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- skull surmounting the triple head of a protector, followed by a knot and the head of a makara holding the blade.
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a) Vajra
18th century
wood, I. 15.3 cm
Brian S. McElney Collection
b) Vajra
19th century brass, gilt, I. 15.2 cm
Gift of Miss MacLaren and Mrs. Johnson ROM 934.68
The symbol of enlightenmentandthe most important ritualistic instrument of Vajrayana Buddhism is the thunderbolt sceptre known as vajra (in Sanskrit) and dorje (in Tibetan), which means �diamond� and is hence �indestructible.� In ritual use with the bell, it represents compassion as the means to liberation. The vajra is said to have been originally brought to Tibet by the eighth-century Indian mystic, Padma- sambhava. In India, it was the emblem of Indra, the Indian Jupiter and controller of rains.
63 Bells (ghanta)
late 19th/early 20th century
brass, ht. 17.3 & 18.7 cm
(left) Gift of Miss Eleanor Kunderman
VM DE 682 & 251
In Tibetan Buddhist ceremonies, the bell held in the left hand was used together with the vajra in the right. The bell represents supreme knowledge. The handle is made of a half-vajra supported by the head of the goddess Dharma or Prajna. The bell is decorated at the top with Tibetan syllables within lotus petals followed by eight monster masks connected by festoons with vajra symbols above and below.
64 Ritual Chopper (kartrika) early/mid-20th century iron, brass, gilt, ht. 16.5 cm Asian Art Purchase Fund AGGV
This ritual chopper has a vajra-shaped handle with the blade being held in the mouth of a makara (an Indian mythological creature symbolizing the life- giving power of the waters). Kartrikas, which are carried by many of the fierce Tantric protectors, are said to be able to cut the life roots of enemies and obstacle-creating demons.
65 Prayer Wheels
a) 19th century
copper, brass, wood, I. 26.8 cm Gift of Mrs. H. R. Gale AGGV 58.54
b) 19th century
silver repousse, turquoise, wood, I. 27.2 cm Gift of Mr. Harold Robinson AGGV 71.42
c) late 19th/early 20th century brass, gilt, wood, I. 31.5 cm
Gift of Miss Eleanor Kunderman VM DE 685
These hand-held prayer wheels are hollow cylinders containing a roll of printed prayers. On the cylinder, there is usually a mani prayer in Lhantsa characters, a derivative of ancient Indian Sanskrit. Every clockwise revolution equals a recitation of the prayer. The wheel is propelled by a weight at the end of a chain which is attached to the side of the cylinder. The prayer wheels serve the spiritual needs of the people by warding off the influence of evil spirits and by giving them a soothing reassur�ance that they are in charge of their own destiny. The prayer wheel is a native Tibetan invention and has been in use for at least five or six centuries.
66 Table Prayer Wheel
19th century
embossed and engraved copper, ht. 25.4 cm VM DE 212
This type of prayer wheel serves the same purposes as the hand-held ones. The worshipper turns the prayer wheel inside the pavilion by spinning the finial on the roof. This pavilion, with bells hanging from the roof, is reminiscent of Chinese architecture. Therefore, it may have been made in China for the Tibetan market.
67 Mani Stones 20th century shale
AGGV and Private Collection
Mani stones, incised or painted, were made in great numbers and left as offerings in piles at temples, sacred places and along the roadside. It was believed that the prayer would continue to be potent even after the devotee had left. The incised six- syllable mantra (prayer) inscription � Om mani padme hum � in Lhantsa script, can roughly be translated as �Om, the Jewel in the Lotus, Hum.� Mani (jewel) may symbolize the popular deity� Avalokitesvara or possibly the doctrine of Buddha in general. Padme (in the lotus) represents divine purity. It is believed the constant repetition of this prayer will provide entrance into Nirvana.
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