About Yamantaka

Yamantaka is a wrathful manifestation of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Stainless Wisdom. One of the three Kingly Tantras of the Gelug Tibetan Buddhist tradition, his practice utilises anger as a means to purify delusions. It offers a profound and quick method to achieve higher attainments, and has the potential to purify tremendous amounts of negative karma, especially those of the most heinous crimes. It also grants powerful protection against the most wrathful spirits, black magic and curses.

According to the lineage known as Solitary Hero Vajrabhairava, Yamantaka arises with 9 heads, 32 hands and 16 legs that support his short and stout body. His central head is that of a fierce buffalo and his topmost head is that of Yellow Manjushri. Each face has three large round eyes, bared fangs, frightful expressions, and brown hair flowing upward like flames. His hands hold many weapons and tantric implements, which represent the benefits and completeness of his practice as a path to full enlightenment, and his legs step upon various gods and animals.

Contrary to initial impressions, Yamantaka does not harm but instead focuses his wrath at our negative emotions and self-grasping ways. He is known as the ultimate destroyer of the Lord of Death and to behold him is to behold his ferocious compassion.

Keeping his image and making offerings to him will plant seeds of highest awakening in our mindstream and create a connection to receive his practice in the future.

Further Reading

• Advice to a YAMANTAKA Initiate
• The Ferocious Yamantaka
• I Am Yamantaka, therefore I Can
• Tsem Tulku Rinpoche explains YAMANTAKA