DHARMAPALA
Dharmapālas, or Dharma Protectors, are deities or protective spirits in Buddhism who defend the Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha) and Buddhist practitioners from harmful forces. These protectors are often seen as wrathful or fierce figures who are tasked with ensuring the preservation and flourishing of Buddhist teachings in the world by removing obstacles and defeating external threats—whether they are physical, spiritual, or mental.
Dharmapālas are typically invoked in rituals to seek protection for practitioners, temples, monasteries, and the Dharma itself. They may also help remove obstacles that block spiritual progress, such as ignorance, delusions, or demonic influences. While some of these protectors are more benevolent, others are wrathful deities who embody the fierce determination to protect the Buddha’s teachings and destroy negative influences.
There are Transcendental Dharma Protectors and Worldly Dharma Protectors.
Dharmapala (Protectors)
SIX-ARMED MAHAKALA
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Sanskrit name Mahakala, meaning "Great Black One," Tibetan mgon po (Gönpo), meaning "Protector." This deity has one face, six arms, and a blue body. He is an emanation of Avalokiteshvara and arose to subdue demons disturbing sentient beings. He embodies the four enlightened activities: pacification, enrichment, magnetization, and subjugation. Surrounding the main deity are five protector deities.
WHITE TARA
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WHITE TARA (Sitatārā in Sanskrit) is a revered female bodhisattva and Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism, associated with longevity, healing, and compassion. She is considered a manifestation of Avalokiteshvara's (Chenrezig's) compassion and is often invoked for protection, good health, and long life.
Seven Eyes: White Tara is depicted with seven eyes—one on her forehead, two on her palms, and two on her soles—symbolizing her all-seeing wisdom and omniscient compassion.
Lotus Position (Padmasana): She sits in a full lotus posture, embodying meditation and purity.
Mudra (Hand Gestures):
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Right hand in varada mudra (gesture of granting blessings).
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Left hand in abhaya mudra (gesture of protection), holding an Utpala lotus, representing purity and enlightenment.
PALDEN LHAMO GUARDIAN DEITY
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Also known as Maha-kali in Sanskrit and dpal ldan lha mo (Palden Lhamo) in Tibetan, meaning "Glorious Goddess." She is a significant female guardian deity in Tibetan Buddhism and is widely venerated. She is the wrathful consort of Mahakala and carries five sacred objects: a plague pouch, a red mantra bag, black and white dice, a demon-thread ball, and a ghost-summoning plaque.
GUHYASAMAJA
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Sanskrit name Guhyasamāja, one of the Five Principal Deities of the Highest Yoga Tantra. Also known as Secret Assembly Vajra. Surrounded by various deities, dakinis, and protector deities. The Gelug school regards Guhyasamaja as the King of the Highest Yoga Tantras, and Je Tsongkhapa emphasized its practice.
TWENTY-ONE TARAS
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Green Tara (Sanskrit: Syamatara, Tibetan: སྒྲོལ་ལྗང་, Droljang) is one of the most revered bodhisattvas in Tibetan Buddhism. She embodies compassion in action, offering swift aid to those in need. As an enlightened being, she is considered a protector who removes obstacles, fears, and suffering.
Color:
Green represents active compassion and the power of swift action.
Seated Posture:
Her right leg is extended, symbolizing her readiness to rise and assist beings.
Hand Gestures:
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Right hand in varada mudra (gesture of giving), granting protection and blessings.
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Left hand in abhaya mudra (gesture of fearlessness), holding an utpala (blue lotus) signifying purity and enlightenment.
Seven Eyes:
Some depictions show her with seven eyes (on her palms, soles, and forehead), representing omniscient wisdom and her ability to see all suffering.
RED YAMARI
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Sanskrit name Yamari, also called Yamāntaka, meaning "Lord of Death" or "Death Subduer." This wisdom protector deity is an emanation of Manjushri to subjugate Yama. The main deity is surrounded by red, yellow, green, and white Yamari forms, lineage masters, and attendants. Also known as Vajrabhairava in different manifestations.
SAMVARA
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a powerful deity and one of the prominent figures in the tradition of yogini tantra and anuttarayoga tantra. He is often depicted as a wrathful, red-skinned figure with multiple faces, arms, and adornments, symbolizing his ability to overcome obstacles and protect practitioners from harmful forces. The name "Samvara" means "to restrain" or "to control," which refers to his role in helping practitioners control and subdue the negative forces within themselves, including desires, distractions, and other mental defilements.
MAHĀKĀLA
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one of the most powerful and revered Dharmapalas (Dharma Protectors) in Tibetan Buddhism. He is a wrathful emanation of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion) and is primarily associated with protection, the destruction of obstacles, and the preservation of the Dharma, with protectors including Palden Lhamo and Kshetrapala.
