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The Buddha Vajradhara
The Buddha Vajradhara

The Buddha Vajradhara

Place of OriginTibet
Date1500-1600
MaterialsBronze with gilding, inlaid turquoise, and inlaid coral
DimensionsH. 12 in x W. 9 1/4 in x D. 6 1/4 in, H. 30.5 cm x w. 23.5 cm x D. 15.9 cm
Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection
Object numberB60B165
DepartmentHimalayan Art
ClassificationsSculpture
On View
On view
More Information
Over the course of a millennium in India, the conception of what it meant to be a buddha, literally an “awakened one,” expanded. At first, “buddha” simply referred to the historical figure Shakyamuni. Then, as others practiced the dharma, or Buddhist doctrine. and experienced enlightenment (nirvana), they concluded that, given the infinite temporal scope of the Buddhist cosmos, Shakyamuni could not be unique. There must be a source buddha from whom all others derive. Vajradhara, the “holder of the thunderbolt,” is one form of the original, primordial buddha. In this sculpture, Vajradhara can be identified by his forearms, which are crossed in the thunderbolt-syllable (vajra-humkara) gesture. Two lotuses on Vajradhara’s shoulders support a thunderbolt and a bell. The thunderbolt on his right shoulder represents the male principle of strategic spiritual action (upaya), as well as the compassion (karuna) with which such actions must be applied. The bell on his left shoulder symbolizes the female principle of emptiness (shunyata) realized by wisdom (prajna).
Subject
  • Buddha
  • lotus
  • thunderbolt
  • bell
  • Vajradhara