| At first glance, the Tibetan dorje symbol appears to be | | | | Relative truth is what we experience in everyday life, |
| a weapon. But the dorje symbol is not a weapon, it is | | | | conversely, absolute truth is the timeless state of being |
| a ritual object. In Tibetan Buddhism, the dorje symbol is | | | | unified with nature and everything around us. The bell |
| inseparable with the bell. In Tantric Buddhism, the bell | | | | and dorje symbol can also be meditated on, because |
| represents the feminine, and the dorje represents the | | | | we must balance both the masculine and feminine |
| masculine, or the dorje represents a thunderbolt, and | | | | elements within us in order to reach enlightenment. |
| the bell represents a diamond. The bell can also | | | | Each part of the dorje symbol has a certain meaning. |
| represent the body, while the dorje represents the | | | | The two spheres of the dorje joined together in the |
| mind. In Buddhist ceremonies in Tibet, the bell and the | | | | middle represent the two sides of the brain. This dual |
| dorje are always used together. The dorje can be | | | | nature in the dorje itself can also represent the body, |
| used to strike the bell. When holding the dorje and bell | | | | mind, or masculine, feminine, etc. Just as in other types |
| together, the dorje is held in the right hand, and the bell | | | | of eastern philosophy and religion such as the yin yang |
| is in the left hand. | | | | symbol, this duality is represented in the dorje. |
| The Tibetan Buddhist deity, Vajrasattva, is commonly | | | | The spheres represents sunyata, the primordial nature |
| shown holding the dorje in the right hand and the bell in | | | | of the universe. There are two sides of the dorje, and |
| the left hand. Other Buddhas who are pictured with the | | | | these represent two lotus flowers joined together, one |
| dorje are Vajrapani, and Padmasambhava. In Tibetan, | | | | side is for the phenomenal world (samsara), the other |
| dorje translates to 'noble stone.' | | | | is for the noumenal world (nirvana). The three rings in |
| The dorje symbol came to Tibetan Buddhism from | | | | the center of the dorje represent the spontaneous |
| Hinduism. In Sanskrit, dorje is called 'vajra.' Vajra means, | | | | bliss of Buddha nature as emptiness, effortlessness, |
| 'thunderbolt' or 'diamond,' and the vajra is indestructible. | | | | and signlessness. The eight upper petals represent the |
| The vajra is like a diamond, because it can destroy, but | | | | eight bodhisattvas, and the eight lower petals |
| it cannot be destroyed. The vajra represents spiritual | | | | represent their consorts. Above the lotuses, there are |
| power. In Hinduism, the vajra is the weapon of Indra | | | | three rings. These rings represent the six perfections, |
| (the god of rain, lightning, and the sky). The vajra | | | | patience, generosity, discipline, effort, meditation, and |
| symbol also destroys ignorance. The vajra is the | | | | wisdom. |
| symbol of Vajrayana Buddhism, one of the three | | | | The double dorje symbol is known as the vishvavajra. |
| major branches of Buddhism. Vajrayana Buddhism is | | | | It is also known as the double cross. This symbol is |
| also known as the 'Thunderbolt Way' or the 'Diamond | | | | made when two dorjes are mounted together. The |
| Way.' | | | | double dorje symbol is often used as a stamp or a |
| The vajra is often used as a tool in meditation. | | | | seal, and placed on the bottom of statues and |
| Practitioners can meditate on the vajra to achieve the | | | | pendants. When the dorje or the double dorje sign are |
| 'thunderbolt experience.' The thunderbolt experience is | | | | worn as pendants, they remind the wearer of the |
| a symbol of union of the relative and absolute truths. | | | | indestructibility of knowledge. |