VAJRABHAIRAVA
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VAJRABHAIRAVA, also known as Yamantaka, is a prominent deity in Tibetan Buddhism, revered for his fierce and protective nature. He embodies the union of wisdom and compassion, serving as a powerful meditational figure in Tantric practices. Vajrabhairava is typically depicted with multiple heads, arms, and a wrathful expression, symbolizing his ability to overcome ignorance and obstacles on the path to enlightenment. His iconography often includes symbols like a skull cup and a noose, representing the cutting of attachment and liberation from cyclic existence.
GARUDA
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GARUDA is a mythical bird-like creature symbolizing the triumph of wisdom over ignorance. Originating from Indian mythology, the Garuda is depicted as a powerful, eagle-like being with a human face, embodying both strength and spiritual insight. The Garuda represents the soaring of wisdom, transcending the mundane world and reaching the heights of enlightenment. In Tibetan Buddhist iconography, the Garuda is often shown subduing serpents, symbolizing the overcoming of obstacles and negative energies.
GANESHA
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In Tibetan Buddhism, GANESHA, known as Ganapati in Sanskrit, is revered as a deity who removes obstacles and grants prosperity. While Ganesha originates from Hinduism, his worship has been integrated into various Buddhist traditions, including Tibetan Buddhism. Ganesha is honored as a protector of Dharma practice and prosperity, removing hindrances and obstacles. He is also depicted as a wealth deity, granting worldly pleasures and success.
VAJRABHAIRAVA
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VAJRABHAIRAVA, also known as Yamantaka, is a wrathful manifestation of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, in Vajrayana Buddhism. He is revered as a principal meditational deity (yidam) within the Anuttarayoga Tantra class, embodying the fierce determination to overcome obstacles and ignorance on the path to enlightenment.
BLACK JAMBHALA
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BLACK JAMBHALA, also known as the Hindu god of wealth Kubera, is a deity revered in Tibetan Buddhism for his association with prosperity and the dispelling of poverty. Originating in ancient India, he is believed to have manifested from river waters to impart teachings on wealth generation to a king facing severe financial hardships. This deity is particularly venerated by those seeking to alleviate poverty and by individuals in solitary retreats with virtuous intentions.
This thangka depicts the union of male and female practitioners. In Tibetan Buddhism, such imagery often represents the concept of "Yab-Yum," symbolizing the union of wisdom and compassion. It's important to approach these depictions with cultural sensitivity and an understanding of their profound spiritual significance.
TWO-ARMED MAHAKALA
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TWO-ARMED MAHAKALA – A single-faced, two-armed, green-bodied deity. Sanskrit name Mahakala, meaning "Great Black One," Tibetan mgon po (Gönpo), meaning "Protector." Mahakala manifests in wrathful form to subdue obstinate beings and is revered across all Tibetan Buddhist schools as a wisdom protector. He appears in two-, four-, six-armed, black, and white forms depending on circumstances. Above him are the Five Dhyani Buddhas, while around him are eight mother deities.
MAHAKALA
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MAHAKALA, known as the "Great Black One," is a prominent deity in Vajrayana Buddhism, revered as a fierce protector and manifestation of compassion. Often depicted with a wrathful appearance, Mahakala embodies the transformative power of enlightenment, serving to remove obstacles and protect the teachings of Buddhism.
In Tibetan Buddhism, Mahakala assumes various forms, each associated with different Buddhas or meditational deities. For instance, certain forms of Mahakala are considered wrathful emanations of the primordial Buddha Vajradhara, while others are linked to deities like Hevajra, Chakrasamvara, and Guhyasamaja. These manifestations highlight Mahakala's role in safeguarding specific Tantric practices and teachings
VAISHRAVANA
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VAISHRAVANA (also known as Kubera in Sanskrit) is a prominent deity in both Hinduism and Buddhism, particularly as one of the Four Heavenly Kings in Buddhist cosmology. He is primarily associated with wealth, prosperity, and as a protector of the northern direction.
Vaishravana is regarded as the guardian of material and spiritual wealth. In this context, he not only protects physical treasures but also ensures the spiritual prosperity of beings through his benevolence and support for practitioners
TWO-ARMED MAHAKALA
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TWO-ARMED MAHAKALA – A single-faced, two-armed, green-bodied deity. Sanskrit name Mahakala, meaning "Great Black One," Tibetan mgon po (Gönpo), meaning "Protector." Mahakala manifests in wrathful form to subdue obstinate beings and is revered across all Tibetan Buddhist schools as a wisdom protector. He appears in two-, four-, six-armed, black, and white forms depending on circumstances. Above him are the Five Dhyani Buddhas, while around him are eight mother deities.
VAJRABHAIRAVA
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Sanskrit name Vajrabhairava, one of the Five Principal Deities venerated in the Highest Yoga Tantra of Tibetan Buddhism. In Tibetan, Rdo rje vjigs byed (Dorje Jigje), meaning "Terrifying Vajra." This thangka has a black background with gold line drawings mixed with pigments. Vajrabhairava is the wrathful aspect of Manjushri and belongs to the Wheel of Command, serving as the root of activities. The Gelug and Sakya schools particularly emphasize its practice. Vajrabhairava is also called Yamāntaka (gshin rje gshed, "Enemy of Yama"). Above the central deity are three Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, while below are five guardian deities, including Jambhala, Shri Devi, Six-Armed Mahakala, Yamantaka, and Vaishravana.
