In the sūtra tradition, Vajrapāṇi was a yakṣa who acted as the Buddha Śākyamuni’s bodyguard. Also identified as being a manifestation of Śakra and could appear as a number of vajrapāṇis to guard the Buddha. With the advent of the Mantrayāna he is a bodhisattva. Also a euphemism for Indra or a group of vajra-wielding deities in Indra’s realm.

He first appears in Buddhist literature as the yakṣa bodyguard of the Buddha, ready at times to shatter a person’s head into a hundred pieces with his vajra if they speak inappropriately to the Buddha. His name means that he wields a vajra. His identity as a bodhisattva did not take place until the rise of the Mantrayāna.

A yakṣa and the protagonist of this sūtra who is counted among the bodhisattvas in attendance at the beginning of the sūtra and called the lord of the guhyakas (guhyakādhipati) throughout the work. He gives various teachings, receives a prediction of his future awakening as a buddha, and is the subject of various past life stories to explain his current responsibilities and attributes; he also hosts the Buddha Śākyamuni at his home for a meal. See the introduction for a discussion of his place in Buddhist literature.

He first appears in Buddhist literature as the yakṣa bodyguard of the Buddha, ready at times to shatter a person’s head into a hundred pieces with his vajra if they were to speak inappropriately to the Buddha. His identity as a bodhisattva did not take place until the rise of the Mahāyāna in such sūtras as the Kāraṇda­vyūha Sūtra.

One of the earliest bodhisattvas of Mahāyāna Buddhism, representing the skillful ability of the awakened state.

He first appears in Buddhist literature as the yakṣa bodyguard of the Buddha, ready at times to shatter a person’s head into a hundred pieces with his vajra if he speaks inappropriately to the Buddha. His identity as a bodhisattva did not take place until the rise of the Mantrayāna in such sūtras as the Kāraṇḍavyūha. However, although listed (paradoxically along with Avalokiteśvara) as being in the assembly that hears the teaching of this sūtra, in the sūtra itself he is grouped with the worldly spirits that Avalokiteśvara frightens.

An important bodhisattva, “Wielder of the Thunderbolt,” whose compassion is to manifest in a terrific form to protect the practicers of the Dharma from harmful influences.

One of the bodhisattvas attending the delivery of this teaching.

An important bodhisattva, “Wielder of the Vajra,” whose compassion is to manifest in a terrific form to protect the practitioners of the Dharma from harmful influences.

A figure who takes on numerous identities in Buddhist literature, including a yakṣa bodyguard of the Buddha Śākyamuni, a bodhisattva, and an esoteric Buddhist deity instrumental in the transmission of tantric scripture.

Wrathful aspect of Vajrasattva; the Buddhist counterpart of Indra.

An important bodhisattva who manifests in a terrific form to protect Dharma practitioners.

A figure who takes on numerous personas in Buddhist literature, including as a yakṣa bodyguard of Śākyamuni, a bodhisattva, and an esoteric Buddhist deity involved in the transmission of tantric scripture.

A Buddhist deity and a legendary bodhisattva; in the MMK he is regarded as the master of powerful nonhuman beings.

(Toh 555: rdo rje’i thal mo)

(Toh 555: rdo rje’i thal mo)

A yakṣa general.

Vajrapāṇi appears throughout Buddhist literature in the overlapping roles of a yakṣa, bodhisattva, and esoteric deity. As the latter, he is frequently an interlocutor in and transmitter of tantric scripture.

Also called here the “general of yakṣas.”

‟Vajra in Hand,” the deity who teaches the Bhūta­ḍāmara Tantra; in the first half of this text he is referred to primarily as Vajradhara.

A Buddhist bodhisattva and protective yakṣa whose name can be translated “vajra-in-hand.”

First appearing in Buddhist literature as a yakṣa bodyguard of the Buddha Śākyamuni, Vajrapāṇi evolved into one of the primary transmitters of tantric scriptures, and is regarded as the head of the vajra clan (vajrakula) of esoteric Buddhism.