Human world

Wrathful deities

Painting thangka of the Holder of the Victorious White Parasol Ushnishasitapatra (Sanskrit)
Tibet, 18th century
Accession Number 53.87.48

Ushnishasitapatra is a powerful deity, associated with protection and meditation. She has a thousand arms, legs and heads, with three eyes in each face, one in the palm of each hand and one in the sole of each foot. Beneath her feet she is crushing the enemies of Buddhism.

The many wrathful deities of Tibetan Buddhism can be divided into two types:

• Dharmapalas (protectors) who guard the dharma (teachings) against the negative influences in the universe.
• Yidam (personal deities) who guard individuals on their paths to enlightenment. They stand for the possible violence of the human mind, which can change into a force for good through meditation.

Both groups appear fierce, with a third eye, flaming hair and often many limbs, but they are, in essence, compassionate.