The name Vajrapani is a Sanskrit word that translates as “thunderbolt in the hand”. Fittingly, our Vajrapani Tibetan Thangka Painting depicts him wielding a vajra over his right shoulder in his classic warrior pose. Additionally, this ancient symbol of war was carried into battle by the generals in ancient India. However, in Buddhism it symbolizes the male aspect of compassion and skillful means.
The wrathful appearance of Vajrapani is meant to crush obstacles to spiritual realization. Additional features of our Vajrapani Tibetan Thangka include the burning flames of pristine awareness which surround him. These flames consume all neurotic mental states. Additionally, he wears the skull crown that is adorned with the five skulls symbolizing the five poisons. The five insidious poisons in Buddhism are greed, hatred, ignorance, jealousy and pride. These five poisons have been converted into the five transcendent wisdoms. Furthermore, wrathful Vajrapani has three eyes which represent his knowledge of the past, present and future. Click here to learn more about the most powerful Buddhist Gods.
