Hayagriva (Buddhism)

Hayagriva ("having the neck of a horse", IAST: Hayagrīva) is an important deity in Chinese, Tibetan and Japanese Buddhism. He originated as a yaksha attendant of Avalokiteśvara (Guanyin) in India. Appearing in the Vedas as two separate deities, he was assimilated into the ritual worship of early Buddhism and eventually was identified as a Wisdom King in Vajrayana Buddhism.

For the Hindu deity, see Hayagriva.

Hayagriva's imagery encapsulates his embodiment of a wrathful manifestation of compassion, symbolizing an unwavering determination to surmount internal obstacles and external challenges. Displaying attributes such as a scowling countenance with three penetrating eyes, a raised sword, and symbolic ornaments, Hayagriva conveys an intense resolve in his representation.

In Tibetan Buddhist practices, Hayagriva's significance is linked to his role in curing ailments, especially skin diseases like leprosy that are attributed to nāgas. Furthermore, his role extends to confronting potent adversaries, exemplified through his cosmic battles against the demon Rudra. In Chinese Buddhism, Hayagriva assumes the mantle of a Dharma protector (dharmapala), particularly associated with travel and transportation. This is evidenced by the practice of placing license plates before his image within temples, invoking safeguarding influences for vehicles and their passengers. In the context of Japanese Mahayana Buddhism, he emerges as a form of Avalokiteśvara, with his dominion extending over beings embodying animal-like mental states.

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