Minneapolis Institute of Art

Dorje (Vajra)

Tibet

Date

19th century

Medium

Gilt bronze

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The dorje and drilbu (Sanskrit: vajra and ghaṇta ) are the most important ritual implements of Vajrayana Buddhism. The dorje , or thunderbolt, symbolizes the unbreakable absolute. Paired with the drilbu , or bell, it represents compassion and the “male” aspect; the bell symbolizes supreme knowledge, seen as “female.” Together they represent the necessary ingredients for salvation. A practitioner holds the dorje in the right hand, and the drilbu in the left and enacts a series of elaborate ritual movements. Both wrathful and benevolent deities are depicted holding dorje and drilbu . Tibet, Asia

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