Glossary
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The Voice of the Silence
V
Hard, or powerful. In India, it is the thunderbolt of the god Indra, the heavenly weapon in the form of a disc, or two thunderbolts in X-form. It is also the diamond (being “hard as lightening” or of the same substance as lightening). In Tibet it is the indestructible Dorje the “scepter of diamond,” often used together with a bell (Sk.: Ghanthā) the sound of which penetrates the worlds. According to H.P.B. (T.G.) the Vajra is the magical scepter of the initiated priests, exorcists, and Adepts possessing great powers (Siddhi), using them during certain ceremonies (of control of lower forces, theurgy, etc.). Due to its adamantine transparence, Vajra refers to the pure and undifferentiated essence (called “emptiness” beyond all descriptions), but is also a symbol of the male power of action and compassion of an enlightened Buddha, whereas the bell is traditionally the female symbol representing Wisdom, Prajñā (= Sophia) inseparable from Vajra.
Vajradhāra (Sk.) B. [II 4, III 19]
Diamond-holder. In Lamaism: the Supreme, Primordial Buddha (Ādi-Buddha), who is the origin of all expressions of the Hierarchy of Compassion; the First Logos, according to H.P.B.“As the Lord of all Mysteries (Sk. Guhyapati] he cannot manifest, but sends into the world of manifestation his heart – the ‘Diamond Heart,’ Vajrasattva (Tibetan: Dorjesempa)” (S.D. I, 571). Vajra expresses the indestructibility and spiritually adamantine quality of this “One unknown, without beginning or end” – unknown to the average worldly person, but recognized by full initiates as the source of their divine inspiration and intuitions (E.T.G.). Dorjechang is the Tibetan equivalent of Vajradhāra.
Vajrapāṇi (Sk.) B. [Fragment 2]
“He who handles the Vajra,” or “Holder of the diamond-thunderbolt” (E.T.G.). A great Dhyāni-Bodhisattva, worshiped by the profane as a powerful destroyer of demons, but considered by the Adepts“as a subjective Force the real nature of which is known only to, and explained by the highest Initiates of the Yogāchāra-School” (T.G.). It is an epithet of all the Dhyāni-Bodhisattvas, the guardians and Silent Watchers of the globes of our planetary chain, the spiritual reflections or sons of the Dhyāni-Buddhas. They are born directly from their predecessors subjectively, and have a subjective form of existence (E.T.G.). Also a title given to a Buddha because of his power over evil spirits and elementals.
He who has the Vajra as essence, the “heart of diamond” or the “diamond soul.” It is the name of the sixth Dhyāni-Buddha according to the Yogāchāra School, counting seven of them, instead of five in popular Buddhism (T.G.). Vajrasattva, (the second Logos according to the S.D. I, 571) can also represent the whole collectivity of the Dhyāni-Buddhas, the essence of which, being unmanifested and unlimited, is Ādi-Buddha (or Vajradhāra). Vajrasattva is “the second logos of creation, from whom emanate the seven (in the exoteric blind the five) Dhyāni Buddhas, called the Anupa(pā)daka, ‘the parentless’ ” (S.D. I, 571). Vajrasattva is also a title given to Mahātmas of the highest grade, or to bodhisattvas whose whole personality as a living essence is merged in their compound sixth and seventh principles (Ātman-Buddhi). Vajra here expresses the spiritual adamantine quality of the inner natures of these glorious beings. Vajrasattva is often used for celestial beings, entities belonging to the hierarchy of light or compassion. The Vajrasattva quality is likewise one which can be possessed in less degree by any human being, depending upon his degree of advancement. (E.T.G.).
From the root viranj, to lose its natural color, to become indifferent, to lose all interest in things. Hence: indifference for everything concerning mundane, human matters. See also: Portal.
From Vīra: a courageous, heroic man. Hence: virility, courage, heroic energy. See also Pāramitā and Portal.
Most probably Bodhgayā, in one of the native languages of India. The tree of Vogay’ could be the same as the Bodhi-tree which is venerated by the pilgrims in Bodhgayā. See also Udumbara.
