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The Symbolism of the Sacred Thunderbolt or Diamond Sceptre of the Lamas

by Sangharakshita

The vajra (symbolises the union of opposites and the Transcendental 'power' that breaks through all obstacles to Enlightenment. The image of the vajra came to represent reality itself, so that Tantric Buddhism is also known as the Vajrayana, or path of reality.

N.B. A few minutes of poor sound quality.

Talk given in 1971.

This talk is part of the series Creative Symbols of the Tantric Path to Enlightenment.

Tracks (click play to listen)

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	1.	Why are the Three Jewels so called? (13:08)
	2.	What does vajra mean? (5:55)
	3.	Early symbolical associations of the vajra (6:50)
	4.	Akshobya and Vajrapani (6:44)
	5.	Description of the vajra (8:32)
	6.	Vajra epithets (10:10)
	7.	The symbol of the lotus and of the Five Buddhas (7:22)
	8.	The Five Wisdoms (4:38)
	9.	The Five Mental Poisons (2:44)
	10.	Unifying the symbols of the vajra (3:02)
	11.	Mythical beasts (6:34)
	12.	Vajradhara - holder of the vajra, and Vajrasattva (8:32)