28/11/2025
Vajrasattva is a central deity in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, representing primordial purity and the practice of purification. He is invoked to cleanse negative karma and purify broken vows. His name translates to "diamond being" or "thunderbolt being," symbolizing both the indestructible and powerful forces of enlightenment.
Key aspects of Vajrasattva
Purification: Vajrasattva is primarily a figure of purification, helping practitioners cleanse negativities related to greed, hatred, and delusion. His practice is used to purify transgressed vows, particularly in ta***ic traditions.
Iconography: He is often depicted as a radiant, white-bodied figure sitting on an eight-petaled lotus.
His right hand holds a golden vajra (thunderbolt/diamond) at his heart.
His left hand holds a silver bell, often resting on his left thigh.
He is sometimes shown with a consort, an aspect known as Yab-yum.
Meaning of symbols:
Vajra: Represents the skillful means (upaya) of compassion and the indestructible nature of enlightenment.
Bell (Ghaṇṭā): Represents wisdom.
The Great Ta**ra of Vajrasattva is a Root Ta**ra of the Space Section first translated into Tibetan in the 8th Century by Vairochana Raksh*ta, a famous trans...
