Vairocana Buddha

CHINA

Vairocana is the chief of the Vajrayana Dhyani Buddhas, and is identified with the Diamond Realm by the use of the bodhyangi (wisdom fist) mudra. The figure has large eyes and a broad nose, both characteristics of the Kashmiri style. The tall trefoil crown is commonly seen in other statues from Swat. The long hair, secured with ribbons, extends to the shoulders in the style of an ascetic but is often seen on statues of Bodhisattvas from northwest India and Tibet. Eight lions, four at the front, two at the back and one each on either side support the Buddha. This type of throne was also found in northwest India. The slightly primitive sculpture was most likely an earlier work from western Tibet.