What is a Dorje? What is a Vajra?
The Dorje is the Tibetan word for the word Vajra, which is a Sanskrit word. A Dorje is therefore the same as a Vajra, both in purpose and meaning.
The Vajra or Dorje is made of a metallic shaft whose main object is the central ball, with an empty sphere at each end made from four, five or nine prongs that come together at the outer ends.
The Dorje or Vajra is a ritualistic instrument symbolically standing for the quality of fastness and one-pointedness. It is a weapon against impurity, and thus represents the hardness and sparkling clarity of the diamond mind.
What is the meaning of the Vajra or the Dorje?
A Dorje or Vajra both have the meaning of a ‘thunderbolt’ or a ‘diamond’, both standing for an irresistible force.
It is clear therefore how the word Vajra finds its application in the Buddha called Vajrasattva, who holds a Vajra in his right hand. Vajrasattva Buddha is the Being of irresistible force of the purifying mind. In the same way the Tibetans have the Dorje in Dorjesempa, the Tibetan equivalent of Vajrasattva which similarly represents the thunderbolt and the diamond mind.
Masculine and Feminine
The Vajra or Dorje is regarded as masculine whereas the Ghanta or Drilbu (bell) is regarded as the feminine equivalent. Thus we see the Buddha Vajrasattva holding the Vajra (Dorje) at his heart in the right hand and the bell in the left hand resting on his knee. Sometimes the bell is seen upturned below the downward pointing a Dorje thus representing masculine and feminine in perfect balance.