Deeply influenced by Tibet’s native Bon religion, Hinduism, Shamanistic faith, and the Tantric side of Buddhist thought, Tibetan Buddhism abounds with Tibetan gods and demons, some of whom are benign while others are hideous and bloodthirsty demons.

So, whether you are a traveler intrigued by Buddhist demonology or a Buddhist keen to learn more about demonic deities and mythology of Tibetan Buddhism for your next Tibet adventure, we’ve got you covered!

In this article, we will walk you through the top 8 Tibetan Buddhist demons and offer you the top things to do to explore these Tibetan gods and demons while traveling in Tibet.

Yama: the Lord of Death and the King of Tibetan Buddhist Demons

If you’ve wondered who the king of Tibetan demons is, meet the Yama, the god of death in Tibetan Buddhism.

In Tibetan Thangkas or murals in Tibetan monasteries, Yama Dharmaraja is often portrayed as a wrathful deity with three bulging eyes, sharp teeth, and a fierce expression. He either stands trampling on the human body or sits astride an animal mount with human skulls around his neck.

This wrathful deity has the authority to determine whether one has been a good person in his life, or whether he has not, meaning if you want to achieve Nirvana, you better be in his good books when your body perishes and your soul arrives at his palace.

He is famous for trying to viciously kick his own mother, and, as a result, bearing the curse of a on horseback, often trampling groups of people.

Yama, the lord of death in Tibetan Buddhism.

Mahakala (Nagpo Chenpo): Great Black One, a Wrathful Tantric Deity

Another popular Tibetan Buddhist demon is Mahakala (Nagpo Chenpo), often referred to as the Great Black One. This black and six-armed Tibetan Buddhist demon is believed to be the wrathful manifestation of Chenresig and is also related to the Hindu god Shiva.

Mahakala is black as a water-laden cloud, with fanged teeth, wearing a cloak of elephant skin and a tiara of skulls. He carries a trident and skullcup and has flaming hair.

In Tibet, Mahakala is often featured in talismans and Tibetan Thangkas hanging in local Tibetans’ houses for Tibetans believe that the fierce Mahakala is a protective deity who can shield them from evil spirits and bad fortune.

There are a variety of Mahakalas noted in ancient scripture. They each serve their purpose for us earthly beings, some helping to guide us on our path to enlightenment, others helping us to become more wealthy in this physical world. The black one we discuss here is of the first variety, and he can be distinguished by what he holds in his hands: a skull and a trident.

Mahakala, a wrathful Tibetan demon and protector in Tibetan Buddhism.

Yamantaka (Dorje Jigje): the Destroyer of Yama & Protector of the Gelugpa Sect

Yamantaka (Dorje Jigje) is the favorite protector of the Gelugpa sect in Tibetan Buddhism and is also known as the wrathful form of Jampelyang, and the destroyer of Yama (the Lord of Death). Also, learn about the top 6 Gelugpa monasteries in Tibet.

Unlike other Tibetan Buddhist demons, Yamantaka has a blue-colored buffalo head and wears a garland of skulls around his neck and a belt of skulls around his waist, and holds a skull cup, butcher’s chopper, and a flaying knife in his 34 arms. He tramples on eight Hindu gods, eight mammals, and eight birds with his 16 feet.

With a seething facial expression, Yamantaka is meant to be directed at Yama, the god he is on a mission to destroy.

Yamantaka, the destroyer of the Yama in Tibetan Buddhism.

Vajrapani (Chana Dorje): the Wrathful Bodhisattva of Energy

Vajrapani (Chana Dorje) is the wrathful Bodhisattva of Energy, which literally means “thunderbolt in hand”.

In his right hand Vajrapani holds a thunderbolt (dorje or vajra), and so is often prayed to during times of droughts or floods. He is blue with a tiger skin around his waist and a snake around his neck. Together with Chenresig and Jampelyang, he forms part of the trinity known as the Rigsum Gonpo.

Vajrapani, the Tibetan Buddhist demon with a thunderbolt.

Vaisravana (Kubera): the God of Wealth in Tibetan Buddhism

With a comparatively less frightening and demonic look than other Tibetan demons, Vaisravana (Kubera) is believed to be the god of wealth in Tibetan Buddhism.

He holds a victory banner made of colored fluttering silks in his right hand, a gift from the gods. In his left hand, he holds a black mongoose, which spits out a flood of colored jewels that collect on the moon disc below.

Look closely, you can see that Vaisravana wears gold armor and is adorned with a crown of gold and jewels, earrings. He sits in a relaxed posture with his right leg extended atop a roaring snow lion.

According to the ancient text, it took one thousand years of good work for Vaisravana to be deemed a god, but once he was, he was extremely highly revered. The people looked to him as their trusted guardian of wealth.

Vaisravana is a popular Tibetan god that brings good luck and fortune.

Hayagriva (Tamdrin): the Horse-necked Vengeful Tibetan Demon

Manifesting from the Buddha of compassion, Hayagriva, represents the passion that lies at the heart of anger. In other words, he is the embodiment of what has been Referred to as “fierce energy.”

Tibetan Buddhists look to this spirit when they encounter struggles in their lives. With his help, they can channel their upset into overcoming any difficulty that presents itself in their path.

As its nickname suggests, he may be recognized easily by his three faces, which are that of a horse. On top of the head are three small green horse heads.

The purpose of the horse? It symbolizes enlightenment, for the horse’s neigh has long been attributed to the clarity of the mind, the ability to see past false pretenses that can entrap us in superfluous earthly “problems”.

