Thangka "Vajrayogini Dakini"

This exceptionally beautiful and detailed vintage thangka shows a depiction of Vajrayogini, a dakini (tantric spirit being) who accompanies the spiritual path with encouragement and inspiration. She is flanked by three ahrats.

57 x 38 cm, with brocade 127 x 69-77 cm. Vintage, probably around 20 years old or older.

There is rich symbolism in the depiction of Vajrayogini: The staff represents the means leading to liberation; the cleaver stands for cutting through neurotic tendencies; the skull bowl embodies transcendent wisdom; the hair combed upwards symbolizes passionate anger; the crown of five skulls on her head stands for the five Buddha families and their wisdom; the three eyes represent knowledge of the past, present and future; the necklace with the fresh skulls represents the 51 samskāras, which are purified through non-thinking; her other adornments embody the six perfections (giving, morality, patience, effort, concentration, wisdom); her two arms symbolize the unity of wisdom and means; the corpse on which she stands represents the death of self-centeredness.

A thangka is a traditional representation of Buddhist deities with their attributes, mandalas or the wheel of life. In Buddhist practice, the thangka serves as inspiration and support for meditation, visualization and sadhana practice. The painting is usually framed in a textile frame made of colored Tibetan silk brocade and covered with a fabric cover that respectfully protects it when not in use.