Ganesha in Buddhism - Auspicious 12-Armed Ganapati Practice, Remover of Obstacles

Why is Maha Rakta Ganapati recommended by Buddhist Teachers as the remover of obstacles - the protector of prosperity? What makes Ganapati a spiritual superstar? Why is Ganesha so loved around the world? In Buddhism, what makes his practice unique and powerful? Ganapati - the much-loved deity Ganesha - transcends spiritual boundaries.
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Venerable Zasep Rinpoche, introducing a teaching event, explained his versatile popularity:
"Ganesha is honored as a Yidam deity as well as a Dharma Protector in both the Hindu tradition and the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Ganesha is a protector of Dharma practice and prosperity; he also removes hindrances and obstacles.
Ganesha, Vajrayogini, and Kurukulla are the three red deities, part of the thirteen golden Dharmas of the Sakypa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Ganesha is one of the fifteen directional protectors - in that group he is known as a Vinayaka."
Ganapati in Found in Most Schools of Buddhism
Ganapati practice is pervasive and popular in most schools of Buddhism, including Mahayana and Vajrayana. Zasep Rinpoche illustrated with this example:
"Ganesha also promised to protect the Dharma in front of Guru Padmasambhava. Guru Padmasambhava composed 108 Sadhanas of Ganesha and gave them to Tibet’s second great king."
Rinpoche also explained that there are 32 aspects of Ganesha in Hinduism and several in Buddhism, including as an aspect of Chenrezig.
The Story of Avalokiteshvara and Ganesha
From the chapter of Ganesha-Ganapati in Zasep Rinpoche's book Source of All Buddhist Protectors, he synopsized the charming story of how Avalokiteshvara - in Tibetan known as Chenrezig - "convinced" Ganesha to protect the Buddha Dharma:
"Chenrezig knew Ganesha was a powerful god and wanted him to become a Dharma protector. Chenrezig decided the only way to do this was to manifest as an even more powerful Ganesha. One day Ganesha and his attendants went on an outing... While they were gone Chenrezig manifested himself as Ganesha and entered the royal palace. The consort of Ganesha and her entourage greeted him and offered flowers and music....when the real Ganesha returned to the royal palace, the consort and entourage were very confused and told him the great Maha Deva Ganapati was already sitting on the golden throne! ... Then Ganesha, seeing the power and wisdom of Chenrezig, right away he took refuge and the Bodhisattva vows from him, to protect and maintain the holy Dharma."
Benefits of Ganesha's Dharani
Ganapati's Heart Dharani is a Sutra proclaimed by Shakyamuni Buddha in the Arya Ganapati Hridaya. In the sutra, Buddha suggested Ganapati's dharani be practiced first, before other practices and meditations, to help remove obstacles to practice. Buddha said to Venerable Ananda:
"Retain this, the Heart of Ganapati. The people who read this will accomplish all their endeavors. All the aspirations they hold in their minds will be accomplished as well. They will accomplish all the secret mantras, too. All their wealth and resources will become abundant."
Venerable Zasep Rinpoche wrote:
"At the time of Buddha Shakyamuni, Buddha advised his chief disciple Maha Ananda, that the monks, nuns and lay devotees should first take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, then make offerings to Ganesha. They should recite his Mantras seven times, twenty-one times or 108 times, then they could achieve their wishes and remove obstacles to Dharma practice."
The shortest version of the mantra would be:
OM AH GA HUM SVAHA
In simple terms: Om Ah and Hum respectively represent Buddha's Body, Speech and Mind and GA is the seed-syllable of Ganapati Ganesha.
Prayer to 12-armed Ganapati
Traditionally, devotees would make a daily offering of flowers, carrots and other sweet offerings with a simple prayer such as:
Lord Ganapati, you are the embodiment of
Body, Speech and Mind of the Buddhas
Arising from non-dual wisdom,
I offer fragrant flowers, carrots and other substances,
To you, the Lord who removes obstructors,
I pray to you and your entourage,
Please send your blessings and siddhas upon us!
#Ganesha #Ganapati #Buddhaweekly #Buddhistpractices #Vajrayana
buddhaweekly.c...

