金刚手菩萨因手持金刚杵，并且常侍于佛祖身侧，被敬称为金刚手菩萨。因其具有降魔伏怪的巨大神力，在藏区僧俗心中，金刚手菩萨是众护法神灵之主。
金刚手菩萨为统摄财宝天王（毘沙门）与财神护法等夜叉部之主尊， 亦为象头王、龙王、阿修罗之部尊。与观音、文殊三尊合为「三族姓尊」。（雪域三怙主）、“事部三怙主”，分别代表“伏恶、慈悲、智慧”三种特质，也为“八大菩萨”（文殊、普贤、虚空藏、地藏王、观世音、金刚手、弥勒、除盖障）之一。
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Vajrapani, Bodhisattva (Tibetan: chag na dor je. English: the Vajra Holder): one of the eight heart-sons of the Buddha Shakyamuni according to Mahayana Buddhism.
In the Sutra tradition of Mahayana Buddhism the bodhisattva Vajrapani is regarded as one of the Eight Heart-sons of Shakyamuni Buddha and portrayed in a peaceful appearance.
In the tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism, Vajrapani is more typically shown in a wrathful form and known as Guhyapati - 'the Lord of Secrets.' He is the said to be the main recipient, holder, and protector of all the Tantra texts, literature, and teachings received from the Buddha Shakyamuni (in the appearance of Vajradhara Buddha).
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