Vajradhara
Vajradhara
is the primordial Buddha, the embodiment of all the
Buddhas of the three time periods, and the essence of the
three kayas or bodies of the Buddha. Vajradhara also
represents the Dharmakaya Buddha and therefore, the
ultimate aspect of Enlightenment.
The Drukpa lineage traces the origin of its transmission to Vajradhara as he is truly the manifestation of the supreme essence of Buddhahood. With his right hand holding the dorje (symbolizing "method"), his left hand holding the bell (symbolizing wisdom), and the two crossed over his chest, Vajradhara is the ultimate representation of non-duality and emptiness, which is indeed the "Mahamudra", the Great Union - the ultimate realization sought by all practitioners of the Drukpa lineage.