ABR 039
Code: ABR 039
Country: Tibet
Style:
Date: 1200 - 1300
Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 3.6 x 15.5
Materials: Iron
Three-pronged vajra
The vajra, or dorje in Tibetan, is the most common ritual object in tantric Buddhism, giving its name to Vajrayana Buddhism. Originally designating the thunderbolt, attribute of god Indra, in Buddhism it is the diamond—transparent, luminous and indestructible—like the nature of awakened mind. In its most common form, two sets of five prongs spread out on either side, representing the five mental poisons transformed into the five wisdoms. They spring out from a makara mouth, symbolizing absolute firmness, which in turn rests on sixteen lotus petals representing the sixteen modes of emptiness. The central sphere represents the dharmadhatu, the dimension of ultimate reality where samsara and nirvana are undifferentiated. Some models have one, three, seven, or nine prongs, each with a specific symbolism. Considered a male symbol of "skillful means" allowing to help all beings to progress towards Buddhahood, practitioners always hold it in their right hand, and it is associated with the bell, female symbol of vacuity and wisdom.
The iron vajra presented here has three points, an unusual form in Tibet more frequently encountered in Japanese Buddhism. Marked with small skulls, it was certainly used during wrathful rituals.
The vajra, or dorje in Tibetan, is the most common ritual object in tantric Buddhism, giving its name to Vajrayana Buddhism. Originally designating the thunderbolt, attribute of god Indra, in Buddhism it is the diamond—transparent, luminous and indestructible—like the nature of awakened mind. In its most common form, two sets of five prongs spread out on either side, representing the five mental poisons transformed into the five wisdoms. They spring out from a makara mouth, symbolizing absolute firmness, which in turn rests on sixteen lotus petals representing the sixteen modes of emptiness. The central sphere represents the dharmadhatu, the dimension of ultimate reality where samsara and nirvana are undifferentiated. Some models have one, three, seven, or nine prongs, each with a specific symbolism. Considered a male symbol of "skillful means" allowing to help all beings to progress towards Buddhahood, practitioners always hold it in their right hand, and it is associated with the bell, female symbol of vacuity and wisdom.
The iron vajra presented here has three points, an unusual form in Tibet more frequently encountered in Japanese Buddhism. Marked with small skulls, it was certainly used during wrathful rituals.