Esoteric Buddhism and the Tantras in East Asia

(Ben Green) #1

. central divinities 109


Dhāraṇī-pitakạ ).^54 Both are ritual works; the former belongs to the
dispensation of Esoteric Buddhist texts associated with Amoghavajra,
while the latter, a more comprehensive work, seems to post-date
Amoghavajra. Kuṇḍalī is an emanation of Ratnasambhava and thus
forms part of the Five Vidyārājas group.
Yamāntaka, Vanquisher of Death, is sometimes known as Mahātejas.
This vidyārāja is usually depicted with multiple heads, arms, and legs


(^54) T. 1212.
Figure 9. Trailokyavijaya. Line-drawing based on ninth century painting from
Dunhuang. Courtesy of KAW.

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