Guru Padmasambhawa, the Founder of Lamaism or the Tibetan form of Mahayana Buddhism, is believed to have possessed tremendous power, physical and spiritual which he is known to have used particularly in Tibet subjugating the demonic power of ancient Bon faith practiced by the Tibetans beforehand.

It is an oral tradition that his source of power lay in the artefact he possessed known to his followers as Bajra (Vajra). According to the same tradition, the Bajra he carried was fashioned out of the metallic remains of a meteor or thunderbolt.

According to the same oral tradition, the holder of the Bajra gains tremendous power subject to one condition and that means the power may be used only as an act of benevolence. It is however also believed that if ever the power be used in a selfish mode, the spiritual power of Bajra would forever be lost.

In Nepalese iconography as seen here, and in all places where Lamaism is practiced, Guru Padmasambhawa or more familiarly known as Bajra Guru, is depicted holding the Bajra in his right hand. Guru Padmasambhawa had lived in the eighth century AD and during his life and time biographical accounts used to be freely mixed with fables, it is difficult to tell them apart now.

All that we know however is that Guru Padmasambhawa had established monasteries in Thyangboche in eastern Nepal, Ghoom in Darjeeling, Rumtek in Sikkim and Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan and these acts of benevolence had prompted King Detsen of Tibet to invite him to establish monasteries there. The form of monastic Buddhism Guru Padmasambhawa introduced in Tibet eventually morphed into a new form of Buddhism now known as Lamaism. The Celestial Emperor was mighty pleased with the success of monastic form of Buddhism as a social order, he was pleased to grant the office of the Grand Lama the status of the head of the Government of Tibet.

Although not enough has been written about Guru Padmasambhawa, he stands next to the Buddha himself as the greatest gift of Nepal to Tibet and to the rest of mankind.