In Hinduism, Garuda is a powerful winged deity, often understood as a symbol of victory and the mount of the god Vishnu. In Buddhism, Garuda is thought of less as an individual deity, but instead as powerful, horned eagle-like beings called kyung, who support the Buddhist dharma and protect from nagas, serpent-spirits. In Tibetan contexts garuda is conflated with the horned kyung bird, with ancient roots in Bon beliefs.

Published November 10, 2022

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