Tibetan: Yi dam
Samnskrit: Istadevata
Yidam are fully enlightened being who is the focus of personal meditation during a retreat or for life. A Yidam represents the specific Buddha-form and is similiar to the student basic nature to become a Buddha. A student visualizes the outstanding qualities of the yidam until he's one with it. Yidam can be both masculine and feminine corresponding to the nature of the practitioner. Yidam deities are used as a means of transformation towards enlightnment. Some traditions consider yidam to be the emanation of the adept's mind. Therefore they are called mind-bound deities as their nature resembles to the mind. They have no real existence as are Sombhogakaya Buddha forms emanated from enlightened mind. The purpose of this deity yoga is to take the form of the deity and actualize the Buddha activities during meditation. One characteristic feature of yidam is the sexual imagery found in Highest Yoga Tantra (Anuttara Tantra). Personal deity is usual assigned by the Spiritual Guru in acordance with the students' personality or life circumstances or karma. It is also said that sometimes the yidam chooses the student.