Yidams
The yidam is a deity representing enlightenment in a male or female, peaceful or wrathful form, who corresponds to the individual psychological makeup of the practitioner. Yidams are manifestations of the sambhogakaya. They are visualized during meditative practice and are regarded as being inseparable from the mind of the meditator. In short, a yidam is the practitioner’s personal or main deity for tantra practice; i.e., the deity with which the practitioner has the strongest connection. The yidam is sometimes referred to as one’s meditational deity or one’s tutelary deity. However, you only practice the rules and rituals of your own yidam after learning exoteric dharma and deeply penetrating vajrayana Buddhism. Your vajra master will initiate you into these practices when the time is appropriate. Even after establishing contact with your yidam, you must still abide by the rules and samaya precepts and continue your cultivation as established in "What Is Cultivation."