Tibetan Buddha Figure & Statue fire-gilded ("gold plated") and color painted head made from bronze

Vajradhara (Tib. Dorje Chang) is regarded as manifestation of Shakyamuni Buddha. In Kagyu order he is considered as primordial Buddha. Out of great compassion Lord Buddha revealed many different means/paths to enlightenment and set forth three Wheels of Law to suit varying degrees of intelligence and receptivities. Shakyamuni Buddha himself was, it is said, in form of Vajradhara while he was teaching tantric path to his gifted disiples. Vajradhara is depicted holding a vajra in his right hand and a bell in his left hand and his arms are kept crossed in front of him expressing complete integration of pranja and upaya. Vajra simbolizes the ultimate reality which is void or nothingness (shunyata) while the bell sybolizes wisdom (prajna).He usually depicted in blue colour in vajraparyanka posture and vajrahunkara mudra. He has a crown, a urna and a ushinsha as of a sambhogakaya Buddha.

Vajradhara is also depicted in father-mother (Aaju-Aji in Newari) aspect. Then he holds his usual symbols while his arms are crossed at back of his consort. The consort is non other than Prajnaparimita in deified form, she holds a skull cup and a curved knife. Vajradhara and Prajnaparimita in yab-yum.