Just as maras can take
the most benevolent manifestations,
Bodhisattvas can take
the most wrathful manifestations.
[Form is not the substance.]
The picture is of the wrathful manifestation
of Manjusri, the Bodhisattva of wisdom,
as Yamantaka, the destroyer of death,
for subduing the wrathfully deluded.
Evil doers always bully those who are good – natured, as they think they can get away with it. Evil don’t fear good, evil fears only evil.
I guess that’s why Boddhisatvas take the form of wrathful beings, in order to subdue the evil.
Form is not the substance. Guided by compassion and wisdom, we will do what the situation requires us to do. If we don’t develop compassion and wisdom, then we will just be doing what we want to do which may not be what the situation requires us to do. Guess I better work hard to develop compassion and wisdom.