Vajrapani Tibetan Buddhist Handmade Brocade Thangka

This Vajrapani thangka is 34 inches long and 20 inches wide. The border is made from brocade material. This Vajrapani thangka was handmade in Nepal.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Vajrapani is known as Channa Dorje. Vajra means, 'daimond,' or 'thunderbolt,' and pani means, 'in the hand.' Another word for Vajrapani is Ghuyapati, which means "the lord of secrets." Vajrapani is one of the three protectors of the Buddha and is one of the oldest dieties in Tibetan Buddhism. Vajrapani represents the power of the Buddhas, in the same way that Avalokitashvara represents compassion. As the protector of Buddha Shakyamuni, Vajrapani accompanied him to prevent harm from befalling the Buddha Shakyamuni. There are accounts that say that when someone spoke with insolence to Buddha Shakyamuni, Vajrapani appeared over Buddha Shakyamuni's head and threw a thunderbolt at them. Because of that account Vajrapani represents righteous wrath.

Vajrapani stands in a position that is called Virabhadrasana 1 (Warrior 1) in yoga. This posture shows Vajrapani's strength and determination. In this thangka, Vajrapani holds a vajra (dagger) in his right hand and a lasso in the left. Vajrapani uses the lasso to capture enemies. Vajrapani is always depicted wearing a crown made from skulls. The mantra associated with Vajrapani is om vajrapani hum pad. Vajrapani can protect practitioners from psycological illness and diseases of the mind.