Vajrasattva — The Boddhisattva of Purity

Vajrasattva - རྡོ་རྗེ་སེམས་དཔའ། - 金剛薩埵菩薩

Vajrasattva is the embodiment of the purity of all the Buddhas. Known as Dorje Sempa in Tibetan, he is the brave and heroic one, working for the welfare of others with courage. Vajrasattva stands out among deities, embodying a unique and profound compassion that makes him wonderfully accessible to everyone. Unlike traditional figures, such as Samantabhadra, who represent cosmic wisdom, Vajrasattva radiates warmth and understanding, inviting all who seek him into his embrace. 

With a body white as crystal, peaceful in expression, Vajrasattva holds the vajra in his right hand and the bell in his left, seated upon a moon disc lotus seat. He is adorned with the thirteen peaceful ornaments and wears five silken garments, glowing with the splendour of the five wisdoms. 

His hundred-syllable mantra is famed for its power to purify obscurations and cleanse negative karma. The sacred chant is transformative, much like a healing medicine, possessing unmatched strength to swiftly eliminate karmic obscurations. 

Iconography of Vajrasattva

    Beyond Obstacles, Guiding the Lost Ones

    Vajrasattva's journey was quite remarkable, filled with challenges that shaped his path. Throughout it all, he faced hurdles, sometimes stumbling by mistake or inadvertently straying from his commitments to his teachers and the teachings. Yet, through unwavering dedication and hard work, he gradually began to uncover his true essence. As Vajrasattva grew, so did his compassion and concern for all living beings around him. 

    He observed that many, like himself, struggled with mindfulness, often falling into unhelpful habits while losing sight of their commitments. Driven by deep empathy, he aspired to attain Buddhahood, not just for himself, but to support others in overcoming their own challenges and missteps. 

    As he approached full enlightenment, Vajrasattva made a heartfelt and profound aspiration. Recognizing the weight of his past mistakes, he committed to being a Buddha who would help purify the confusion clouding the hearts of all beings. He vowed, "Once I achieve Buddhahood, I want to ensure that any sentient being, no matter their misdeeds, who hears my name or recites the hundred-syllable mantra can experience purification. If I cannot fulfill this promise, I will not attain Buddhahood. My deepest wish is to assist those who have faltered in their commitments to find clarity and healing."  

    References

    • Rinpoche, G., & Rinpoche, T. N. (1987). Commentaries on the Practice Of Vajrasattva . Mirror of Wisdom Publications. 
    • Phuntsok, Y. (2015). Vajrasattva Meditation: An Illustrative Guide. Wisdom Publication. 

    Other forms of Vajrasattva

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