大自在天，梵文Maheśvara的意译（Mahā为大，iśvara 表自在），音译为摩醯首罗。据说他住在色界之顶，为三千大千世界之主，在三千界中得大自在，故有此称。

大自在天父母源于印度教的三界之主湿婆和妻子帕尔瓦蒂。佛教将其改造为护法并认为他们是观世音菩萨的化身，所以可以称为佛父佛母。

Maha Deva (Tibetan: lha chen po, English: Great God): also known as Shiva - emanation of Avalokiteshvara.

The practice of Mahadeva as an independent meditational practice in Tibetan Buddhism is a Revealed Treasure teaching (Tib.: Terma) unique to the Nyingma Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It was especially popularized through the Mindrolling Tradition of the Nyingma. Sometimes Lha Chenpo can be found as a minor figure in Mindrolling paintings of Jinasagara Lokeshvara. There are a number of different forms of Lha Chenpo relating to the 'Terma' tradition plus other forms of Shiva found in the various levels of Buddhist Tantra. A few minor practices for Shiva as a front generation can also be found with the intention of accomplishing certain worldly aims. One such practice is attributed in the writings of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (19th century) to Padampa Sanggye of the 11th century.

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《敏珠林密智空行母》 本文来自郝文鑫先生（文殊金刚）的公众号：图像金刚乘教法史（或朋友圈）。