Lizard: 2 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Buddhism
1. Tibetan Buddhism
India history
See also

Introduction:

Lizard means something in Buddhism, Pali, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

Images (photo gallery)

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: academia.edu: The Structure and Meanings of the Heruka Maṇḍala

The Lizard is associated with the Yoginī (female deity) named Kṛkī, being situated in the Medinīcakra, according to the 10th century Ḍākārṇava-tantra: one of the last Tibetan Tantric scriptures belonging to the Buddhist Saṃvara tradition consisting of 51 chapters.—Accordingly, the medinīcakra refers to one of the three divisions of the dharma-puṭa (‘dharma layer’), situated in the Herukamaṇḍala. The 36 pairs of Ḍākinīs [viz., Kṛkī] and Vīras are yellow in color; the shapes of their faces are in accordance with their names [e.g., Lizard]; they have four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum, and a knife.

context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

India history and geography

Source: Singhi Jain Series: Ratnaprabha-suri’s Kuvalayamala-katha (history)

Lizards were commonly depicted on the Saṃsāracakra paintings (representing scenes of animal life), in ancient India, as mentioned in the Kathās (narrative poems) such as Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā (a Prakrit Campū, similar to Kāvya poetry).—Page 185.21 f.: Here follows a description of a printed scroll illustrating the Jaina conception of saṃsāracakra. [...] The saṃsāra-cakra illustrated the three worlds of hell, human world and the world of gods. [For example:] A number of animals making a composite form, one upon another: spider caught in the web of another spider, the latter catching an insect pursued by a lizard and the latter caught by a black bird which flying in the sky with its feed was caught by a bird of prey, and the latter falling to the ground was caught by a wild cat which in turn was attacked by a wild boar, the latter was being attacked by leopard, and the leopard was attacked by a tiger, the latter instantaneously by a lion and the lion by a wild Śarabha (stronger than a lion and said to have eight feet).

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Relevant text

Search found 105 books and stories containing Lizard, The lizard; (plurals include: Lizards, The lizards). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Jataka 138: Godha-jātaka < [Book I - Ekanipāta]

Jataka 438: Tittira-jātaka < [Volume 3]

Jataka 333: Godha-jātaka < [Volume 3]

+ 9 more chapters / show preview

Verse 394 - The Story of the Trickster Brāhmin < [Chapter 26 - Brāhmaṇa Vagga (The Brāhmaṇa)]

Verse 368-376 - The Story of a Devout Lady and the Thieves < [Chapter 25 - Bhikkhu Vagga (The Monk)]

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Story 67 - The Lizard And The Leopard < [Part II (c) - Stories of the Durayas]

Story 184 - The Lizard and the Iguana < [Part III - Stories of the Cultivating Caste]

Story 10 - Matalange Loku-appu < [Part I - Stories told by the Cultivating Caste and Vaeddas]

+ 10 more chapters / show preview

Chapter V - Godhā-jātaka (Jātaka of the Lizard) < [Volume II]