Sending a message? Elon Musk baffles Twitter after revealing he keeps a Buddhist vajra – a ritual weapon symbolizing ‘indestructible power’ – on his bedside table
- Musk, 51, offered a rare glimpse into his world this week when he shared a photo of his chaotic bedside table on Twitter
- Littered among the billionaire’s possessions was a vajra, a ritual weapon that symbolizes ‘indestructible power’ and ‘enlightenment’ in Tibetan Buddhism
- It is widely linked to Indra, the thunderbolt-wielding king of the gods in Hindu mythology, who is known as Śakra in Buddhist culture
- The vajra is used to overcome an ‘external or internal obstacle’ and is seen as ‘skillful means leading to the indestructible state of enlightenment’
- Musk is often described as being atheist or agnostic, though he has never specified his religious beliefs in certain terms
- Many eagle-eyed Twitter users questioned what he was trying to convey by showing off the tool, which was placed in front of two replica guns
Elon Musk offered a rare glimpse into his world this week when he shared a photo of his chaotic bedside table, but it’s not just the Diet Coke cans and prop guns that have baffled both his critics and fans.
Littered among the 51-year-old billionaire’s personal possessions was a vajra, a ritual weapon that symbolizes ‘indestructible power’ and ‘enlightenment’ in Tibetan Buddhism.
Musk is often described as being atheist or agnostic, though he has never specified his religious beliefs in certain terms. Many eagle-eyed Twitter users questioned what he was trying to convey by showing off the tool.
Brian Roemmele, founder of the Multiplex app and website, was among those who pointed out the vajra on his bedside table.
Elon Musk, 51, offered a rare glimpse into his world this week when he shared a photo of his chaotic bedside table that was topped with a Buddhist vajra
Littered among the billionaire’s possessions was a vajra, a ritual weapon that symbolizes ‘indestructible power’ and ‘enlightenment’ in Tibetan Buddhism
‘While most of the world is distracted, I see the symbolism that is always present and you and I will decode it,’ he tweeted.
‘This is the Vajra (Dorje). This device goes back to over 30,000 years from the Vedic and Sumerian cultures. Model of a “free energy” [lightning] device from the gods.’
In Sanskrit, vajra means both ‘thunderbolt’ and ‘diamond.’
The vajra most often appears as a weapon and is widely linked to Indra, the thunderbolt-wielding king of the gods in Hindu mythology, who is known as Śakra in Buddhist culture.
It is used to overcome an ‘external or internal obstacle’ and is seen as both a ‘tool of compassion and skillful means leading to the indestructible state of enlightenment,’ according to Tricycle: The Buddhist Review.
The vajra is used to overcome an ‘external or internal obstacle’ and is seen as both a ‘tool of compassion and skillful means leading to the indestructible state of enlightenment’
It is widely linked to Indra, the thunderbolt-wielding king of the gods in Hindu mythology, who is known as Śakra in Buddhist culture (pictured)
The vajra is also a tool for meditation, which Musk has experimented with in the past.
‘You just sort of sit there and be quiet and then repeat some mantra, which acts as a focal point,’ he said of his meditation practice on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast in 2018. ‘It does still the mind, but I don’t find myself drawn to it frequently.’
The SpaceX founder posted the picture of his bedside table without context, and many people wanted to know why he was sleeping next to a vajra.
‘I guess nobody caught that the weirdest thing about Musk’s picture is the vajra next to the toy guns. I’ll let you look up what that is,’ one person tweeted.
Many eagle-eyed Twitter users questioned what he was trying to convey by showing off the tool
‘Everyone’s riffing on the replica guns and the Coke cans, but I haven’t seen anyone address why Elon Musk has a vajra on his bedside table,’ another agreed.
‘The vajra “cleaves through ignorance”… pretty funny of @elonmusk to include this in his bedside paraphernalia,’ someone else commented.
Jowua, a leading provider of Tesla accessories, hinted that the ritual weapon was a gift without offering any explanation.
‘Everyone is talking about the Diet Coke that @elonmusk drinks, but did you not notice the Vajra?’ the company tweeted. ‘Shouldn’t be surprised the richest man in the world would own “one of the most powerful weapons in the universe”! Lovely gift from a friend I’d guess.’
Musk’s picture shows the varja sitting on the corner of the table, in front of not one, but two replica guns.
Musk’s nightstand also displayed a half-empty water bottle, four caffeine-free Diet Coke cans, and not one, but two replica guns
The SpaceX founder shared the snapshot without context, but he did address the condensation rings on his bedside table
One of the revolvers appears to be modeled after the Diamond Back .357 from the Deus Ex: Human Revolution video game.
The other is a copy of George Washington’s flintlock pistol sitting in a wooden box. The open lid displays Emanuel Leutze’s famous painting of Washington crossing the Delaware River during the American Revolution.
Some critics slammed Musk for having the symbolic weapon next to actual weapons.
‘A gun with Vajra doesn’t sit well. They stand for two different things: one for blood and one for peace,’ one Twitter user noted.
‘Pretty cringe. How can you have a Buddhist Vajra right next to a gun?’ someone else asked the Tesla CEO.
WHAT IS A VAJRA?
The vajra is a ritual object associated with Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism.
It is used in Tibetan Buddhism and serves as a symbol of Vajrayana, one of the three major schools of Buddhism.
In Sanskrit, vajra means both ‘thunderbolt’ and ‘diamond.’
It represents ‘indestructible power’ and most often appears as a weapon that is wielded like a club, according to Tricycle: The Buddhist Review.
The vajra is used to overcome an ‘external or internal obstacle’ and is seen as both a ‘tool of compassion and skillful means leading to the indestructible state of enlightenment.’
The tool is widely linked to Indra, the thunderbolt-wielding king of the gods in Hindu mythology, who is known as Śakra in Buddhist culture.
The vajra is also a tool for meditation.
It is typically made of bronze and has five prongs — four outer and one central — that create a lotus shape and represent the five elements, the five poisons, and the five wisdoms.
However, they vary by region and can also have three or nine spokes.
The vajra, bell, and mala prayer beads are the three most important ritual objects in Vajrayana Buddhism.
Sources: Tricycle: The Buddhist Review and Learn Religions
‘You should not have a vajra near a gun. Unacceptable. It’s not a weapon in that sense,’ another insisted.
There were also a number of people who believed Musk was sharing a secret message with the bizarre display.
‘As a whole, seems this may represent @elonmusk fight for freedom/revolution against tyranny (modeled after Washington, founding fathers of US), across physical/political dimension (revolutionary gun), the virtual/digital dimension (Deus Ex gun) and spiritual dimension (Vajra),’ one person theorized.
The richest man in the world also had a half-empty bottle of water and four caffeine-free Diet Coke cans sitting on the nightstand, which was covered with condensation rings from his beverages.
Musk, who has previously spoken about kicking his ‘ridiculous’ caffeine addiction, wrote in a follow-up tweet: ‘There is no excuse for my lack of coasters.’
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