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18c Tibetan bronze VAJRA Buddhist thunderbolt browse these categories for related items... Directory: Antiques:Regional Art:Asian:Indian Subcontinent:Himalayas: Pre 1800: Item # 767272
Dmitry Levit Asian Art 127 Paradise Road Swampscott, MA 01907 781-842-3363 Guest Book $300 |
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| 18th century (could be earlier) Tibetan bronze vajra - the primary symbol and ritual implement in Tantric Buddhism. It symbolizes the essence of esoteric practices and the perfected state of reality. This vajra has 9 prongs on each end - one at the center and four at the cardinal directions symbolizing five cosmic Buddhas, with the four intercardinal prongs symbolizing four consorts of the directional Buddhas. It also symbolizes the nine vehicles or yanas, and all other groups of eight surrounding the central principle, such as the eight charnel grounds, or the Buddha and his Noble Eightfold path. The globe in the middle is considered to be the power center of the implement, on either side of the globe there are stylized lotus petals. Loss of one of the prongs on one side, and a crack to one prong on the other as seen on Enlargements 2 and 6 (must have been caused by the same drop). Superb patina and signs of wear from hundreds of years of handling during religious practice, very pleasantly fits in a palm of a hand. Length 5 3/8 inches. | ||
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