Vajrapani

Vajrapani (Sanskrit: वज्रपाणि, lit. "Vajra in his hand"), also known as Changchub Dorje in Tibetan and Kongōsatta in Japanese, is a revered deity in Mahayana Buddhism, particularly in Vajrayana Buddhism. He is one of the earliest Dharmapalas (defenders of the Buddhist law) and is known for his role as a protector and enforcer of Buddhist teachings. Vajrapani is often depicted as a muscular figure, holding a vajra (a ritual weapon symbolizing the diamond thunderbolt) in his right hand, which represents the power of enlightenment and the indestructibility of the Buddha's teachings. In Tibetan Buddhism, he is considered a manifestation of the Buddha's power and is often associated with the transformation of negative emotions into wisdom. The Hebrew translation for Vajrapani is וַגְ'רָפָּנִי. In Chinese, he is known as Jīngāng Shǒu (金剛手), and in Mongolian, he is referred to as Gurvaani eertai. Vajrapani's iconography and symbolism vary across different Buddhist traditions, reflecting his adaptability and relevance in various cultural contexts.