Yama is an ancient Hindu god of death, Yama plays a more expanded role in the Tibetan pantheon and has different iconography. Apart of beeing the Lord of the Death , he is also the King of Religion. Furthermore, Yama is one of the eight Dharmapalas in Tibetan Buddhism; hence , he is always shown in a terrifying posture.
The Hindu Yama simply rides a buffalo, but his Buddhist counterpart has the head of a buffalo and rides a blue bull. In fact, the iconography of the Buddhist Yama is far more macabre than that of is Hindu counterpart, who is generally portrayed as a placid, regal figure. When accompanied by his sister Yami, Yam is known as Minister of the Exterior.
In Buddhist Myth, Manjushri has brought this most fearsome god under control as a Dharma protector (Dharmapala) and as such he is a major protector deity in Tibetan Buddhist practice. He is especially important for th Gelugpas, because of Tsong Khapa´s special association with Manjushri, the Conqueror of Yama.
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