What’s a “Vajra“?
Vajra, वाजरा, is Sanskrit/Hindi for “Diamond Thunderbolt“; in Tibet, it is called “Dorje“, in China 金剛 “Jīn Gāng“, and in Japan 金剛 “Kongō“. Vajra are ritual scepters seen in Buddhist and Hindu rites and art.
Symbolically, the Vajra represents the flash of wisdom and indestructible truth cutting through illusion and ignorance with the irresistible force of a thunderbolt.
Originally, Vajra were weapons, ranging in size and function from dagger, mace, trident to javelin.
Ancient and Cross cultural depictions of Indra (the Hindu King of the Gods, also the God of Thunder and War)…
and Zeus (the Greek Ruler of the Gods, also the God of Thunder) with the same Thunderbolt.
Interestingly, Mjolnir, the hammer of the Norse God of Thunder, Thor, carries the same symbolic meaning as the Vajra — truth smashing through illusion.
Mjolnir literally means “crusher”, but the root word, coming from either Russian or Welsh sources could also mean “Lightning”.
In the west, the Mace carries a similar association as a Vajra, originally a battlefield weapon that transformed over time to a ceremonial scepter used as both a self-defense implement, and ritual item.
When the mace was still in actual use as a weapon, it was deemed fit for close-protection, and hence a mace-bearer could be a bodyguard.
Thus in French and Dutch, a massier (armed with a masse d’armes ‘weapon-mace’) could be a member of a formally so-styled guard corps, thus is the root and meaning of my surname, Mace.
So, the metaphor of a Vajra superimposed with my surname, paralleling my commitment to my students, to help them “Look within to Reveal and Heal your True Self!”
Earth ~ 地 Chi (Dì) – North – Spring – Green
Water ~ 水 Sui (Shuǐ ) – West – Summer – Blue
Fire ~ 火 Ka (Huǒ) – South – Autumn – Red
Earth ~ 風 Fū (Fēng) – East – Winter – Yellow
Aether ~ 空 Kū (Kōng) – Center – Year – White/Black
“There will come a day when people of all races, colors, and creeds will put aside their differences. They will come together in love, joining hands in unification, to heal the Earth and all Her children. They will move over the Earth like a great Whirling Rainbow, bringing peace, understanding and healing everywhere they go. Many creatures thought to be extinct or mythical will resurface at this time; the great trees that perished will return almost overnight. All living things will flourish, drawing sustenance from the breast of our Mother, the Earth.
The great spiritual Teachers who walked the Earth and taught the basics of the truths of the Whirling Rainbow Prophecy will return and walk amongst us once more, sharing their power and understanding with all. We will learn how to see and hear in a sacred manner. Men and women will be equals in the way Creator intended them to be; all children will be safe anywhere they want to go. Elders will be respected and valued for their contributions to life. Their wisdom will be sought out. The whole Human race will be called The People and there will be no more war, sickness or hunger forever.” ~ Navajo-Hopi Prophecy of the Whirling Rainbow
