Dorje

Dorje is a Tibetan term meaning "thunderbolt" or "diamond." In Tibetan Buddhism and the broader Vajrayana tradition, it corresponds to the Sanskrit vajra and refers both to a symbolic concept and to a ritual object used in ceremonies. The dorje represents indestructibility, spiritual power, and the union of method and wisdom.

As a ritual implement, the dorje is used to evoke and confer blessing, and it is commonly paired with a bell (dril) to symbolize the inseparability of compassion and insight. In practice, practitioners may hold the dorje during prayers, initiations, and visualizations, using its symbolic firmness to focus the mind.

Objects named dorje vary in material and form, but most are metal (such as brass or bronze) and may be gilded. A typical dorje features a short haft and a central body from which two opposite prongs extend, representing decisive clarity and stability. The dorje is usually held in the right hand, often alongside the bell in the left.

In addition to its ceremonial use, dorje is also a common given name in Tibetan-speaking regions, with several spellings including Dorjee, Dorji, and Dorje. The name appears in the titles of teachers, scholars, and monasteries. A notable religious reference is Dorje Shugden, a protector deity invoked within some Gelugpa lineages; the worship of this deity has been the subject of significant debate and controversy within Tibetan Buddhism.

Dorje, as a concept and ritual object, remains a central symbol in Tibetan Buddhist practice, embodying the principle of unwavering, enlightened energy.