. . . the ninja of Japan were trained in eighteen fundamental areas of knowledge covering expertise in both the physical and mental. (10 - 18 are listed below)

• 10. Hensojutsu (disguise and impersonation)
  Essential to the ninja's espionage work was his ability to assume false identities and move undetected through his area of operation. More than merely putting on a costume, the ninja's disguise system involved thoroughly impersonating the character adopted. He or she literally became the new personality, whether taking the role of a monk, craftsman, or traveling entertainer.

• 11. Shinobi iri (stealth and entering methods)
  The ninja's techniques of silent movement, breaking and entering, and gaining access to inaccessible areas became legendary in Japan. Togakure ryu ninja learned special walking and running methods for covering long distances, passing over floors silently, and staying in the shadows in order to facilitate entry and escape.

• 12. Bajutsu (horsemanship)
  Togakure ryu ninja were taught to be proficient on horseback, both in riding and mounted combat skills.

• 13. Sui ren (water training)
  Stealth swimming, silent movement through water, methods of using special boats and floats to cross over water, and underwater combat techniques were taught to Togakure ryu ninja.

• 14. Bo-ryaku (strategy)
  Unconventional tactics of deception and battle, political plots, and advantageous timing for use of current events were used by Togakure ryu ninja. By employing or influencing seemingly outside forces to bring the enemy around to doing what the ninja wanted him to do, ninja were able to work their will without drawing undue attention to themselves.

• 15. Cho ho (espionage)
  Methods of successful espionage were perfected. This included ways of locating and recruiting spies and served as a guide for using espionage agents most effectively. 16. Intonjutsu (escape and concealment) Ninja were experienced masters in the ways of using nature to cover their exit, allowing them to "disappear" at will. The goton-po (five elements of escape) were based on a working familiarity with the creative use of earth, water, fire, metal, and wood aspects of nature and the environment.

• 17. Ten-mon (meteorology)
  Forecasting and taking advantage of weather and seasonal phenomena was an important part of any battle consideration. Ninja were trained to observe all the subtle signals from the environment in order to predict weather conditions.

• 18. Chi-mon (geography)
  Knowing and successfully using the features of the terrain were crucial skills in the historical art of ninjutsu.

. . . Dorje, meaning literally "lord of stones" is the Tibetan word for the Sanskrit vajra. In ancient India it was the weapon of Indra, king of the Vedic gods, who hurled it as a thunderbolt to defeat enemies of his people. In Tantric Buddhism it has been made into a small scepter, symbolizing the power of universal compassion; unbreakable as a diamond and powerful as a thunderbolt. When the practitioner holds the dorje in the right hand, it reminds him or her of the supremacy of love and compassion in the enlightened universe.