VAISHRAVANA
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also known as Kubera in Sanskrit, is a prominent deity in both Hinduism and Buddhism, particularly as one of the Four Heavenly Kings in Buddhist cosmology. He is primarily associated with wealth, prosperity, and as a protector of the northern direction.
Vaishravana is regarded as the guardian of material and spiritual wealth. In this context, he not only protects physical treasures but also ensures the spiritual prosperity of beings through his benevolence and support for practitioners
VAJRABHAIRAVA
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Sanskrit name , one of the Five Principal Deities venerated in the Highest Yoga Tantra of Tibetan Buddhism. In Tibetan, (Dorje Jigje), meaning "Terrifying Vajra." This thangka has a black background with gold line drawings mixed with pigments. Vajrabhairava is the wrathful aspect of Manjushri and belongs to the Wheel of Command, serving as the root of activities. The Gelug and Sakya schools particularly emphasize its practice. Vajrabhairava is also called (, "Enemy of Yama"). This thangka is a black-background gold-line sketch painting. Above the central deity are three guru figures, while below, it is surrounded by nine deities, including Yamāntaka, Mahākāla with a Jeweled Canopy, Palden Lhamo, Six-Armed Mahākāla, Kshetrapala (also known as Yaksha Kshetrapala), and Jambhala (the God of Wealth).
GREEN TARA
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Green Tara (Sanskrit: Syamatara, Tibetan: སྒྲོལ་ལྗང་, Droljang) is one of the most revered bodhisattvas in Tibetan Buddhism One of the many forms of Tara, said to be an emanation of Avalokiteshvara.. She embodies compassion, protection, and swift action, often called upon to dispel fears and obstacles. She is surrounded by Buddhas, lineage masters, and protectors.
SHRIDEVI
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"SHRIDEVI" is a Sanskrit term combining "Sri" (meaning "auspicious" or "holy") and "Devi" (meaning "goddess"). It translates as "Auspicious Goddess" or "Glorious Mother" and is used as an honorific title for divine feminine figures in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. In Hinduism, for example, this title is often associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. In Buddhist tantra, invoking a goddess by this name can call upon qualities of beauty, protection, and spiritual grace, embodying transformative and nurturing energies.
SAMVARA
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SAMVARA, is a powerful deity and one of the prominent figures in the tradition of yogini tantra and anuttarayoga tantra. He is often depicted as a wrathful, red-skinned figure with multiple faces, arms, and adornments, symbolizing his ability to overcome obstacles and protect practitioners from harmful forces. The name "Samvara" means "to restrain" or "to control," which refers to his role in helping practitioners control and subdue the negative forces within themselves, including desires, distractions, and other mental defilements.
SAMVARA
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SAMVARA, is a powerful deity and one of the prominent figures in the tradition of yogini tantra and anuttarayoga tantra. He is often depicted as a wrathful, red-skinned figure with multiple faces, arms, and adornments, symbolizing his ability to overcome obstacles and protect practitioners from harmful forces. The name "Samvara" means "to restrain" or "to control," which refers to his role in helping practitioners control and subdue the negative forces within themselves, including desires, distractions, and other mental defilements.
HEVAJRA
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HEVAJRA is a wrathful tantric deity in Vajrayana Buddhism, particularly associated with the Hevajra Tantra, one of the most important texts in the Anuttarayoga Tantra (Highest Yoga Tantra) classification. He is especially revered in the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism but is also found in other traditions. His hands hold skull cups (kapalas) containing the eight deities of his mandala, symbolizing the subjugation of worldly obstacles.
WHITE JAMBHALA
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WHITE JAMBHALA (Tib. དངོས་གྲུབ་སྦྱིན་བདག་དཀར་པོ།, Ngödrup Jinpa Karpo) is one of the five forms of Jambhala (Dzambhala), the Buddhist deity of wealth and prosperity. He is associated with compassion, generosity, and spiritual and material abundance. White Jambhala is believed to have emanated from the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig) to relieve suffering and provide wealth to those in need. His mantra is chanted for prosperity, financial stability, and overcoming poverty, as well as for accumulating spiritual merit.
VAJRABHAIRAVA
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Sanskrit name Vajrabhairava, one of the Five Principal Deities venerated in the Highest Yoga Tantra of Tibetan Buddhism. In Tibetan, Rdo rje vjigs byed (Dorje Jigje), meaning "Terrifying Vajra." This thangka has a black background with gold line drawings mixed with pigments. Vajrabhairava is the wrathful aspect of Manjushri and belongs to the Wheel of Command, serving as the root of activities. The Gelug and Sakya schools particularly emphasize its practice. Vajrabhairava is also called Yamāntaka (gshin rje gshed, "Enemy of Yama").
