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Siem Reap: Vajra Bell
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Siem Reap: Vajra Bell
CAMBODIA, Siem Reap; 12th–13th century; Bronze; H: 12.5 cm; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh
This vajra bell was unearthed at Chi Kraeng, Siem Reap. It is a ritual instrument used in Vajrayana Buddhism.
The waist of the bell is in the shape of an inverted bowl. The handle culminates in five prongs, symbolizing the five Buddha wisdoms: the all-accommodating wisdom of the central Vairocana, the non-dual wisdom of the eastern Aksobhya, the equanimous wisdom of the southern Ratnasambhava, the inquisitive wisdom of the western Amitabha, and lastly, the all-accomplishing wisdom of Amoghasiddhi.
During rituals, monks would hold a vajra in the right hand and a vajra bell in the left. The sound produced by the bell encourages diligence, and serves as an invitation to noble beings. |
