Shalu Monastery: Kalacakra

CHINA, Tibet, Shigatse

Kalacakra is the embodiment of an important Vajrayana practice. Kalacakra means “the wheel (or cycle) of time.” There are a variety of images of the deity, the one illustrated is the four-headed, twelve-armed version of Kalacakra embracing his consort.
The rich jewelry the figures wear is inlaid with semi-precious stones. Each of the four faces has a third wisdom eye and the arms hold a variety of Dharma instruments. The arms that embrace the consort are crossed as they hold the ritual vajra and a bell, symbolizing the uniting of compassion and wisdom, which is represented by the embrace itself. The wisdom consort embraces the deity with hands that hold a hatchet and a skull-cap bowl. Buoyant stoles sway to the rhythm of their dance as they trample demons underfoot on the double lotus pedestal.