Vajrapani Bodhisattva: The Thunderbolt

(Buddha's Wisdom) VAJRAPANI: The Thunderbolt Bodhisattva who challenged Lord Shiva himself | Om Vajrapani Hum

Fierce protective spirit being

Vajrapani (Sanskrit Vajrapāṇi, Pali Vajirapāṇi, "holder of the thunderbolt," lit. meaning, "Vajra in [one's] hand") is one of the earliest-appearing bodhisattva in various sub-schools of Mahayana Buddhism.

He is alleged to be the protector and guide of the historical Buddha Gautama and rose to symbolize the Buddha's power.

Vajrapāni is also called Chana Dorje and Chador and extensively represented in Buddhist iconography as one of the earliest three protective deities or bodhisattvas surrounding the Buddha. Each of them symbolizes one of the Buddha's virtues... More

• Vajrapani Bodhisattva
• Vajrapani thangka (Dharma Treasures)