| Abstract: |
The cult of the Tantric Buddhist deity Hevarja must have been of considerable importance within Cambodian Mahayanism from about the 11th to the 13th cent. A rather large number of bronze figures and stone sculptures are still preserved. They are always 8-headed, 16-armed, 4-legged, and in general in a dancing pose. The most important sources for the interpretations of his image are the Hevajra Tantra and the Hevajrasekaprakriya. Hevajra is the personification of enlightenment which is defined in Tantrism as the experience that samsara and nirvana are identical. Gaining enlightenment is a dynamic process. This is represented by his dance. The rhythmical movement culminates into an enormous energy where the phenomenal world emanates from. The attributes in his 16 hands symbolize different magical faculties and spiritual power. The arrangement of his 8 heads in 3 levels of 3, 4, and 1 superimposed faces can be interpreted as a combination of 3 and 5. In the system of unfolding of the Adamantine Being into the phenomenal world, the 3 lower ones symbolize Buddha, Lokesvara, and Vajrapani and represent the nirmanakaya. The 5 heads of the 2nd and 3rd levels are the 5 Tathagatas. They symbolize the transcendent state, the sambhogakaya. The absolute form of the Adamantine Being is expressed by his name: "By HE is proclaimed great compassion, and wisdom by VAJRA" says the Hevajra Tantra. Compassion and wisdom are the two components of the Absolute. This is the dharmakaya. Possessing these 3 kaya (bodies) Hevajra has the quality of an Adibuddha. He is the Highest Being for those who devote themselves to his esoteric path with the zeal to achieve enlightenment during their present lifetime.
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