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The origin of Vajrapani Bodhisattva in Tibetan Buddhism

Vajrapani Bodhisattva (Tibetan: ལག་ན་རྡོ་རྗེ།, Willy transliteration: lag na rdo rje, Sanskrit: Vajrapāṇi), also known as Vajrapani, Vajrapani or Vajrapani Bodhisattva, is an important deity and guardian deity in Tibetan Buddhism. It belongs to the Vajra Department and symbolizes supreme wisdom and the power to destroy ignorance. The following is an overview of its origin:

1. **Origin and symbol**:

- The origin of Vajrapani Bodhisattva can be traced back to ancient Indian Buddhism. As the guardian of Sakyamuni Buddha, he is known as the three great Bodhisattvas together with Manjushri Bodhisattva (wisdom) and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (compassion), representing power and protection. Vajrapani Bodhisattva holds a vajra, which symbolizes indestructible wisdom, can subdue demons and protect the Dharma.

- In Tibetan Buddhism, Vajrapani Bodhisattva is regarded as the incarnation of Samantabhadra or Akṣobhya, and is the main deity of the Vajra Department. He is closely related to wrathful deities such as Vajrakīlaya and Hayagrīva.

- According to the scriptures, when Sakyamuni Buddha was preaching, Vajrapani Bodhisattva subdued heretics and demons many times in a wrathful form to protect the spread of the Dharma. In Tibetan Buddhism, his image has both a peaceful form (bodhisattva form) and a wrathful form (dharma protector form) to meet the needs of different practices.

2. **Relationship with Tibetan Buddhism**:

- Vajrapani is revered in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism (Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, Gelug), especially in Nyingma and Gelug, where he is widely used as a guardian deity and a deity for practice. When Padmasambhava introduced Tantra, he incorporated Vajrapani's practice into Terma to subdue the demons and evil spirits in Tibet.

- Vajrapani has a particularly close relationship with Vajrabhairava. Many documents believe that Vajrabhairava is the wrathful manifestation of Vajrapani. Both share the vajra as the main ritual implement, symbolizing the power to destroy ignorance and obstacles.

- In Tibetan Buddhist temples, thangkas, statues or murals of Vajrapani are often seen in the Dharma Protector Hall or Mandala, and together with other Dharma Protectors (such as Mahakala and Lakshmi Devi), they protect the Dharma.

3. **Shape features**:

- **Peaceful phase**: Vajrapani is in the form of a bodhisattva, with one face and two arms, a blue or green body, wearing a five-buddha crown on his head, wearing a celestial robe, holding a vajra in his right hand, making a mudra of giving or holding a lotus in his left hand, sitting on a lotus platform, showing wisdom and compassion.

- **Wrathful phase**: In the form of a powerful vajra, with one face and two arms or multiple arms, a blue-black body, eyes wide open, hair flying up, stepping on demons, holding a vajra in his right hand, holding a lasso or bell in his left hand, and carrying a flame on his back, symbolizing the power to subdue demons.

- His followers include the eight great yakshas and yakshas, ​​who help protect the Dharma and practitioners.

How Vajrapani is used in Tibetan Buddhism

In Tibetan Buddhism, Vajrapani is used as the main deity and guardian deity to subdue demons, purify karma, protect practitioners and promote the Dharma. Its practice methods include rituals, chanting, offerings and visualization. The following are the specific methods of use:

1. **Ritual practice**:

- **Initiation**: To practice Vajrapani Bodhisattva Dharma, one must receive initiation from the guru and obtain the qualification to practice the Dharma. During the initiation ceremony, practitioners visualize Vajrapani Bodhisattva and his vajra, correspond to the wisdom of the deity, and obtain blessings.

- **Heart mantra**: The commonly used heart mantra of Vajrapani Bodhisattva is "Oṃ Vajrapāṇi Hūṃ". Chanting 108 times or more helps practitioners to subdue internal and external obstacles and enhance wisdom and strength.

- **Visualization**: Practitioners visualize the peaceful or wrathful form of Vajrapani Bodhisattva, holding the vajra and radiating blue or golden light, piercing through ignorance and demonic obstacles, and purifying the body and mind. Visualize the deity merging into oneself to stimulate inner wisdom and protection.

