Vajradhara

Vajradhara

Vajradhara is the founder of Vajrayana Buddhism and is considered to be the source of all the Tantric teachings. He is depicted as dark blue, expressing the quintessence of Buddhahood and the Tantric form of Shakyamuni.

Vajradhara means the bearer of the lightning scepter. The inherent tradition of lightning representing transformation & energy originates 2,500 c. BCE. The term Vajra is a typical Sanskrit word being a composite of VA - meaning to bear or carry, JA - whose syllable denotes the energy & RA - meaning to rise, overcome, or power.

A Vajra scepter is a special object that embodies the principle of change. Conjoined prongs at each end denote lightning bolts and their being conjoined denotes latent self-reacting energy. In effect as important to Buddhism as the Cross to Christianity.

The Vajra has four prongs enclosing a fifth central prong making five in total and at both ends. The tridents are another representation of the lightning more associated with Hinduism. Varjadhara’s arms are crossed in a gesture of victory over the Three Worlds regarding the syllable ‘Hum’, & is seated in the lotus seat.

The lotus seat & the crossed arms Mudra are together called the Vajrasana or Position of transcendent change. The white sash draped across Vajradharas's chest represents the purity and essence of the Vajrayana school of Buddhism.