The Wheel of Blessing and Power/The Meaning of HUNG

 

The Wheel of Blessing and Power

 An Explanation of the Glorious Drikung Kagyu Logo
The Sun, the Moon, and the Hung Syllable
Translated by Khenpo Konchok Tamphel

Om Svasti! I bow at the feet of
Lord Vajradhara, Lodro Rinchen, and Dewegon,
Danun, Nagarjuna, Shavari, and Tilipa,
Naro, Metri, Marpa, Mila, Dagpo, and Dorje Gyal,
And the Protector Drigung Rinchenpal

This short explanation of the logo made of the sun, the moon, and the Hung syllable has four parts: 

• Outer Meaning
• Inner Meaning 
• Secret Meaning
• Absolute Meaning

Moon	Sun	Syllable Hung

 The Outer Meaning
The sun and moon symbolize the Physician of Dagpo and Rechungpa, the sun-and moon-like heart sons of the Great Jetsun Milarepa, the crown jewel of the Practice Lineage in the Land of Snow; it is symbolized that the sun-and moon-like Kagyud gurus bless one’s mind.
The syllable Hung in the center of the logo symbolizes the seal of the Drigung Kyura clan. It is popularly known that this seal, which is the syllable Hung, was among the many divine substances that descended with Kyura Namchen Karpo, the trailblazer of the Kyura clan, when he was dropped onto earth from heaven by the gods. Until today, the syllable Hung has been the royal seal of the Drigung lineage. As legend goes, people who knew its great significance considered even ordinary documents as a protection Chakra if it had the Hung seal on it. They believed that the seal was able to dispel the harms and curses caused by gods, ghosts, demons, obstructers, enemies, and dacoits, and always kept the sealed documents close to their bodies. For this purpose the hung became designed as a seal.
Inner Meaning
The white moon is Achi Chokyi Drolma in essence, the Dharma protectress of the Drigung Kaygud Lineage. The deep blue Hung Syllable symbolizes Mahakala, the Lord of Primordial Wisdom. The red sun symbolizes Dharmapala Tseumar. The three of them together symbolize that Achi, Mahakala, and Dharmapala protect the Buddha-dharma.
 Secret Meaning
On the moon-seat of bodhicitta, the blue Hung syllable symbolizes Chakrasamvara’s essence, which is the “aspect of clarity” as skilful means. The red sun symbolizes Vajrayogini’s essence, which is the “aspect of emptiness” as wisdom. The two together symbolize the co-emergent father and mother, the union of skilful means and wisdom, which is the essence of Sambhogakaya form.
 The Absolute Meaning
The blue Hung syllable symbolizes the minds of the Buddhas of the three times. It has the nature of space, which is blue, clear, unceasing, empty, and brilliant. In essence it is the Dharmakaya, the nature of reality-as-it-is, which is beyond the scope of words, thoughts, and expressions.
The circle [at the top of the syllable] symbolizes Akshobya and the dharmadhatu wisdom. The crescent moon symbolizes Vairocana and the mirror-like wisdom. The top symbolizes Ratnasambhava and the equality wisdom. The letter HA symbolizes Amitabha and the discriminating wisdom. The Aa and U symbolize Amoghasiddhi and the activity accomplishing wisdom. Thus the syllable Hung in essence represents the five Buddha families.
Disguised as a Hung syllable
is the holder of the five primordial wisdoms.
By the power of experiencing the unification,
of the generation and completion stages,
May I accomplish the state of Vajradhara in this very life.
By the Glorious Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Konchok Tenzin Kunzang Thinle Lhundrub, this was composed on the 15th of January 1981 at Yungdrung Tharpa Ling monastery in Ladakh.