Vajrapani

Description

Vajrapani is 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: Manjushri manifests all the Buddhas’ wisdom, Avalokite?vara manifests all the Buddhas’ immense compassion, and Vajrap?ni protects Buddha and manifests all the Buddhas’ power as well as the power of all five tath?gatas Buddhahood of the rank of Buddha. Vajrap?ni is one of the earliest Dharmapalas of Mahayana Buddhism and also appears as a deity in the Pali Canon of the Theravada school. He is Buddhism where he is known as Mahasthamaprapta and forms a triad with Amit?bha and Avalokite?vara. Manifestations of Vajrap?ni can also be found in many Buddhist temples in Japan as Dharma protectors called Nio. Vajrap?ni is also associated with Acala, who is venerated as Fudo-Myoo in Japan, where he is serenaded as the holder of the vajra.