Five-Pronged Vajra
Original Language Title五鈷杵
CultureJapanese
Date14th century
MediumGilt bronze
DimensionsOverall: 5 1/4 × 1 1/8 × 1 1/8 inches (13.34 × 2.86 × 2.86 cm)
Credit LineBequest of Laurence Sickman
Object numberF88-47/6
On View
Not on viewCollections
Gallery LabelA vajra is a Buddhist ritual object derived from an ancient Indian weapon. Vajra means both "thunder bolt" and "diamond" in Sanskrit. It symbolizes the diamond-hard Buddhist wisdom that destroys the delusions interfering with enlightenment.
Before a ritual begins, the officiating monk waves a vajra as an emblem of authority and to empower the ritual objects for use in the service.
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