The Bodhisattva Vajrapani with his Acolyte Vajra Anuchara

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The Bodhisattva Vajrapani with his Acolyte Vajra Anuchara

Nepal, circa 7th century
Sculpture
Unalloyed copper with traces of gilding
5 3/8 x 2 1/2 x 1 1/4 in. (13.65 x 6.35 x 3.17 cm)
From the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Museum Associates Purchase (M.75.4.14)
South and Southeast Asian Art
Not currently on public view

Curator Notes

This elegant sculpture portrays the Bodhisattva Vajrapani (Vajra-Holder), the manifestation of the supreme power of the enlightened heart-mind....
This elegant sculpture portrays the Bodhisattva Vajrapani (Vajra-Holder), the manifestation of the supreme power of the enlightened heart-mind. As the embodiment of transcendent wisdom, Vajrapani is the enforcer of conversion to the Buddhist path. Vajrapani is nimbate and wears a miter. In his outstretched right hand, he offers a jewel (ratna) symbolic of the Three Jewels of the Buddha’s teaching. His left hand rests on the thunderbolt (vajra) emerging from the head of his principal attendant, Vajra Anuchara (Adamantine Attendant), who represents his personified thunderbolt (Vajra Purusha). It is Vajra Anuchara, not Vajrapani, who actually carries out the act of coercing disbelievers to convert to Buddhism. Standing resolutely in his characteristic cross-armed position (vinaya hasta), Vajra Anuchara's compact powerful figure appears self-confident and ready to fulfill his assignments from Vajrapani. See also M.74.105.2.  
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Bibliography

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  • Kramrisch, Stella. The Art of Nepal. New York: The Asia House Inc., 1964.
  • Rosenfield, John.  The Arts of India and Nepal: The Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection.  Boston:  Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1966.
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  • Huntington, John C. and Dina Bangdel.  The Circle of Bliss:  Buddhist Meditational Art.  Columbus:  The Columbus Museum of Art; Chicago:  Serindia Publications, 2003.
  • Xingyun, editor. Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts. Los Angeles: Buddha's Light Publications USA, 2018.
  • Peyton, Allysa B. and Katherine Anne Paul. Arts of South Asia: Cultures of Collecting. Gainesville: University of Florida Press, 2019.
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