Vajradhara Buddha in Mongolia
Abstract
Abstract: the article deals with the Vajradhara Buddha iconography and sculptural images. Vajradhara is a symbol of the dharmakaya i.e. the primordial Buddha, the fundamental principle of the whole pantheon of deities of the Vajrayana. Due to the genius and inspirations of Zanabazar (1635–1723), the great artist and the spiritual leader of Mongolia, the Adi-Buddha Vajradhara became the holiest figure in Mongolian Buddhism and also religious symbol of the whole country. The author analyses various sculptural images of Vajradhara both as single deity and as a yab-yum symbol (a representation of the primordial union of wisdom and compassion, depicted as a male deity in union with his female consort) by Ӧndӧr Gegen Zanabazar or related to him. The artefacts are currently being preserved in the Buddhist monasteries, temples and the museums of art as well as in private collections in Mongolia. The latter have not yet received their full description and often remain unrecorded.
About the Author
S.-Kh. D. Syrtypova
Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Surun-Khanda D. Syrtypova, Ph. D (habil.) (Hist.), Leading Research Associate
Russian Federation
Surun-Khanda D. Syrtypova, Ph. D (habil.) (Hist.), Leading Research Associate
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For citation:
Syrtypova S.D. Vajradhara Buddha in Mongolia. Orientalistica. 2019;2(1):62-76. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31696/2618-7043-2019-2-1-62-76
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