Laughing Lion Lohan: Vajraputra

Playful and free of inhibitions,
The lion cub leaps with joy.
Easily alternating tension with relaxation,
Rejoicing with all living things.

Vajraputra literally means “man of cats.” He was a lion hunter before he was converted to Buddhism. After he had attained enlightenment, a little lion came playfully to his side. The animal seemed to be grateful to him for giving up the life of killing lions, thus sparing its parents and brothers. Since then, Vajraputra and the little lion have become inseparable. The lion, with its earth-shaking roar, symbolizes the invincible might of Buddhism. Therefore, it is very common to find a pair of lions standing guard at the front gate of a Buddhist temple or monastery in China.

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