31-5-2011 Crossed Vajra/Dorje 十字金刚杵

Skt., vajra: Lord of Stones
Tib., rDo-rje: Diamond Scepter
1. In Hindu symbology, the vajra is an emblem and/or magical weapon thought to produce the lightning flash controlled by the god Indra. It is said to be of indestructible power and has often been compared to the thunderbolt of other Indo-European male deities such as Zeus.
Such comparison does not apply to the Tibetan symbolism.

2. In Vajrayana teachings, the dorje expresses and symbolizes the hardness and clarity of a diamond, giving to the word connotations of indestructibility, shining clarity, beauty and uncorruptable truth.

3. As a ritual object, a dorje has mostly five (Tib., rDo-rJe rTse-lNga) or nine spokes radiating from a central sphere. It appears also as a part of several magical weapons and attributes of Tibetan protective deities. For examples see kartrika, pasha, phurbu, shrinkhala.

 A synonym for both vajra and dorje is mani (Skt., jewel), and all three terms are often used as a code for the lingam; still carrying the associations of power, hardness, and great worth. Mani often appears with Padma (Skt. lotus and/or yoni), for example in the famous mantra Om Mani Padme Hum; (among other meanings) a celebration of fe/male union as the means to overcome dualism of any kind.

 The corresponding female equivalent to the male dorje-mani-vajra is ghanta, the bell. Images of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Vajrayana dignitaries often show them with one or both of these attributes in their hands.

 Dorje/Vajra also represents one of the Five Buddha Families.

 A symbol/implement exists that consists of two crossed dorje/vajra; in which case the name isvishva-vajra (Skt.) or rdo-rje rgya-gram (Tib.)

The word for the ritual implement held in the lama's right hand has been translated as thunderbolt but also diamond. The Sanskrit word vajra means adamantine, that is, "diamond-like."
Therefore, besides being able to dent any object and overwhelm with its incomparable brilliance, the vajra or dorje represents great durability -- a hardness plus an immutability that is practically eternal.

Ultimately, it stands for
The mystery of the mind, the omniscience, the pure awareness of all the Buddhas,
Indicated by a symbol of eternal strength and constancy,
The vajra heart of knowledge and emptiness is like the sky --
How wonderful to see the intrinsic face of reality!

Vajra is a Sanskrit equivalent of the Tibetan word dorje and it carries many meanings: Indra’s thunderbolt, the lamas’ sceptre, and diamond, but only in the sense mentioned above. It may also be used as a qualifying term for anything used in the tantric context. Thus the person who presides at tantric rituals is called the vajra master or dorje lopon.

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