Buddhist ritual conch shell with a dancing Hevajra: nu te zien — Minneapolis Institute of Art

This bronze takes the form of a conch shell, a vessel used in both Buddhist and Hindu rituals. Blown at the beginning of ceremonies, the instrument makes the sound of the sacred syllable “Om, ” believed to purify the mind before meditation. Buddhism and Hinduism were often practiced side by side in the kingdoms of Southeast Asia; however, Hinduism was the official religion of Khmer kings until the conversion to Buddhism of Jayavarman VII (reign c. 1181–1218), after which Buddhist art flourished. The embellished bronze features a dancing, multiheaded Hevajra, a key deity in Vajrayana Buddhism, a sect that emphasizes ritual as a means to enlightenment.

Buddhist ritual conch shell with a dancing Hevajra

Over de sculptuur

Gegevens

In dezelfde zaal · G213, Minneapolis Institute of Art

Ja, het ontvangt bezoek

In de catalogus

Bronnen

Buddha subduing Mara, late 19th century

Enshrined Buddha, c. 1850

Walking Shakyamuni Buddha, 15th century

Buddha subduing Mara, 15th century

Prajnaparamita, late 12th–early 13th century

Hindu altar bell with Ganesha, 12th century

Deified King, late 10th century

Head from an image of Vishnu or a deified king, early 9th century