Bhrikuti: Incarnation of Tara
Author : Peter Vredeveld
Bhrikuti Devi, one of the popular figure in Tibet and Nepal. The Nepali Princess Bhrikuti Devi is the first wife of Tibetan King Songtsan Gampo (605 - 650 CE).
Bhrikuti Devi is one of the famous figures in Tibet and Nepal. She is known to Tibetans as Bal-mo-bza' Khri-btsun, Bhelsa Tritsun, Khri bTsun (Royal Lady). The Nepali Princess Bhrikuti Devi is the first wife of Tibetan King Songtsan Gampo (605 - 650 CE). Princess Bhrikuti Devi is believed to be an incarnation of Tara (female Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism). She was a Nepali princess during the Licchavi Empire in Nepal.
"Then during the reign of bTsan po Khri Srong btsan, after his marriage with Khri btsun, the daughter of the king of Nepal, the temple (gtsug lag khang) of Ra sa [Lhasa] Pe har gling was built. Furthermore, the construction of the forty-two temples of the Ru bzhi was requested, and the Brag lha [temple] was built. ''Thon mi gam po ra was sent by royal order [to India] to get the Indian doctrine, and the model of the alphabet (yi ge'ige'i dpe)" - Bhrikuti Devi is mentioned in this oldest copy of the famous traditional history of the dBa'bzheddBa'bzhed.
Princess Bhrikuti Devi is traditionally considered Green Tara by most Tibetan Buddhists. She is also known as "Besa". Green Tara, also known as (Syamatara) is regarded as the Buddha of enlightened activity. Bhrikuti Devi was married to King Songtsan Gampo in around 623 CE. King Songtsan Gampo was also married to Chinese Princess Wencheng in around 624 CE, and Princess Wencheng was also considered the incarnation of Tara ( White Tara ). According to the Tibetan History of Buddhism, Princess Bhrikuti and Princess Wencheng were devout Buddhists, and their marriage with Tibetan King Songtsan Gampo became the turning point of Tibetan Buddhism. Their marriage with the Tibetan King was the starting point of Buddhism in Tibet despite the existence of the Bon religion.
History
There are many rumors about Princess Bhrikuti Devi, and still, there is no specific reference to Bhrikuti. Many Tibetans considered Bhrikuti the daughter of King Amshuvarma (605 - 621 CE), co-ruler and successor of Sivadeva. But there was another statement on Princess Bhrikuti by Acharya Kirti Tulku Lobsang Tenzin. He stated that Bhrikuti Devi was the daughter of King "Angsu Varma" or Amshuvarma, and she married King Songtsan Gampo around 632 CE.
According to legends in Tibet, Bhrikuti was related to Udayavarman, who was said to be the son of Sivadeva I and was the king succeeding Sivadeva I. It is believed that Udaya Varman had a son and a girl, Prince Narendradeva and Bhrikuti Devi.
But there are other detailed historical accounts on Narendradeva, the son of Naling Deva, Licchavi king of Nepal. But Narendradeva had to take refuge in Tibet after King Naling Deva's brother forcibly seized the throne.
It is presumed that Princess Bhrikuti got married to the Tibetan King when Narendradeva fled to Tibet. So, this event took place in 623 CE.
Contribution of Bhrikuti in Tibetan Buddhism
By Tibetan Buddhism, Bhrikuti was a devout Buddhist who had considerably spread Buddhism in Tibet. Her marriage itself has contributed to the starting point of Buddhism in Tibet. Furthermore, she brought many sacred Buddhist statues of Nepal as a part of a dowry. She even got some expert Newari craftsmen. Upon her wishes, these talented craftsmen constructed The Red Palace in Lhasa before rebuilding it. King Songtsan Gampo and Princess Bhrikuti Devi built a great temple called "The Tsulag Khang (House of Wisdom)." This temple is popularly known as the "Jokhang Temple (House of Lord)" and is now one of Lhasa's famous sites and heart.
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