Vajrasattva is both a highly accomplished bodhisattva and a primordial buddha who is often invoked to purify the errors made during ritual and other religious practices. His name means “vajra being,” and he is the personification of the vajra, the most important ritual implement and symbol of Esoteric Buddhism. The vajra is a symbol of power and indestructability of the enlightened mind. This sculpture depicts the deity holding a bell at his waist and he would have once held a vajra in front of his chest with the tips of the thumb and index finger of his right hand.This is an extremely elegant example of Nepalese sculpture. The figure’s well-proportioned body, with large head and strong limbs that bend as if he is dancing, swaying gracefully at the waist, perfectly combining feelings of movement and stability. Its gracefulness is further enhanced by the figure’s jewelry with its multiple strings of pearls and narrow pointed jewel clusters around the arms and legs, which mirror the spires of his crown. The helmet-like hairstyle with bud-shaped finial and the wide circular earrings with ornate bottom edges are further characteristic of Nepalese sculpture. This example is made up of several pieces that were cast separately and later welded together. The resulting joints were cleverly concealed within the figure’s ornaments, such as his armlets.

Artwork Details

Title
Vajrasattva
Dimensions
17 1/8 × 14 × 10 in.
Medium
Gilt copper alloy of multiple parts with traces of pigments
Origin
Nepal
Classification(s)
sculpture
Date
14th century
Credit Line
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art
Object number
C2005.16.10
HAR Number
65432
Published references
* Sotheby's New York, October 28, 1991, no. 144* Van Alphen, J. Collection Highlights: Rubin Museum of Art. New York: Rubin Museum of Art, 2014. Pp. 166-167* Vajracarya, Gautamavajra. Nepalese Seasons: Rain and Ritual. New York: Rubin Museum of Art, 2016. Cat 22: pp. 25, 79, 81-82.

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Tantrism

Concepts

A religious movement that originated in India around the fifth to seventh century with sacred writings and esoteric teachings and practices transmitted from teacher to student through initiation. These remain an important part of Hinduism and Buddhism today. 

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Divine

Concepts

Buddhist practitioners in some traditions believe that cutting through ordinary perceptions that keep us in the endless cycle of death and rebirth, known as samsara, can create a powerful and enhanced divine identity that leads to enlightenment.

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Bodhisattvas

Figure Type

Beings who aspire to become fully awakened like the Buddha and are dedicated to helping others on the path to enlightenment.

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Nepalese Regions

Region

The Himalayan kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley were significant centers of Buddhist culture. Nepalese kings, Buddhist institutions, and ordinary people patronized the vibrant art guilds. The artistic traditions of the regions are well-known in Tibetan areas and beyond, and Newar artists have always been in high demand throughout Tibetan regions and Inner Asia.

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