ABS 001
Code: ABS 001
Country: Nepal
Style: Transitional Period
Date: 950 - 1050
Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 12.8 x 41.5 x 12.8
Materials: Copper with remains of gilt
Standing Vajrapani – The “Vajra Bearer”
Vajrapani, bodhisattva of enlightened strength, stands in a gracefully balanced bent attitude on a circular stand. His right hand displays the gesture of protection or fearlessness, and his left holds a five-pronged vajra, his distinctive attribute. Young, handsome, and athletic, Vajrapani appears adorned with the garment and jewellery proper to the divine manifestations. Represented under his peaceful aspect (as in ABS 067), the bodhisattva often appears under his fierce manifestation (ABS 152, 070 or 197). One of the three major bodhisattvas of Buddhism, along with compassion bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara and wisdom bodhisattva Mañjushri, Vajrapani is praised for eliminating all evil manifestations.
This statue perfectly illustrates the excellence of Nepalese cast copper statues.
Bodhisattvas are "heroes for the awakening". They are advanced practitioners who are motivated by compassion, and who strive to help all sentient beings to attain liberation on their path to perfect Buddhahood. Their royal adornments symbolise the quality of their spiritual realisation.
Vajrapani, bodhisattva of enlightened strength, stands in a gracefully balanced bent attitude on a circular stand. His right hand displays the gesture of protection or fearlessness, and his left holds a five-pronged vajra, his distinctive attribute. Young, handsome, and athletic, Vajrapani appears adorned with the garment and jewellery proper to the divine manifestations. Represented under his peaceful aspect (as in ABS 067), the bodhisattva often appears under his fierce manifestation (ABS 152, 070 or 197). One of the three major bodhisattvas of Buddhism, along with compassion bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara and wisdom bodhisattva Mañjushri, Vajrapani is praised for eliminating all evil manifestations.
This statue perfectly illustrates the excellence of Nepalese cast copper statues.
Bodhisattvas are "heroes for the awakening". They are advanced practitioners who are motivated by compassion, and who strive to help all sentient beings to attain liberation on their path to perfect Buddhahood. Their royal adornments symbolise the quality of their spiritual realisation.