Buddhist Vocabulary: Vajra

Written By Lama Döndrup

Word origins:

Sanskrit: Vajra 

Tibetan: Dorje (phonetic); Wylie: rdo rje

English adamantine, diamond, thunderbolt

Vajra is a symbol of indestructibility, immutability.

It appears in various contexts in Buddhism.

Photo credit: LogHQ - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • Vajrayana: One of the 3 major yanas (vehicles) of Buddhism; the Indestructible/Diamond Vehicle

  • It is used to describe that which is indestructible, such as buddha nature, Buddhahood.

  • It is also the name of a ritual scepter that is commonly paired with a bell.

The ritual implement of a vajra is typically held in the right hand and represents the masculine principle, skillful mean/upāya.

Vajras come in a wide range of sizes with anywhere from one to 1000 spokes, though most frequently 5 or 9.

The vajra is rich in symbolism.

Vajra

  • The sphere at the center symbolizes dharmata or emptiness

  • There is an 8-petaled lotus above and below the sphere. The upper lotus represents the 8 male bodhisattvas, and the lower lotus represents the 8 female bodhisattvas. Collectively, the 16 petals of the lotuses represent the 16 emptinesses.

  • The 5 lower spokes represent the 5 aggregates or the 5 afflictions

  • The 5 upper spokes represent the 5 Buddhas or the 5 wisdoms

  • The understanding of emptiness, which the central sphere represents, transmutes the 5 aggregates to the 5 male buddhas and the 5 afflictions to the 5 wisdoms.

  • Alternatively, the upper spokes represent the 5 male buddhas and the 5 lower spokes represent the 5 female buddhas.

  • The tips at the top and bottom represent Mt. Meru.

Lama Döndrup

Lama Döndrup has been practicing and studying in the Buddhist tradition since the mid-1990’s. After five years of Theravadin Buddhist training, she immersed herself in the teachings and practices of the Shangpa and Kagyu Vajrayana lineages. In 2005, she completed a traditional three-year retreat under the guidance of Lama Palden and Lama Drupgyu with the blessing of her root guru, Bokar Rinpoche and was authorized as a lama. Upon her return to Marin County, she began teaching at Sukhasiddhi Foundation. In January 2020, as Lama Palden’s successor, she stepped into the role of Resident Lama, guiding the Center’s ministerial work. Lama Döndrup’s teaching style is thorough and clear yet with light touch as she supports the natural unfolding of each student’s innate wisdom and compassion. She aims to preserve the authenticity of the tradition while making the teachings and practices relevant and accessible to the lives of 21st century Westerners. In addition to her Buddhist practice, Lama Döndrup trained the Ridhwan School’s Diamond Approach for seven years and has a Masters of Fine Arts degree in piano performance. She is an active classical pianist and teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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