Artwork Details

Title
Vajrayogini
Dimensions
12 3/8 × 8 3/8 × 4 in.
Medium
Brass and gilt copper alloy
Origin
Tibet
Classification(s)
sculpture
Date
18th century
Credit Line
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art
Object number
C2005.16.47
HAR Number
65470
Published references
* Bazin, Nathalie, 2002. Rituels tibétains: Visions secrètes du Ve Dala ï Lama, [catalogue d'exposition, Musée national des Arts asiatiques-Guimet, 5 november 2002 - 24 février 2003]. Paris: Réunion des Musées Nationaux; pp. 83-84, no. 30

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Gender

Concepts

In Buddhism gender is considered more fluid compared to some other religions. Certain traditions emphasize the importance of all genders in achieving enlightenment. The feminine is considered an embodiment of wisdom and the masculine is an embodiment of method.

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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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Visualization

Concepts

A meditation technique primarily used in tantric practice that involves imagining a deity in one’s mind or imagining oneself becoming a deity and carrying out various activities. Such techniques are intended to help a practitioner transform ordinary perception and achieve enlightened qualities.

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Female Deities

Figure Type

Female bodhisattvas and tantric deities embody specific enlightened qualities such as wisdom, power, and protection, and can be peaceful or wrathful in appearance.

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Tibetan Regions

Region

Today, Tibetans primarily inhabit the Tibetan Plateau, situated between the Himalayan mountain range and the Indian subcontinent to the west, Chinese cultural regions to the east, and Mongolian cultural regions to the northeast. During the 7th to 9th century, Tibetan rulers expanded their empire across Central Asia, and established Buddhism as the state religion.

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