What is vajrakilya?

Vajrakilaya (Tibetan: རྡོ་རྗེ་འཇིགས་བརྒྱུད་) is a wrathful deity in Tibetan Buddhism who embodies the transformation of negative energies and emotions into positive virtues. This deity is associated with the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and is often depicted as a blue, multi-armed figure holding various implements, including a vajra (thunderbolt) and a phurba (ritual dagger).

As a protector deity, Vajrakilaya is believed to be capable of vanquishing negative forces and obstacles, cutting through ignorance and delusion, and purifying negative karma. The practice of Vajrakilaya is considered to be particularly powerful for removing obstacles to spiritual practice and for clearing the mind of obstacles to insight and realization.

The Vajrakilaya sadhana (ritual) involves visualization, mantra recitation, and ritual actions such as the wielding of the phurba and the offering of tormas (ritual cakes). The practice is said to be both fierce and joyful, helping the practitioner to transform negative energies into positive virtues and attain spiritual realization.

In addition to the Nyingma tradition, Vajrakilaya is also found in other Tibetan Buddhist schools such as the Kagyu and Gelug.