Ask the Scholar
Page 1 of 1
I can add historical knowledge about this page.
Page image
Document source description
The "vajra"—a type of multipronged, double-ended scepter—is one of the most common implements of Tibetan Buddhist ritual, and the worn details of this one attest to its former ritual use. Its Sanskrit name is often translated as "diamond" or "thunderbolt," and it symbolizes indestructibility and clarity: two qualities of the enlightened mind. In ritual, it is usually paired with the bell, and together the two objects symbolize complete enlightenment: The vajra represents compassionate action and intention (understood as the masculine component of enlightenment), while the bell represents wisdom (the feminine component of enlightenment). The vajra is also a symbol of the tantric Buddhist teachings, which are collectively called "Vajrayana," or the "Vajra vehicle" of Buddhist thought and practice.
Page data
- Page
- 1
- Source index
- 0
- Type
- photo
- Media ID
- 588a7146a5340be1
- Size
- unknown
Document data
- ID
- 30939
- Core
- obj
- Type
- object
DTO data
{
"id": "30939",
"sourceUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/54.3104",
"contentType": "object",
"stage": "normalized",
"title": "Vajra",
"description": "The \"vajra\"—a type of multipronged, double-ended scepter—is one of the most common implements of Tibetan Buddhist ritual, and the worn details of this one attest to its former ritual use. Its Sanskrit name is often translated as \"diamond\" or \"thunderbolt,\" and it symbolizes indestructibility and clarity: two qualities of the enlightened mind. In ritual, it is usually paired with the bell, and together the two objects symbolize complete enlightenment: The vajra represents compassionate action and intention (understood as the masculine component of enlightenment), while the bell represents wisdom (the feminine component of enlightenment). The vajra is also a symbol of the tantric Buddhist teachings, which are collectively called \"Vajrayana,\" or the \"Vajra vehicle\" of Buddhist thought and practice.",
"provenance": "Acquired by C. P. Ching, Hong Kong; purchased by John and Berthe Ford, Baltimore, October 31 1976; given to Walters Art Museum, 2016.",
"date": "17th-18th century",
"citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/54.3104",
"rightsUri": "CC0",
"language": "en",
"genreSpecific": [
"vajras",
"ceremonial weapons"
],
"iiifBase": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS1_IL.2004.7.3_Fnt_DD_T16-tms.jpg",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS1_IL.2004.7.3_Fnt_DD_T16-tms.jpg",
"largeImageUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS1_IL.2004.7.3_Fnt_DD_T16-tms.jpg",
"imageCount": 1,
"pageCount": 1,
"source": "import",
"dimensions": [
{
"units": "cm",
"width": 12.5,
"height": 3.2,
"depth": 3
}
],
"dimensionsRaw": "L: 4 15/16 × W: 1 1/4 × D: 1 3/16 in. (12.5 × 3.2 × 3 cm)"
}
Context sent to Scholar
Document identity
{
"localId": "30939",
"label": "Vajra",
"core": "obj",
"dtoType": "object",
"citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/54.3104"
}
Document source metadata
{
"id": "30939",
"sourceUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/54.3104",
"contentType": "object",
"stage": "normalized",
"title": "Vajra",
"description": "The \"vajra\"—a type of multipronged, double-ended scepter—is one of the most common implements of Tibetan Buddhist ritual, and the worn details of this one attest to its former ritual use. Its Sanskrit name is often translated as \"diamond\" or \"thunderbolt,\" and it symbolizes indestructibility and clarity: two qualities of the enlightened mind. In ritual, it is usually paired with the bell, and together the two objects symbolize complete enlightenment: The vajra represents compassionate action and intention (understood as the masculine component of enlightenment), while the bell represents wisdom (the feminine component of enlightenment). The vajra is also a symbol of the tantric Buddhist teachings, which are collectively called \"Vajrayana,\" or the \"Vajra vehicle\" of Buddhist thought and practice.",
"provenance": "Acquired by C. P. Ching, Hong Kong; purchased by John and Berthe Ford, Baltimore, October 31 1976; given to Walters Art Museum, 2016.",
"date": "17th-18th century",
"citationUrl": "https://purl.thewalters.org/art/54.3104",
"rightsUri": "CC0",
"language": "en",
"genreSpecific": [
"vajras",
"ceremonial weapons"
],
"iiifBase": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS1_IL.2004.7.3_Fnt_DD_T16-tms.jpg",
"thumbnailUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS1_IL.2004.7.3_Fnt_DD_T16-tms.jpg",
"largeImageUrl": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/art/PS1_IL.2004.7.3_Fnt_DD_T16-tms.jpg",
"imageCount": 1,
"pageCount": 1,
"source": "import",
"dimensions": [
{
"units": "cm",
"width": 12.5,
"height": 3.2,
"depth": 3
}
],
"dimensionsRaw": "L: 4 15/16 × W: 1 1/4 × D: 1 3/16 in. (12.5 × 3.2 × 3 cm)"
}
Document source extras
{
"RelatedObjects": 2869,
"med": "copper alloy and iron",
"creator_ids": [
"6868"
],
"collection_ids": [
"INT"
],
"exhibition_ids": []
}
Page context
{
"seq": 1,
"pageIndex": 0,
"type": "photo",
"url": "https://art.thewalters.org/images/raw/PS1_IL.2004.7.3_Fnt_DD_T16-tms.jpg",
"mediaId": "588a7146a5340be1"
}