Thangka

• The Tibetan term "Thangka" (ཐང་ཀ་) translates to "scroll painting," specifically denoting Tibetan Buddhist religious art painted on cloth with mineral pigments. Designed for hanging in shrines or portable devotion, it functions as a "mobile temple."
• The core canvas of a Thangka is painted using powdered gemstones and natural minerals—a process requiring hours of grinding alone—ensuring the colors remain vivid for millennia.

Medicine Buddha

Full Title: Bhaiṣajyaguru Vaidūryaprabhā Tathāgata

Meaning of Titles

Sanskrit: "Bhaiṣajyaguru" (Master Healer) Lapis Lazuli Body: Symbolizes immaculate wisdom radiating pure light to alleviate suffering across the three realms.

Sacred Status

Lord of Eastern Lapis Lazuli Pure Land: Counterpart to Amitābha (Western Pure Land); Governs present-life well-being and liberation through healing.

 

Yamāntaka Vajrabhairava

Meaning of Titles

• Sanskrit: Yamāntaka (Conqueror of Death)
• Tibetan: rDo-rje 'jigs-byed (Terrifying Vajra Being) Embodies wrathful wisdom severing the chain of cyclic existence; Manifests as the fierce emanation of Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva.

Sacred Status

Supreme Deity in Anuttarayoga Tantra:

Principal among Gelugpa’s Three Great Mandalas (alongside Cakrasaṃvara and Guhyasamāja);

Governs annihilation of ignorance and subjugation of the Lord of Death.

 

 

 

Zhagjilhamo (lcags kyi lha mo)

Meaning of Titles

Tibetan: lcags kyi lha mo ("Iron Realm Goddess")

Originates from a wronged Han Chinese woman’s spirit, Transformed into a Dharma protector through Buddhist liberation rites; Title signifies geographical essence (near Sera Monastery) and spirit-salvaging nature.

Sacred Status

Worldly Dharma Protector in Tibetan Buddhism

(Accumulating merit within saṃsāra);

Chief wealth deity of Tibet under Gelugpa’s Sera Monastery system;

Primary worship center: Lhasa’s Zhagjilhamo Temple.

 

 

 

Gesar Ling (Ge-sar)

Meaning of Titles

Tibetan: གེ་སར (Lotus-Stamen Hero Lord)

Full Title: འཇིག་རྟེན་སེང་གེ (Lion King of the World) Embodies demon-subjugating

fearlessness and world-protecting mission. Esoteric Honorific: Vanquishing Enemy-Demons Wish-Fulfilling King

 

 

Vaiśravaṇa

Meaning of Titles

Sanskrit: Vaiśravaṇa (Omniscient Lord, lit. "All-Hearing")

Tibetan: rNam thos sras (Heaven-Pervading Listener) Embodies boundless wisdom and universal wealth permeating the Dharma-realm. Han Chinese Title: "Chief of Four Heavenly Kings".

 

Green Tārā

Meaning of Titles

Sanskrit: "Tārā" (Savioress) Green symbolizes fearless vitality and dynamic action; Tibetan: Drölma (སྒྲོལ་མ, "Liberator from All Suffering").

 

Sacred Status: Chief of Twenty-One Tārās; Fully Enlightened Buddha (not Bodhisattva)

manifested from Avalokiteśvara’s tears; Supreme embodiment of awakened femininity in Tibetan Buddhism.

 

 

Cundī Buddha-Mother

Meaning of Titles

Sanskrit: Cundī (Pristine Wisdom)

Full Title: Saptakoṭi Buddha-Mātṛ (Mother of Seven Hundred Million Buddhas)

Tibetan: Lha mo Cundī Embodies generating all buddhas' merits through immaculate awareness; Esoteric Name: Supreme Vajra.

 

 

 

Śrīdevī

Meaning of Titles

Sanskrit: Śrīdevī (Goddess of Merit)

Tibetan: dPal ldan lha mo (Glorious Divine Mother)

Esoteric Title: Enemy-Repelling Vajra Mother Embodies protection through terrifying majesty and bestowal of victory/auspiciousness.

 

Yellow Jambhala

Meaning of Titles

Tibetan Name: "Jambhalā" (King of Golden Treasures) Embodies unity of

wealth, virtue, and wisdom; Golden body signifies "earth generates metal"—the source of prosperity.

 

Esoteric Identity: Chief of the Five Families of Wealth Deities; Unifies

manifestations of body, speech, mind, karma, and merit; Supreme Dharma Protector governing material and spiritual resources.

 

 

 

Vajrasattva

Meaning of Titles

Sanskrit: Vajrasattva (Adamantine Mind Holder)

Tibetan: rDo rje sems dpa’ (Thunderbolt Spirit Hero) Embodies primordially pure Buddha-nature;

Esoteric Title: Great Courage-Heart Bodhi. Han Chinese Designation: "Esoteric Embodiment of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva".