Buddhist Pantheon

Tara: Tara is a female Bodhisattva who is worshipped for her assistance in aiding the believer to overcome obstacles on the path of enlightenment. Tara is found in a variety of forms, the most popular being white Tara and green Tara. She is the manifestation of wisdom and as the embodiment of Prajnya, or insight, she is praised and worshipped by all.

Ushnisha-vijaya: Ushnisha-vijaya (Sanskrit), or Tsug Tor Nam Par Gyelma (Tibetan), shortened to Namgyalma, is a Buddha Mother who arises from the Buddha's Crown. The eight-armed goddess Namgyalma is one of three deities associated with longevity and the fulfillment of earthly desires. The other two are White Tara and Amitayus. Namgyalma also represents the Mother of all Buddhas. Like all Buddhist deities, she is essentially a manifestation of Emptiness acting as a bodhisattva. She is able to bestow longevity on beings not for selfish reasons, but for the purpose of helping all others towards enlightenment. She is a purification deity as well, invoked in the presence of the dead, and she is also invoked as a means of settling disputes. The long mantra of Namgyalma is a practice, which is very powerful not only for granting long life but also for purification.

Protector Deities Mahakala: Mahakala or yidam in Tibetan is a kind of highly realized protector deity as well as the guardian of the realm as a whole. He has a terrific form with numerous adornments and attributes that symbolize his ability to destroy all impediments to enlightenment. He exudes tremendous power as a protector along the spiritual path. His terrifying imagery derives from the angry form of the Hindu God Shiva, known as Bhairava.

Vajrabhairava: Vajrabhairava, a terrifying emanation of Manjushri, is one of the most powerful protector deities. He is typically portrayed with numerous arms and heads, with a buffalo head at the center whose horns rise up to enclose another ferocious head, and an assemblage of weapons and symbols befitting a deity wielding the greatest protective powers.