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by Micha F. Lindemans

In Buddhism, Yama is the god of death and judge of the death. He belongs to the Dharmapalas (a group of protective deities), but after he was defeated by Yamantaka he rules over Naraka, the netherworld. Ever since his defeat Yama and Yamantaka are eternal enemies.

In Tibet, where he is called Schindsche, he is portrayed with the head of a bull or standing on a bull, while having sexual intercourse (Yab-Yum) with a woman. In China he is called Yan-lo and in Japan he is known as Emma-o (or Emma-ten).