vajra

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(Sanskrit; Tib., rdo-rje). Originally, the thunderbolt weapon of the vedic god Indra in early Indian religion, the term later also denoted a diamond. The Buddhist use of the term combines these two meanings to connote the indivisible and imperishable nature of enlightenment (bodhi). While maintaining this significance in its literature, a vajra in tantric Buddhism also refers to the double-headed ritual implement, usually made of metal, with one, three, five, or nine prongs at each end. When paired with the ritual bell (ghaṇṭā) in Tibetan Buddhism, the vajra symbolizes skilful means (upāya-kauśalya) in contrast to insight (prajñā). In Japanese Shingon, the vajra is associated with the concept of the Vajra Realm which is derived from the Sarva-tathāgata-tattva-saṃgraha.

vajra