VajrapÄį¹i
VajrapÄį¹i, in MahÄyÄna Buddhist mythology, one of the celestial bodhisattvas (āBuddhas-to-beā), the manifestation of the self-born Buddha Akį¹£obhya.
VajrapÄį¹i (Sanskrit: Thunderbolt-Bearer) is believed to be the protector of the nÄgas (half-man, half-serpent deities) and sometimes assumes the shape of a bird in order to deceive their traditional enemy, the hawklike Garuįøa. Because of his association with the rain-controlling nÄgas and with the Hindu god of rain, Indra, he is invoked in times of drought.
Like Indra he holds the thunderbolt and is coloured dark blue or white. His statues are often found in a triad with the Buddha AmitÄyus (or the bodhisattva of wisdom, MaƱjuÅrÄ«) and the lotus-bearing bodhisattva of compassion, PadmapÄį¹i. In Tibet he assumes ferocious forms to combat demons and to guard the mystical teaching of Buddhism, and in Japan he guards the temple doorways (see Ni-Å).
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