Bodhisattva Vajrapani personifies Buddhism’s great power. That energy is apparent in the tool he holds in his right hand by which he activates the Buddhist teachings. Vajrapani is, literally, the Holder of the Vajra, the thunderbolt scepter that is the symbol of tantric Buddhism’s lightning-fast, powerful techniques for attaining enlightenment.

Artwork Details

Title
Bodhisattva Vajrapani
Dimensions
5 1/8 × 2 3/8 × 1 1/8 in.
Medium
Copper alloy with silver inlays
Origin
Swat region
Classification(s)
sculpture
Date
7th century
Credit Line
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, Gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin
Object number
C2013.8.2
Published references
* Pratapaditya Pal, 1978. The Ideal Image: The Gupta SculpturalTradition and Its Influence. [New York]: Asia Society in Association with J. Weatherhill. no. 69.ExhibitedThe Ideal Image, New York, Asia House Gallery; Fort Worth,Kimbell Art Museum; Chicago, The Art Institute of Chicago,1978.

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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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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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Power

Concepts

A kind of energy that can be used, individually and collectively, to effect change.

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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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Kashmir/Western Himalayas

Region

From the 8th to 13th century, Kashmir was a renowned center of Buddhist learning, arts, and culture. This fertile valley was a major source of artistic production for the western Himalayan kingdoms, which spanned parts of northern India and the Ngari region of western Tibet.

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