Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
Bodhisattva Vajrapani
(India, Nepal, and Tibet)
The bodhisattva Vajrapani, whose name means "Holder of the Vajra," embodies enlightened activity and the power of all Buddhas. The "vajra," a multipronged Buddhist ritual scepter, is associated with the indestructibility and brilliance of the enlightened mind. Here, Vajrapani holds the vajra in his right hand, while holding a bell in his left. Flanking him are two stepped stupas: sacred reliquary mounds that contain the presence of the Buddha. The lions below are also associated with the Buddha, who is sometimes called "lion among men."
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
John and Berthe Ford, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 2002, by gift.
Geographies
Tibet
(Place of Origin)
Himalayas (Place of Origin)
Measurements
6 3/4 in. (17.15 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of John and Berthe Ford, 2002
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
54.3014