This exquisitely modeled sculpture depicts the Buddhist deity Vajrasattva. Certain Lamaist sects identify Vajrasattva with Vajradhara who is considered to be the esoteric manifestation of Adi (primordial) Buddha. However, he is generally considered as the sixth Dhyani Buddha and the priest of the five Dhyani Buddhas.
Vajrasattva has been widely represented in India and other Buddhist countries during the period of later Buddhism. A Buddhist text Advayavajra-sanghra contains information pertaining to Vajrasattva. His cult is particularly popular in Mahayanic countries.
In the present form he is shown seated in padmasana on a double lotus throne. He has two hands: right hand holds a five-pronged vajra, while the left hand placed on the thigh is holding a vajra-ghanta (bell). These two priestly symbols emphasise perhaps his position as the priest of the Dhyani Buddhas.
His body is slim and slender. The eyes are half-closed and are looking inwards in meditation. There is a sacred mark between the eyebrows. His neck has three folds and lips are upturned. He is wearing a shoulder mantle, flowing scarf, and a skirt as the lower garment. The borders of the garment are incised with decorative designs. He is bedecked in ornaments which include a finely executed five-pronged crown, necklaces, armlets, bracelets and anklets.
Ref.
Alice Getty, The Gods of Northern Buddhism, Tokyo, Japan, 1962.
P. Pal, Art of the Himalayas: Treasures from Nepal and Tibet, New York.
S. K. Saraswati, Tantrayana Art: An Album, Calcutta, 1977.
This description by Dr. Shailendra Kumar Verma, Ph.D. His doctorate thesis being on the "Emergence and Evolution of the Buddha Image (from its inception to 8th century A.D)."
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