2. **Subduing demons and removing obstacles**:

- The wrathful form of Vajrapani is especially used to subdue demons and remove obstacles. In the practice, practitioners hold the vajra or visualize its image, and with the mantra and hand seals (such as the vajra fist seal), they subdue the inner confusion (such as greed, anger, and ignorance) and the external demons.

- When a temple is newly built or a place is purified, Vajrapani's instruments (such as the vajra) or thangkas are often used to suppress the impure earth energy and ensure the purity of the place.

3. **Offerings and Dharma assemblies**:

- The statues or thangkas of Vajrapani are often placed in the Dharma Protector Hall or Mandala to receive offerings such as flowers, candles, incense, and nectar. When offering, it is necessary to keep it clean to express respect for the deity.

- In large-scale Dharma assemblies (such as the Gelugpa's great prayer assemblies), Vajrapani's practice is used to protect the smooth progress of the Dharma assembly, eliminate external interference, and protect the monks and believers.

4. **Carry it with you**:

- The image of Vajrapani or the vajra is often made into amulets and placed in a gawu (amulet box) for practitioners to carry with them to pray for protection and ward off evil.

- The sacred objects of Vajrapani that have been blessed by eminent monks are believed to have powerful protection and are especially used to drive away evil spirits or resolve dangers.

Precautions

- **Purity and respect**: The statues, thangkas or instruments of Vajrapani should be kept in a clean place to avoid unclean touch. When offering or practicing, one must keep the body, speech and mind pure and follow the precepts.

- **Guide by the guru**: Vajrapani Dharma belongs to the Tantric practice and must be carried out under the guidance of the guru. Those who have not received the initiation should not practice it without authorization to avoid negative consequences.

- **Right view and motivation**: The practice of Vajrapani should be based on bodhicitta, aiming to protect the Dharma and benefit sentient beings, rather than just for personal gain or malicious subjugation of others.

### Summary

Vajrapani Bodhisattva is an important deity and guardian deity in Tibetan Buddhism. It originated from ancient Indian Buddhism and was introduced to Tibet with Tantric Buddhism. It symbolizes supreme wisdom and the power to destroy demonic obstacles. Its image is divided into peaceful and wrathful phases, mainly used to subdue obstacles, purify karma and protect the Dharma. Through initiation, chanting, visualization and offering, practitioners can obtain the blessing of Vajrapani Bodhisattva, eliminate internal and external obstacles, and achieve wisdom and power. In various sects of Tibetan Buddhism, the practice and instruments of Vajrapani Bodhisattva are widely used in rituals, ceremonies and personal practice. It is necessary to practice with a pure mind and correct view to obtain its special blessing.

The origin and use of Vajrapani Bodhisattva in Tibetan Buddhism

Origin

- **Origin**: Originated from ancient Indian Buddhism, it is the guardian of Sakyamuni Buddha. It is called the three great bodhisattvas together with Manjusri and Guanyin, representing power and protection. Tibetan Buddhism regards it as the incarnation of Samantabhadra Tathagata or Akshobhya Buddha, belonging to the Vajra Department

- **Inheritance**: It was introduced to Tibet by Guru Padmasambhava and integrated into the terma method to subdue demonic obstacles. It is especially revered in the Nyingma and Gelug schools.

- **Form**: The peaceful form is a blue bodhisattva holding a vajra; the wrathful form is a blue-black Vajra with angry eyes stepping on demons and carrying flames.

How to use

1. **Practice ritual**:

- Receive the master's empowerment, chant the mantra "Om Benza Bani Hum", visualize the deity radiating light, and purify obstacles.

2. **Subdue demons and remove obstacles**:

- Combine with the vajra and hand seals to subdue internal and external demonic obstacles and suppress impure earth energy.

3. **Offerings and Dharma assemblies**:

- Offer in the Dharma Protector Hall or Mandala, accept flowers, candles and other offerings, and support the smooth Dharma assembly.

4. **Carry it with you**:

- Make it into a talisman or gawu to pray for protection and ward off evil.

## Notes

- Keep it clean, store it in a holy place, and worship it with piety.

- It needs to be guided by the master's empowerment, and cannot be practiced without permission.

- It is based on bodhicitta, and aims to protect the Dharma and benefit sentient beings, not for personal gain.