Vajra (Dorje), 19th to 20th Century
Tibet Autonomous Region
Brass; 5 1/2 × 1 1/2 × 1 1/2 in.
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Vajra (Dorje)

ClassificationsCeremonial or Ritual Objects

Date19th to 20th Century

Made AtTibet Autonomous Region, China, Asia

MediumBrass

Dimensions5 1/2 × 1 1/2 × 1 1/2 in. (14 × 3.8 × 3.8 cm)

Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih

Object number2021.8.15

DescriptionThis is a Tibetan vajra, or dorje in Tibetan vernacular. Rituals and ritual objects are quintessential to Tibetan Buddhism. Ceremonies are performed both within and outside of monasteries. Many of them are conducted daily whiles others might situationally be used to satiate deities, assist with crop yields, bring rain, or fend off natural disasters. No matter the rite, some tool is required to aid in its success. The vajra is found across Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Though its Sanskrit name translates to "thunderbolt", its Tibetan name translates to "diamond" and speaks to its indestructible nature. The vajra appears to have been based on a club form and having evolved out of its utilitarian purpose adopted symbolic meanings that appear in the tantric path in Buddhism, itself called Vajrayana after the vajra. These objects can have varying numbers of prongs: 1, 3, 5, and 9 as this one has. The 9-pronged vajra is most commonly used by the Nyingma Tradition of Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhism.

The vajra is almost always used in tandem with a prayer bell, and the two often also exhibit similar decorative elements. During prayer, the vajra, representing faith, would be held in the right hand and the bell, representing wisdom, would be held in the left. It is believed that the combination of faith and wisdom together leads the person engaged in prayer towards the path of enlightenment.

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