Amitabha is the Buddha of Immeasurable Light in Mahayana and Tibetan Buddhism — the red Buddha who presides over the western Pure Land of Sukhavati.
Maitreya is the future Buddha of loving-kindness in Buddhism. Learn what his name means, how to recognize his statue, and how he differs from Tara or Medicine Buddha.
Manjushri is the Bodhisattva of transcendent wisdom, shown with a flaming sword and the Perfection of Wisdom scripture. What he means, and how to recognize him.
Mahakala is the chief protector deity (dharmapala) of Tibetan Buddhism — a wrathful guardian whose fearsome face destroys obstacles to enlightenment, not a demon.
Chenrezig, the Tibetan name for Avalokiteshvara, is the bodhisattva of infinite compassion in Buddhism. Learn his meaning, mantra, and iconography.
Tara is the female bodhisattva of compassion in Tibetan Buddhism. Green Tara acts swiftly to remove fear and obstacles; White Tara heals and grants long life.
A thokcha is a small Tibetan amulet, traditionally cast from meteoric iron and said to have fallen from the sky — worn for protection, not decoration.
Tibetan amber is fossilized tree resin, not a gemstone. In Tibet it is spos shel, ‘fragrant crystal’ — imported by trade and worn with turquoise and coral.
A vajra (Tibetan: dorje) is the ritual scepter of Vajrayana Buddhism, symbolizing the indestructible, diamond-like nature of enlightened mind and skillful action.
Tibetan coral is red coral used in Himalayan jewelry and Buddhist practice — an organic gem from living sea polyps, not a mined mineral, and a classic Tibetan treasure.