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Tibetan Iconography

Vajrasattva

Vajrasattva, [tib.: Dorje sempa] is a supreme Buddhist deity who embodies the purity of the enlightened mind. Vajrasttva means "Diamond Being" in Sanskrit. In Vajrayana buddhism, the principle of purity and purification. Vajrasattva embodies the capacity to eliminate spiritual impurities of all kinds, particularly neglected commitments toward one's teacher and one's own spiritual development.

Vajrasattva is a sambhogakaya manifestation; he unifes all the five buddha-families within himself in the same way that the white colour of his body unifies all the five colors. With his right hand he holds a Dorje to his heart, which signifies his indestructible essence. His left hand, holds a bell, rests on his hip; this is an expression of his compassion. The hundred syllable mantra associated with him is used in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism for purification of the mind.ยด