[@aayushsuwal2526]

Om Ganapati Bappa Moriya, Om Mangal Murti Moriya, Om Ganapati Bappa Moriya, Om Mangal Murti Moriya, Om Ganapati Bappa Moriya, Om Mangal Murti Moriya, Om Ganapati Bappa Moriya, Om Mangal Murti Moriya, Om Ganapati Bappa Moriya, Om Mangal Murti Moriya, Om Ganapati Bappa Moriya, Om Mangal Murti Moriya, Om Ganapati Bappa Moriya, Om Mangal Murti Moriya, Om Ganapati Bappa Moriya, Om Mangal Murti Moriya, Om Ganapati Bappa Moriya, Om Mangal Murti Moriya. 🙏💐🕉

[@atis9061]

I know the great Ganesh is multi-dimensional and complex to some but to me-he is my best friend. He helped me when no one else did. He was the first deity I met on my spiritual journey, that’s how I know. He visited me three times in dreams. I LOVE YOU GANESH I am forever grateful to you.

[@vajraloka1]

Finally found confirmation Ganesh in Buddhism also.

[@whiteaura777]

I am born in a Buddhist clan but I am so lenient to Ganesha.. I searched for this video today and have gained some insights on who Ganesha is in Buddhism.. thank you 🙏

[@mahagurupadmasambhava]

Om Gam Ganapataya Svaha

[@krishanu-d1k]

OM GAM GANAPATAYAI NAMAH 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@SALTDEPUTYMINISETER]

Om Ah Ga Hum Svaha

[@krishanu-d1k]

Ganapati bappa Moriya 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@रजतभूषण]

Jai Ganapati jai jai mahganapati. om

[@davidfireman7]

Om Gan Ganapatiye Namo Namaha

[@aquicommeusbotoes]

Obrigado por colocar legendas em português, algo extremamente raro em canais de divulgação do Dharma. Ficarei muito feliz se vocês legendarem mais vídeos em português.

[@BuddhaWeekly]

Obrigada. Estamos trabalhando em todos os vídeos de ensino, um por um. Perdoe o uso do Google Translate, não temos um tradutor voluntário.

[@aquicommeusbotoes]

The translation is great. Do not worry. I am a student of Lama Gangchen Rinpoche. And I really appreciate the teachings of Zasep Rinpoche. May Rinpoche and all of you in the sangha have long life, many blessings and protection. You are wonderful!!! ❤️🥰🙏 (Oh, I'm using Google translator right now... 🙈)

[@scopel4333]

​@@BuddhaWeekly Ficou incrível!

[@jamesamow5565]

Life is more beautiful after hearing this..xiexie ni....staysafe...beblessedalways

[@stewartthomas2642]

WOW Awesome vid.....Love your stuff kick on love it

[@BuddhaWeekly]

Thanks so much!

[@derekarmstrong6973]

Great documentary on the obstacle-remover. _/\_

[@BuddhaWeekly]

🙏

[@cedric2827]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH🌹 🙏🏻🌹

[@BuddhaWeekly]

You are so welcome

[@tserings6673]

Wonderful! Thank you 🙏

[@BuddhaWeekly]

Thank you too for watching!

[@canny1081]

Thank you so much 💓

[@BuddhaWeekly]

You're welcome 😊

[@LeoandLunaLumine123]

Thank you ❤😊.

[@johninman7545]

Ganapati is a Ter dag or holder of Guru Padmasambhav's hidden treasures

[@Nair.Mahayanabuddhists]

Thanking 🥰 you for this information

[@basantagurung369]

Om ah ga hum svaha

[@75hklmop57dfg]

Очень интересно🕉🧡

[@izabartnicka-kwietniewska9734]

❤❤❤

[@kevinking330]

🙏🏻

[@dibyanlama2761]

Great video. Kindly let me know if we can receive initiation via video.

[@BuddhaWeekly]

Thank you for watching. Ganesha generally doesn't require initiation to chant the mantras or visualize in front of you. Initiation for 12-Armed Ganapati is normally recommended if you wish to practice 12-armed form, but not necessary, again asssuming you only visualize in front of you. Ven Zasep Rinpoche advises that although you can receive initiation for Maharakta Ganapati (12-armed form) via live stream is possible, but lung, transmission or empowerment via previously-recorded video is not generally an actual transmission (it should be live, where you can see the teacher live). However Garchen Rinpoche has indicated in the past that for those with absolute faith, they can receive empowerment via a pre-recorded vdieo. Hope that helps. In kindness, Lee

[@rajsakya6855]

Nice

[@onushagurung6425]

🙏Thank you very much🙏

[@BuddhaWeekly]

So nice of you, thanks for watching!

[@onushagurung6425]

@@BuddhaWeekly 🙏🙏

[@TC-mp4lf]

🙏🙏🙏

[@lobsangwangyalladingpa6871]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💐

[@NielsvanBedaf-go2gv]

❤

[@CoralColouredFlickerFeather]

🙏🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏿🙏🏻❤️✨❤️

[@СыргаДамба]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🌈

[@dr.pravinpargaonkar9633]

Regards!

[@mariabathrellou4927]

❤️⭐🙏

[@johninman7545]

I have a calendar from Thailand that has a picture of Ganesh

[@gelekrapten5820]

Sir ,recently I chanted vajrayogini mantra 108 times and then later read somewhere that if we r not enpowered then we should not chat this mantra . I need ur guidance please.

[@BuddhaWeekly]

Hi Gelek, Vajrayogini and other Highest Yoga Tantra generally should not be chanted without empowerment by tradition. I wouldn’t worry, but I wouldn’t continue without teacher guidance. Hearing them is fine, many uninitiated people hear higher tantra mantras at pujas in temples. You certainly will find then on KZbin. Some teachers give permission to chant mantras without empowerment in some cases as long as you don’t self generate…. Meaning visualize the Deity in front of you. For example some teachers say it’s fine to chant Black Manjushri or Hayagriva for healing, but front visualize. It is always best to have lung transmission of a mantra in any case. Often teachers will do this via zoom empowerment (live not playback). But most kriya tantra mantras are fine without empowerment’s such as Tara, Medicine Buddha, Manjushri, Ganesha, and so on. Avoid chanting Higher Yoga mantras such as Vajrayogini, Yamantaka, Heruka etc. In all cases if you feel worried it’s beneficial to chant Vajrasattva mantras … it’s very healing and purifying buddhaweekly.com/vajrasattva-great-purifyer-among-powerful-profound-healing-purifications-techniques-vajrayana-buddhism/

[@johninman7545]

His vahana or vehicle is a mouse or rat, the usual animal for wealth is a Mongoose Ganas are unruly beings mention in the 20th praise of Tara. Ishvara is ruler [esha]

[@maichyang2912]

vignaharta

[@NielsvanBedaf-go2gv]

Love en licht❤ 7

[@vajraloka1]

Ganesh is Shivas son ( mahadeva ) is he mentioned in Buddhism?

[@BuddhaWeekly]

Yes the practice of Mahadeva is a Revealed Treasure teaching (Tib.: Terma) mostly unique to the Nyingmapa School. Mahadeva is an emanation of Avalokiteshvara. Maha Deva (Tibetan: lha chen po, English: Great God): also known as Shiva although in Buddhism he is an emanation of compassionate Avalokiteshvara. When we start thinking about manifestations and emanations, the important concept is Shunyata or Oneness or Emptiness of Ego. Buddha's transcend ego, so at an ultimate level, all aspects and emanations are One essence, and all beings have Buddha Nature. In kindness, BW

[@vajraloka1]

Another confirmation Lha Chenpo...I read that but wasn't sure if it was reliable, thanks again!!! Yes all is Dharmata.

[@NielsvanBedaf-go2gv]

❤