On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Achala/Manjusri

Figure
13th century-14th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Tibet (made)

In Tibetan Buddhism wrathful protective deities such as this defend the faith from its enemies, but on another level are regarded as allies in the defeat of negative spiritual forces or spiritual obstacles within an individual practitioner.

Object details

Categories
Bronze
Buddhism
Object type
Figure
TitleAchala/Manjusri (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Bronze
Brief description
Achala/Manjusri, bronze, Tibet, 13th-14th century.
Physical description
Bronze figure of Achala or Manjusri.
Dimensions
  • Height: 22.6cm
Gallery label
(14/06/2011)
Achala/Manjusri
1200–1400
This powerful deity is a wrathful form of Manjusri, the
bodhisattva of wisdom. His upraised sword is poised to
cut the knot of ignorance. In Tibetan Buddhism, wrathful
protective deities defend the faith from its enemies. At a
personal level, within an individual practitioner, they help
defeat negative spiritual forces or spiritual obstacles.
Bronze
Tibet
Museum no. IM.55-1929
(2001)
ACALA-VAJRAPANI: Bronze, Tibet, 13th early 14th Century.
This powerful deity is seen as a bodhisattva emanation of Akshobhya, the imperturbable Buddha (depicted as Acala-Vajrapani's flowing headdress).
Credit line
Bequeathed by J.L. Smith, Esq.
Object history
He wields a long sword (Khanda) symbolizing both the pure knowledge (jnana) and its protection and holds a noose (pasa), variously interpreted as a weapon and as an aid to capturing souls. Acala Vajrapani wears the ornaments of royalty, a privilege extended to terrific law guardians, and tramples the prostrate figure of Ganpati (Ganesh).
Subject depicted
Buddhism
Summary
In Tibetan Buddhism wrathful protective deities such as this defend the faith from its enemies, but on another level are regarded as allies in the defeat of negative spiritual forces or spiritual obstacles within an individual practitioner.
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
IM.55-1929

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Record createdAugust 21, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O166187/achalamanjusri-figure-unknown/
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