These protectors of Buddhist teachings destroy obstacles that impede the path to enlightenment. Their frightening and gruesome appearance reflects their great capacity to overcome external and internal obstacles.
In Tantric Buddhist traditions there are two kinds of deities that appear wrathful, with flaming hair, bulging eyes, open mouths showing fangs, and adornments of garlands of severed heads, snakes, and bone ornaments.
One kind of wrathful deity includes enlightened beings that assume fierce guises to perform protective functions or remove obstacles. Although they may look like demons, these deities are considered wrathful manifestations of wisdom and method. The other kind includes unenlightened, indigenous gods that were incorporated into Buddhism and bound by oath to protect a tradition or lineage of tantric teachings.
