2-999-316 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Vajradhara with Mahasiddhas, c1400. Vajradhara, the primordial Buddha, is considered to be the original teacher of the tantric Buddhist (Vajrayana) teachings. Blue in colour, he holds a vajra (a ritual scepter identified as masculine, and symbolizing compassionate action) and a bell (identified as feminine, and symbolizing wisdom). Crossing his hands, he expresses the union of these qualities in the state of enlightenment.