LATE 20TH C. FINE VAJRAPANI THANGKA PAINTING FOUNDED IN DREPUNG MONASTERY, TIBET.

HAND PAINTED WITH ROCKS AND MINERAL COLORS ON PURE COTTON CANVAS.

SIZE : 43 CMS X 33 CMS

Vajrapani (Sanskrit: "Vajrain [his] hand") is one of the earliest-appearing bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism. He is the protector and guide of Gautama Buddhaand rose to symbolize the Buddha's power. Vajrapni 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,Avalokitevara manifests all the Buddhas' immense compassion, and Vajrapni protects Buddha and manifests all the Buddhas' poweras well as the power of all five tathgatas(Buddhahood of the rank of Buddha). Vajrapni is one of the earliest Dharmapalas of Mahayana Buddhism and also appears as a deity in the Pali Can on of the Theravada school. He is worshiped in the Shaolin Monastery, in Tibetan Buddhism and in Pure Land Buddhism(where he is known as Mahasthamaprapta and forms a triad with Amitbha and Avalokitevara). Manifestations of Vajrapni can also be found in many Buddhist temples in Japan as Dharma protectors called Nio. Vajrapni is also associated with Acala, who is venerated as Fud-Myin Japan, where he is serenaded as the holder of the vajra.