery of living anddying, the rite ofGanachakrais celebrated, indeed all forms participate in the

Ganachakra, there is nothing in the Three Worlds (Triloka)that is not a charnel ground...

Beer (2003: p. 102) relates how the symbolism of thekhatvangathat enteredesoteric Buddhism

(particularly fromPadmasambhava)was a direct borrowing from theShaiviteKapalikaswhofrequented places of austerity such as charnel grounds andcross roadsetcetera as a form of 'left-

handed path' (Sanskrit:vamamarga)'spiritual practice' (Sanskrit:sadhana):

"The form of the Buddhist khatvangaderived from the emblematic staff of the early Indian

Shaiviteyogins, known as kapalikasor 'skull-bearers'. The kapalikaswere originally miscreants

who had been sentenced to a twelve-year term of penance for the crime of inadvertently killing aBrahmin. The penitent was prescribed to dwell in a forest hut, at a desolate crossroads, in a

charnel ground, or under a tree; to live by begging; to practice austerities; and to wear a loin-

cloth of hemp, dog, or donkey-skin. They also had to carry the emblems of a human skull as an

alms-bowl, and the skull of the Brahmin they had slain mounted upon a wooden staff as a

banner.These Hindu kapalikaascetics soon evolved into an extreme outcaste sect of the 'left-hand' tantric path (Skt. vamamarg) ofshaktior goddess worship. The early Buddhist tantric

yoginsandyoginisadopted the same goddess or dakiniattributes of the kapalikas. Theseattributes consisted of; bone ornaments, an animal skin loincloth, marks of human ash, a skull-

cup, damaru, flaying knife, thighbone trumpet, and the skull-topped tantric staff or

khatvanga."[13]

[edit] Sadhana

Sadhana in the charnel ground within the Dharmic Traditions may be traced to ancient depictionsof the chthonicShivaand hischimericsonGanapati(Ganesha) who was decapitated and

returned to life with the head of an elephant. In certain narratives, Shiva made the Ganesha 'lordof thegana'(Sanskrit: Ganapati). Such depictions of Shiva, Ganesha and the ganas are evident in

literature, architectural ornamentation and iconography, etc. In the Indian traditions of Tantra thecharnel ground is very important. In must be remembered that the seat of Shiva and his locality

of sadhana is the sacred MountKailashain the Himalaya. In some non-Buddhist traditions of

Ganachakrasuch as the Kaula the leader of the rite is known as 'ganapati', which is a title ofrespect. The Eight Great Charnel Grounds are important in the life ofPadmasambhava.This is

one definite way the importance of the charnel ground in sadhana entered and became replicated

in the Himalayan Dharmic Tradition. The charnel ground is a particular place that holdspowerful teachings on impermanence and is important for slaying the ego. In this, the charnel

ground shares with the tradition ofdark retreatthat was foregrounded in some Himalayan

practice lineages.

Simmer-Brown(2001: p. 127) conveys how greatMahasiddha's in theNathandMantrayana

Buddhadharmatraditions such asTilopa(9881069) andGoraka(fl.11th - 12th century) yokedadversity to till the soil of the path and accomplish the fruit, the 'ground'(Sanskrit: raya;Wylie: gzhi)

[14]of realization - worthy case-studies for those with spiritual proclivity:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganachakrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganachakrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganachakrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trilokahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trilokahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trilokahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khatvangahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khatvangahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khatvangahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esoteric_Buddhismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esoteric_Buddhismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esoteric_Buddhismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padmasambhavahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padmasambhavahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padmasambhavahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaivitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaivitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapalikahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapalikahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapalikahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossroads_%28road%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossroads_%28road%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossroads_%28road%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vamamargahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vamamargahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vamamargahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadhanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadhanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadhanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=9http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivahttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/chimerahttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/chimerahttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/chimerahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganapatihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganapatihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganapatihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kailashahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kailashahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kailashahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganachakrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganachakrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padmasambhavahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padmasambhavahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padmasambhavahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_retreathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_retreathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_retreathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Simmer-Brownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Simmer-Brownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahasiddhahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahasiddhahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahasiddhahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantrayanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantrayanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantrayanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhadharmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhadharmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilopahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilopahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilopahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goraksahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goraksahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goraksahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floruithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floruithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floruithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_of_Being_%28Dzogchen%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_of_Being_%28Dzogchen%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_of_Being_%28Dzogchen%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_of_Being_%28Dzogchen%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floruithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goraksahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilopahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhadharmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantrayanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahasiddhahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Simmer-Brownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_retreathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padmasambhavahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganachakrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kailashahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganapatihttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/chimerahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadhanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vamamargahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossroads_%28road%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapalikahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaivitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padmasambhavahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esoteric_Buddhismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khatvangahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trilokahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganachakra


