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Wearing taboos
1. Do not wear it when bathing: avoid thangka contact with water or bathing products.
2. Avoid placing it in the toilet: the toilet is humid and unclean, which may damage the thangka.
3. Maintain piety and awe: thangka has religious significance and needs to be respected.
Daily care
1. Avoid exposure to the sun: place it in a constant temperature place to prevent the pigment from fading or the material from cracking.
2. Reduce smoke: long-term smoke will cause the surface of the thangka to turn yellow.
3. Moisture-proof area: keep it dry, and dry it in non-direct sunlight for 1-2 minutes in autumn to dehumidify, and avoid strong light.
**Introduction to the Six-armed Mahakala of Tibetan Buddhism**
**The Six-armed Mahakala** (Tibetan name: **Gongbu Chadong**, Sanskrit name: **Shadbhuja Mahakala**) is one of the most important guardian gods of Tibetan Buddhism. It belongs to the **worldly guardian**, with both wrathful appearance and wisdom body. It is regarded as the **wrathful incarnation of Avalokitesvara** or the **incarnation of Vajrapani**. It mainly protects the Dharma, subdues demons, and grants wealth and achievements.
**1. Image characteristics**
The Six-armed Mahakala usually appears dark blue or black (symbolizing the Dharma Realm), with a mighty body, six arms, three eyes, a five-skull crown on his head, elephant skin or human skin on his body, a tiger skin skirt around his waist, and steps on the elephant-headed god (symbolizing the subjugation of ignorance and obstacles).
**The six arms hold objects and their symbolic meanings**
1. **The Lord’s right hand**: holding a **axe** (cutting off afflictions and ignorance)
2. **The Lord’s left hand**: holding a **kapala bowl** (a skull vessel filled with nectar, symbolizing wisdom)
3. **The second hand from the upper right**: holding a **skull rosary** (counting time, symbolizing impermanence)
4. **The third hand from the lower right**: holding a **hand drum** (Dharma, symbolizing the wonderful sound of emptiness)
5. **The second hand from the upper left**: holding a **trident** (subduing the three poisons: greed, anger, and ignorance)
6. **The third hand from the lower left**: holding a **vajra rope** (binding demons and making them convert to Buddhism)
**Trampling on Ganesha (or a supine human figure)**: symbolizing the subjugation of heterodoxies, ignorance, and arrogance
**Second, Merits and Benefits of Practice**
Six-armed Mahakala is not only a **Dharma Protector**, but also a **God of Wealth**. Its practice methods are widely spread in various Tibetan Buddhist sects (such as the Gelugpa, Sakyapa, and Kagyupa). Its main merits include:
1. **Subduing demons**: Eliminating obstacles, curses, and interference from evil spirits in practice.
2. **Increasing wealth**: Protecting believers from financial problems and career success.
3. **Wisdom growth**: Helping practitioners realize emptiness and eliminate ignorance.
4. **Protecting Buddhism**: Protecting temples, monastic communities, and practitioners from harm.
**Third, Main inheritance and practice**
**1. Sakya Sect (one of the Thirteen Golden Dharmas of Sakya)**
- The Sakya sect attaches great importance to Six-armed Mahakala, regarding him as **Gonpo Gur, the "Treasure Tent Protector", the fundamental Dharma protector of Sakya Monastery.
- The practice includes **fire offering, **torma offering** (food offering) and chanting mantras.
**2. Gelugpa (Ganden Monastery and Drepung Monastery mainly practice)**
- The Gelugpa sect attaches equal importance to the six-armed Mahakala and the **four-armed Mahakala** (Mahakala) as the monastery protectors.
- Often practice the "Six-armed Mahakala Ritual" and cooperate with the **"Black Wealth God Dharma"** to increase wealth.
**3. Kagyu Sect (Marpa and Milarepa inheritance)**
- The Kagyu sect regards it as the **"career protector"** and supports the practice together with **Palden Lhamo**.
**Fourth, mantra and offering method**
**Six-armed Mahakala mantra (common version)**
**"Om Mahakala Ya Svaha"**
(Om Mahakala Ya Svaha)
**Offering method**
1. **Offer wine, tea, and food every day** (in Tibetan tradition, black wine and blood and flesh symbols are often offered, but in modern times, amrita pills or candies are often used instead).
2. **Mantra chanting**: chant the mantra at least 108 times with visualization.
3. **Fire offering (Homa)**: often practiced in large-scale ceremonies, burning offerings to quickly increase blessings.
**Five, matters needing attention**
1. **Need to rely on the master's empowerment**: Six-armed Mahakala is a tantric deity, and must be taught by a virtuous master before practice.
2. **Pure precepts**: Practitioners must observe the samaya precepts and avoid killing, stealing and other evil deeds.
3. **Do not ask for things indiscriminately**: Although one can be granted wealth, one should base it on **Bodhicitta** and not be greedy or attached to it.