Posted 8 years ago
Airavata
(1 item)
Yamantaka, Vajrabhairava Ekavira (Tibetan: dor je jig je pa wo chig pa. English: The Solitary Hero Vajra Terror) a wrathful meditative form of Manjushri.
From my personal collection, this unique form of Vajrabhairava is exceptionally heavy, crystalline rock like and obviously cast. The red hue seen in the images comes from within, and is the color of the solid material gleaming through the finish in the light. This lovely form appears blackened when not in sunlight.
Of the highest (annutara) tantric yoga, Vajrabhairava Ekavira is primarily of Geluk tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, which is persued only by ascetics greatly advanced in Buddhist study.
I have not found another of this form, as an open vessel with clear imprints of hands working the clay body. Similar solitary Vajrabhairav have been attributed to Nepalese Buddhists, I suspect this beautiful sculpture to be from the Bhutan side of the Himalayan mountain range.
I am hopeful someone has additional information to share about this Buddhist tantric sculpture.