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"The charnel ground is not merely the hermitage; it can also be discovered or revealed in

completely terrifying mundane environments where practitioners find themselves desperate and

depressed, where conventional worldly aspirations have become devastated by grim reality. Thisis demonstrated in the sacred biographies of the great siddhas of the Vajrayna tradition. Tilopaattained realization as a grinder of sesame seeds and a procurer for a prominent prostitute.

Sarvabhaka was an extremely obese glutton, Goraka was a cowherd in remote climes, Tatepawas addicted to gambling, and Kumbharipa was a destitute potter. These circumstances werecharnel grounds because they were despised in Indian society and the siddhas were viewed as

failures, marginal and defiled."[5]

[edit] Poetry, song and literature

Dyczkowski (1988: p. 26) holds thatHla'sPrakrit literaturepoem theGthsaptaati(third tofifth century CE) is one of the first extant literary references to aKapalikawhere in the poem theKapalika, who is a female, anoints and besmears her body with the crematory ash from the

funeral pyre of her recently deceased lover.[15]

This is a literary allusion to the anointing of

'sacred ash' (Sanskrit:bhasma;vibhuti)especially associated withShivawho applies it all overHis body.

Dyczkowski (1988: p. 26) relates howKa Mira(c 1050-1100) casts the character of aKplikain his play, thePrabodhacandrodayaand then quotes verbatim a source that rendersthe creed of this character into English thus:

"My charming ornaments are made from garlands of human skulls." says the Kplika, "I dwellin the cremation ground and eat my food from a human skull. I view the world alternately as

separate from God (vara) and one with Him, through the eyes that are made clear with theointment of yoga... We (Kplikas) offer oblations of human flesh mixed with brains, entrails

and marrow. We break our fastby drinking liquor (sur) from the skull of a Brahmin. At thattime the god Mahbhairava should be worshipped with offerings of awe-inspiring humansacrifices from whose severed throats blood flows in currents.

[15]

In Vajrayana poetry, literature and song paraticularly that of the 'songs of realization', charnelgrounds are often described as containing "rivers of blood", "poisonous waterfalls", and depicted

as localities containing dangerouswild beasts.Thetwo truthsdoctrine though iterates this view

and when perceived differently, charnel grounds are peaceful places ofbeatificsolitudeand thischthonicsymbolism andTwilight Languageand iconography accrues a richpolysemy.When

perceived differently, the charnel grounds are places of 'peace' (Sanskrit:shanti), pleasant groves,

populated bywildflowersandfruit.Songbirds,tame lions and tigers, and the vast open vault of

the sky, fruit and flowers are often used in Vajrayana iconography and poetry and Beer (1999)[16]explains their symbolism and how they are understood in the tradition in fine detail. They are allincluded in depictions of the charnel ground.

