Vajrapani Bodhisattva

CHINA, Tibet

Vajrapani symbolizes the power to conquer evil. In this thangka, the blue-bodied Bodhisattva stands on two prone figures that rest upon a lotus pedestal. Vajrapani has three wide eyes and wears a crown decorated with five Buddha images. The robust body is covered with detailed ornaments. A long green snake is draped over the left shoulder and around the waist. The raised right hand grasps a vajra and the left hand holds a bell, symbols of compassion and wisdom.
On the right, there is a smaller image of Vajrapani embracing his consort. The rest of the painting is covered with more images of Vajrapani as well as numerous images of Vajrapani and monks. In the upper register, there is a row of garudas. In the top left corner, there is an image of a Buddha forming the bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra with the right hand. The distinctive jewelry worn by the central figure and the prominent use of red shows the adoption of the Nepalese style.