Dharma Protectors

Dharma Protectors (Skt. dharmapāla, Wyl. chos skyong) - eities whose role is to protect the teachings and practitioners. They are sometimes emanations of buddhas or bodhisattvas, and sometimes spirits and demons who have beeen subjugated and bound under oath by great practitioners, such as Guru Padmasambhava. Among the best known are Ekajati, Mahakala, Dza Rahula and Damchen Dorje Lekpa.