TheUpa-yogascriptures first appeared in 'Mount Jakang Chen'Tibetan:,Wylie:ri byarkang can(alternate names: Riwo Jakang,Mount Jizu)and the charnel ground of Cool Grove
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-Simmer-Brown_2001_p.127-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-Simmer-Brown_2001_p.127-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-Simmer-Brown_2001_p.127-4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=10http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C4%81lahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C4%81lahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C4%81lahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prakrit_literaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prakrit_literaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prakrit_literaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C4%81th%C4%81sapta%C5%9Batihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C4%81th%C4%81sapta%C5%9Batihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C4%81th%C4%81sapta%C5%9Batihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapalikahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapalikahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapalikahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-books.google.com.au-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-books.google.com.au-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-books.google.com.au-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhasmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhasmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhasmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibhutihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibhutihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibhutihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Krishna_Mishra&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Krishna_Mishra&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Krishna_Mishra&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C4%81p%C4%81likahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C4%81p%C4%81likahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Prabodhacandrodaya&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Prabodhacandrodaya&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Prabodhacandrodaya&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-books.google.com.au-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-books.google.com.au-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-books.google.com.au-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songs_of_realizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songs_of_realizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songs_of_realizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_animalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_animalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_animalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_truthshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_truthshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_truthshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatitudehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatitudehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solitudehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solitudehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solitudehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chthonichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chthonichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twilight_Languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twilight_Languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twilight_Languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polysemyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polysemyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polysemyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanti_%28disambiguation%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanti_%28disambiguation%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanti_%28disambiguation%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildflowershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildflowershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildflowershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songbirdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songbirdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songbirdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upa-yogahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upa-yogahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upa-yogahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_alphabethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_alphabethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_alphabethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wylie_transliterationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wylie_transliterationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wylie_transliterationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Jizuhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Jizuhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Jizuhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Jizuhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wylie_transliterationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_alphabethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upa-yogahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songbirdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildflowershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanti_%28disambiguation%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polysemyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twilight_Languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chthonichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solitudehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatitudehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_truthshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_animalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songs_of_realizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-books.google.com.au-14http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Prabodhacandrodaya&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C4%81p%C4%81likahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Krishna_Mishra&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibhutihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhasmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-books.google.com.au-14http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapalikahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C4%81th%C4%81sapta%C5%9Batihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prakrit_literaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C4%81lahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-Simmer-Brown_2001_p.127-4


12/15

Tibetan:,Wylie:bsil ba'i tshal.[17]Cool Grove is also known as 'tavana'(Sanskrit).

[18]

Gray (undated: c2009) provides an excellent survey of chthonic charnel ground accoutrementmotif such as skull imagery in the textual tradition of theYogini tantras.

[19]

[edit]Baital Pachisi

Baital Pachisi

Somadeva

[edit] Beyond social convention

In the charnel grounds of Vajrayana, there are nosocial conventionsto conform to and no

distractions to be seduced by for thesiddha.

[1]

Dakas anddakinisgather there to celebrateceremonial tsok 'feasts' (Sanskrit:ganachakra). The lion's roar ofDharmadiscourse resound asdo theliturgyand the specific 'hourglass drums' (Sanskrit:damaru)of thechdpaand the light of

the inner 'joy of bliss' (Sanskrit:ananda)radiates and this dynamic movement is represented

iconographically by the 'bliss-whirling' (Sanskrit:ananda-chakra).

In hisManualon the practice of theLongchen Nyingtik,Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpocheholds

that:

"Right now, our minds are very fickle. Sometimes you like a certain place, and it inspires, and

yet with that same place, if you stay too long, it bores you. [] As you practice more and more,one day this kind of habit, this fickle mind will just go. Then you will search for the bindu

interpretation of the right place, and according to the classic tantric texts, that is usually what

they call the eight great charnel grounds. So then, you have to go to a cemetery, especially toone of the eight cemeteries. There, under a tree, in the charnel ground, wearing a tiger skin skirt,holding akaplaand having this indifference between relatives and enemies, indifferencebetween food and shit, you will practise. Then yourbinduwill flow. At that time, you will know

how to have intercourse between emptiness and appearance."[1][20]

In the life in which apratyekabuddhaattains the fruit of their 'path' (Wylie: lam), they arenaturally drawn to charnel grounds. "When reflecting on the bones found there, the

pratyekabuddha inquire "Where do these bones come from?"[1]

Thissamyama(Sanskrit) on the

bones awakens knowledge of their many lifetimes of investigation into the'Twelve Links of

Dependent Origination'.These twelve links then unfold in theirmindstreamas a 'blessing'(Sanskrit:adhishthana), in both forward and reverse sequence and on that foundation they yield

'realisation' (Sanskrit:siddhi).[1]

