Object name: Vajra / Loans: S1975-1976 #97: Kenneth Versand (May 16, 1976–May 16, 1976) - Hearst Museum Portal Search Results

Start Over Object name Vajra Loans S1975-1976 #97: Kenneth Versand (May 16, 1976–May 16, 1976)

Hearst Museum object titled Vajra, accession number 9-10834, described as vajra, ritual thunderbolt; bronze; each end has spike with 8 curved prongs, at base of which are heads of birds of prey; center handle has “bound lotus” motif; in Lamaism the vajra is used by monks in ceremonies; held in right hand; normally associated with the use of ritual bells; in Brahmanism symbolizes the sky-god Indra; in Buddhism symbolizes the Buddha

Hearst Museum object titled Vajra, accession number 9-10828, described as vajra, stylized ritual thunderbolt; bronze; each end has 5 “points”, 4 of which emerge from mouth of animal; extending from center ball are stylized lotus blossoms; used by monks in religious ceremonies; used concurrently with bell (see 9-10827); held in right hand between thumb and index, with other fingers extended outward; in Brahmanism the vajra symbolizes the thunderbolts of Indra, the Indian counterpart of Zeus and Jupiter; later the Nepalese Buddhists associated the vajra with Buddha.