Chanda Vajrapani – The “Wrathful Vajra Bearer”
  See it in the Museum
Chapel
Orientation 2
Display 1

ABS 070

 Code: ABS 070

  Country: Tibet

  Style:

  Date: 1200 - 1300

  Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 10.2 x 16.6 x 3.7

  Materials: Brass

Chanda Vajrapani – Wrathful manifestation of bodhisattva Vajrapani

Represented in the heroic posture, this wrathful aspect of bodhisattva Vajrapani – embodiment of enlightened energy – stands on a lotus pedestal. Corpulent, he brandishes a vajra with his right hand, and performs the threatening gesture with his left. With his bulging eyes and flaming hair standing on end, his face expresses wrath, gnawing is lower lip. He is adorned with the attributes of charnel grounds: tiger skin loincloth, bone ornaments, and poisonous snakes.

Bodhisattvas are “heroes for 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.