Kurukulla: The Tantric Goddess of Bewitchment.

A Livestream Class with Verónica Rivas

Sunday, February 22 at 3:15 pm in The Esoteric Alcove

Join Verónica Rivas for a compelling lecture on the Tantric Buddhist Goddess Kurukulla and the role of feminine spirits in Buddhist Tantra. In this tradition, manifestations of the feminine are deeply connected to wisdom, the transmission of knowledge, and initiatory power. As Tantra and Buddhism merged, many tribal and non-Buddhist deities were gradually incorporated into the Buddhist pantheon—an evolution that introduced the dakini and a cosmos increasingly suffused with vibrant feminine energy.

Kurukulla, once a tribal goddess venerated by nomadic peoples, was embraced in Tantric Buddhism as a tutelary deity (yidam) of magic, love, and bewitchment. She embodies the semi-wrathful aspect of wisdom, her red hue symbolizing the power of magnetism and desire transformed into the pure intention of achieving siddhis—spiritual accomplishments.

This presentation will explore Kurukulla’s most notable attributes and her place within the paradigm of Tantric Buddhism. Verónica will also examine the philosophical and magical systems that arose from the union of Tantra and Buddhism, providing insights into the unique epistemology and cosmology that emerged. The talk includes a brief overview of Kurukulla’s iconography and symbolic language.

To conclude, attendees will be guided through a short visualization practice of the Goddess Kurukulla. This practice is accessible to everyone, regardless of prior training or initiation. Those who prefer not to participate actively can simply listen to the guided description and still receive its benefits.