Wrathful Deities
One notable feature of Tibetan Buddhism and other Vajrayana traditions in particular is the use of Wrathful deities. While the deities have a hideous and ferocious appearance, they are not personifications of evil or demonic forces. The ferocious appearance of these deities is used to instill fear in evil spirits which threaten the Dharma.
Wrathful deities are used in worship and devotion with the practice dating to the 8th century having been instituted by Padmasambhava. The origin of these deities comes from mythology in Hinduism, Bon, or other folk deities.
Read more about this topic: Buddhist Mythology
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