The Buddhist deity Guhyasamaja (Sandui)
The Buddhist deity Guhyasamaja (Sandui), Ming dynasty (1368–1644), approx. 1400–1600. China | Beijing. Gilded bronze. The Avery Brundage Collection, B64B23. During the reigns of the Yongle and Xuande emperors of China, many magnificent bronze images were cast by Chinese court artisans as presents to the high monks of Tibet as well as for the emperors' own worship. During the reigns of the Yongle and Xuande emperors of China, many magnificent bronze images were cast by Chinese court artisans as presents to the high monks of Tibet as well as for the emperors' own worship. This example shows the six-armed, three-faced goddess Sparshavajra being embraced by Guhyasamaja, who also has six arms and three faces. The three faces are white, red, and blue, standing for the perfection of the physical, verbal and mental aspects of enlightened beings. Guhyasamaja, whose name means "union of all secrets," embodies all the sacred aspects of enlightened beings. He and Sparshavajra each with their six hands once held all of the special symbolic implements of the Five Cosmic Buddhas: the vajra (thunderbolt) of Akshobhya, the bell (vajra, or thunderbolt) of Vajradhara, the wheel of Vairochana, the jewels of Ratnasambhava, the lotus of Amitahba, and the sword of Amoghasiddhi.
The Buddhist deity Guhyasamaja (Sandui), Ming dynasty (1368–1644), approx. 1400–1600. China | Beijing. Gilded bronze. The Avery Brundage Collection, B64B23.
During the reigns of the Yongle and Xuande emperors of China, many magnificent bronze images were cast by Chinese court artisans as presents to the high monks of Tibet as well as for the emperors' own worship. During the reigns of the Yongle and Xuande emperors of China, many magnificent bronze images were cast by Chinese court artisans as presents to the high monks of Tibet as well as for the emperors' own worship. This example shows the six-armed, three-faced goddess Sparshavajra being embraced by Guhyasamaja, who also has six arms and three faces. The three faces are white, red, and blue, standing for the perfection of the physical, verbal and mental aspects of enlightened beings. Guhyasamaja, whose name means "union of all secrets," embodies all the sacred aspects of enlightened beings. He and Sparshavajra each with their six hands once held all of the special symbolic implements of the Five Cosmic Buddhas: the vajra (thunderbolt) of Akshobhya, the bell (vajra, or thunderbolt) of Vajradhara, the wheel of Vairochana, the jewels of Ratnasambhava, the lotus of Amitahba, and the sword of Amoghasiddhi.