[edit] Vajrayana iconography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_alphabethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_alphabethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wylie_transliterationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wylie_transliterationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wylie_transliterationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yogini_tantras&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yogini_tantras&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-18http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=11http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=11http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baital_Pachisihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baital_Pachisihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somadevahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somadevahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=12http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_conventionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_conventionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_conventionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganachakrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganachakrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganachakrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damaruhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damaruhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damaruhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%B6dhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%B6dhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%B6dhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anandahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anandahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anandahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gankyilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gankyilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gankyilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longchen_Nyingtikhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longchen_Nyingtikhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longchen_Nyingtikhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzongsar_Khyentse_Rinpochehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzongsar_Khyentse_Rinpochehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzongsar_Khyentse_Rinpochehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kap%C4%81lahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kap%C4%81lahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kap%C4%81lahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binduhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binduhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binduhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratyekabuddhahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratyekabuddhahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratyekabuddhahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samyamahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samyamahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samyamahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Nidanashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Nidanashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Nidanashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Nidanashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindstreamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindstreamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindstreamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adhishthanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adhishthanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adhishthanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=13http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=13http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adhishthanahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindstreamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Nidanashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Nidanashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samyamahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratyekabuddhahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binduhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kap%C4%81lahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzongsar_Khyentse_Rinpochehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longchen_Nyingtikhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gankyilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anandahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%B6dhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damaruhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganachakrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakinihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-rigpawiki.org-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siddhahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_conventionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somadevahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baital_Pachisihttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charnel_ground&action=edit&section=11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-18http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yogini_tantras&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wylie_transliterationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_alphabet


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The charnel ground, cremation ground and cemetery is evident as a specific region within

wrathful Indo-Tibetansand mandalaiconography. As the anthropologist Gold (1994: p. 141)

relates in his comparative study drawn from his professional fieldwork into the symbolicuniversals of the sacred circles andsand-paintingsof theNavajoandTibetan peoples,parses the

sacred precinct and motif of the charnel ground as a locality in the symbolic grammar of the

Indo-Tibetan 'fierce yidam' or 'wrathful deity'(Sanskrit:heruka)sand mandala:

The third concentric ring [from the circumference] is optional, in that it is only used in mandalas

representing the reality of deities of fierce power. It represents the charnel grounds whereinbodies are cut up and offered to birds of prey as a "sky burial." This ring signifies the cutting

away of the bones and flesh of illusion on the way to the primordial ground at the mandala's

center. In some mandalas, it is positioned outside of the Mountain of Fire ring.[2]

The region of the charnel grounds in many wrathful mandala often hold eight specific charnel

grounds where certain key events take place in the life ofPadmasambhava.[21]

Blood is thematic in Charnel Ground iconography where it may be understood aslifeblood,asymbol of viscous 'compassion' (Sanskrit:karuna)of 'sacrifice' (Sanskrit:yajna), and attendant

with the symbolism of blood, bones ground our shared humanity and solidarity in the widerMandalaof life and the ancient lineage of 'ancestors'from which all sentient beings are of lineal

descent.

The tradition and custom of the 'sky burial' (Tibetan:jhator) affordedTraditional Tibetan

medicineandthangkaiconographysuch as the 'Tree of physiology'with a particular insight into

the interior workings of the human body. Pieces of thehuman skeletonwere employed in ritualtools such as theskullcup,thigh-bone trumpet,etc.

The 'symbolic bone ornaments' (Skt: ahiamudr; Tib: rus pa'i rgyanl phyag rgya) are alsoknown as "mudra"or 'seals' are also known as 'charnel ground ornaments'. TheHevajra Tantraidentifies the Symbolic Bone Ornaments with the Five WisdomsandJamgon Kongtrulin his

commentary to theHevajra Tantraexplains this further.[22]

The important Varnamala (or 'garland ofbijaphonemes' inTwilight Languageis

iconographically represented by a 'garland of severed heads or skulls' (Sanskrit: Mundamala).

[edit] Padmasambhava

Beer (1999: pp. 277278) relates howPadmasambhavareceived the siddhi of thekla

transmissionfrom a giganticscorpionat the charnel ground ofRajgriha:

The sting of the scorpion's whip-like tail transfixes and poisons its prey, and in this respect it is

identified with the wrathful activity of the ritual dagger or kla. Padmasambhava's biographyrelates how he received the siddhi of the kla transmission at the great charnel ground of Rajgrihafrom a gigantic scorpion with nine heads, eighteen pincers and twenty-seven eyes. This scorpionreveals the kla texts from a triangular stone box hidden beneath a rock in the cemetery. AsPadmasambhava reads this terma text spontaneous understanding arises, and the heads, pincers,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_mandalahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_mandalahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_mandalahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand-paintinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand-paintinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand-paintinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navajo_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navajo_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navajo_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrathful_deitieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrathful_deitieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrathful_deitieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herukahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herukahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herukahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-Gold.2C_Peter_1994_p.141-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-Gold.2C_Peter_1994_p.141-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charnel_ground#cite_note-Gold.2C_Peter_1994_p.141-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wik

charnel ground

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