Hayagriva, the horse-necked demon in Tibetan Buddhism.

Palden Lhamo (Shri Devi): a Tantric Buddhist Goddess

Of all the Tibetan Buddhist demons, Palden Lhamo (Shri Devi) is the only female deity that is believed to be the special protector of Lhasa, the Dalai Lama, and the Gelugpa order. She is also taken as the female counterpart of Mahakala.

Some believe that Palden Lhamo probably originates from the Hindu goddess Kali. She is blue, wears clothes of tiger skin, rides on a saddle of human skin, and has earrings made of a snake.

She uses the black and white dice around her waist to determine people’s fates. She holds the moon in her hair, the sun in her belly, and a corpse in her mouth, and rides a wild ass with reins of poisonous snakes and an eye in its rump.

Palden Lhamo, the only female protective deity of Lhasa.

If you happen to visit Lhasa city like Potala Place, or Jokhang Temple, you will be likely to see her frescos on the wall of the Tibetan monasteries as Palden Lhamo is one of its protectors and it is because of her affiliation with it that it has become so hallowed.

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Ekajati: A Fierce Protectress of Tibetan Nyingma Sect

Do you find yourself attracted to power and darkness? Ekajati will probably be the most interesting to you. She’s known to be the most potent, dark female deity.

She’s easily recognized for she has only one eye, one tooth, one breast, her hair is always wrapped up in a bun, and she is most often found stomping on what is supposed to be the “corpse of the ego.”

The point of all these solo attributes? Her only having one of all these major body parts is supposed to signify that she is at one with the universe and with its creator and represents the power of concentration. Learn the top 3 Nyingma sect monasteries in Lhoka.

Ekajati, a female protector of the Tibetan Nyingma sect.

Begtse: The Lord of War with Three Blood-shot Eyes & Red Skin

Finally, we come to the god of war, i.e. Begtse. He is most appreciated by the Sakya sects of Tibetan Buddhism, where they pray to her through meditative practices, like tantra.

When it comes to her portrayal in art, you’re most likely to see her in the form of coral masks, which represent her affiliation with combat. Different from the black and six-armed Mahakala, Begtse has red skin wields a sword in his right hand, holds a human heart in his left hand, and wears a tiara of skulls.

Begtse, the wrathful god of war in Tibetan Buddhism.

Bonus: 4 Great Ways to Explore Tibetan Buddhist Demons in Tibet

Having discussed so much about Tibetan gods and demons, if you plan to visit Tibet to explore Tibetan Buddhist Demons in person, as a local Tibet travel agency since 1984, here are the 4 best ways recommended:

1. Join the Guided Tibetan Monastery Tour

Joining a guided Tibetan monastery tour is one of your go-to choices for discovering Tibetan Buddhist demonology and profound Tibetan Buddhism.

You can travel with our local experts to admire the exquisitely made murals in mysterious and holy Tibetan monasteries and listen attentively to our local Tibean guide, vividly explaining the intriguing Buddhist stories and legends behind the murals and Buddhist displays.

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For example, since Tibetans believe in Rebirth, Karma, and Merit, one of the main beliefs of Tibetan Buddhism, as you explore Sera Monastery in Lhasa, our local guide will walk you through the mural, depicting the Yama, the lord of death, holding the Wheel of Life in his mouth, weighing up the good and bad deeds of one’s lifetime to decide whether one should stay in the human world or be punished to the animal realm in the next life.

2. Attend Joyous Tibetan Festivals

If you are not content with admiring the Tibetan Buddhist gods and demons on murals and Thangkas, then visiting Tibet during vibrant Tibetan festivals is another great choice to explore Tibetan gods and demons in the real world.

For instance, during the Tibetan New Year festival (or Losar Festival) and Saga Dawa festival, you can watch the mysterious cham dance performed at Tsurphu, Mindroling, and Tashilhunpo monasteries to dispel the evil of the old year and auspiciously usher in the new one.

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During the cham dance, Tibetan monks will wear the masks of Tibetan deities like Mahakala, Palden Lhamo, Begtse, etc. to display the classic Buddhist stories through choreography. You can’t afford to miss it for culture explorers.

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Before you head to Tibet, please email us to ensure the exact date of these cultural performances and we will help you process Tibet Travel Permit for free to board the flight or train to Lhasa.

3. Visit the Thangka Painting workshop in a Monastery or Workshop in Lhasa

Apart from appreciating Tibetan murals, another great way to learn more about Tibetan gods and demons is by visiting the Tibetan Thangka painting workshop in Lhasa.

Visit Tibetan Thangka workshop to learn more about Tibetan Buddhist demons.

With the help of our local experts, you can learn from the Thangka craftsmen to paint Tibetan protective deities yourself and discover Buddhist stories like never before or watch the giant Thangka display during the Shoton festival in August in Drepung Monastery in Lhasa.

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4. Explore Tibetan Meditation Retreats

For devoted Buddhist travelers, another ultimate solution to explore Tibetan Buddhist demons and deities is to explore holy Tibetan meditation retreats like Drak Yerpa, where you can follow the footsteps of legendary Tibetan masters like Guru Rinpoche, Atisha, etc to mediate in the sacred mediation caves and learn the story of how Buddhist masters subdue demons to bring peace to local monasteries and Tibetans.

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Conclusion

Tibetan Buddhist demons and gods are essential parts of rich Tibetan Buddhist culture. Hopefully, you find this article helpful. If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to email us for free inquiry. As the largest local Tibetan travel agency in Lhasa, we will provide all the travel services needed for an authentic and immersive experience in Tibet.