The Wrathful Guardian Deities
Guardian deities are divine beings that hold vajra implements in their hands and protect the Buddhadharma. These guardians function as the instructional wheel, which symbolizes the great strength of the instruction, which can destroy all forms of enemies.
In the Sutric tradition, the common deities that protect the Buddhadharma are the guardian protectors and the Protector Skanda. In Tantric Buddhism, the wrathful guardian deities are very distinctive in their appearance, and they are the emanation bodies of the buddhas and bodhisattvas. Isn`t it true that Buddhism teaches one to avoid anger and to practice patience? Then why such ferocious display?
There is a saying in Buddhism, which states:
The Bodhisattva lowers her eyebrows, showering compassion on the six realms. The Guardian Deity stares with angry eyes, subjugating the four Mara demons.
While remaining compassionate within, the buddhas and bodhisattvas, in their efforts to subjugate and deliver the Mara devas, vicious deities, evil ghosts, yaksas, and villains who are extremely unreasonable, manifest an external aspect of wrathfulness to subdue these beings so that they may take refuge in the Buddha.
The wrathful guardians in Tibetan Buddhism are unique, and exist for very special reasons. In the early days, the Black Sect, or Bon religion, was widespread, and the worship of nature prevailed. People worshiped the mountains, fire, the cow, the horse, the pig, the snake, etc...
Then, Manjusri Bodhisattva entered Samadhi and manifested Yamantaka (appearing with the head of a cow) to instruct the Tibetans; Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva entered into Samadhi and manifested Hayagriva (appearing with the head of a horse) to instruct the Tibetans; Vairocana entered Samadhi and manifested Vajrayogini (appearing with the head of a pig) to instruct the Tibetans; Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) entered Samadhi and manifested Rahula (appearing with the body of a snake) to instruct the Tibetans. And there were others.
Many of these wrathful guardians are found in Tibetan Buddhism. They are the compassionate emanations of the buddhas, bodhisattvas and gurus to liberate sentient beings utilizing an expedient approach. When a Tantric practitioner cultivates the five wrathful guardian practices and achieves union, he or she is near the level of buddhahood. The wrathful practices of Tantrayana are indeed wonderful and profound.
