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Vajrapani (Sanskrit Vajra:thunderbolt/diamond, Pani:lit.in the hand) is one of the earliest bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism. He is the protector and
guide of the Buddha, and rose to symbolize the Buddha's power.
Vayrapani was used extensively in Buddhist iconography as one of the three protective deities surrounding the Buddha. Each of
them symbolizes one of the Buddha's virtues:Manjusri (the manifestation of all the
Buddhas' wisdom),Avalokitesvara (the manifestation of all the Buddhas'
compassion)and Vajrapani (the manifestation of all the Buddhas' power).
Iconography
Club-wielding Herculean depiction of Vajrapani as the protector of the Buddha, Kushan
Period, ca. 3rd century Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara) The first representations of Vajrapani in India associated him with the Hindu God Indra.
As Buddhism expanded in Central Asia, and fused with Hellenistic
influences into Greco-Buddhism, the Greek god Hercules was adopted to represent Vajrapani. He was then typically depicted as a hairy, muscular athlete,
wielding a short "diamond" club.
Mahayana Buddhism then further spread to China, Korea and Japan from the
6th century.
In Japan, Vajrapani is known as Shukongooshin (執金剛神, "Diamond rod-wielding God"), and has been the inspiration
for the Nioo (仁王, lit. Two kings),the wrath-filled and muscular guardian god
of the Buddha, standing today at the entrance of many Buddhist temples under the appearance of frightening wrestler-like
statues.
External links:
Images of Shukongooshin in Japan
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