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2. Vajracharya Crown
Nepal; Kathmandu Valley
13th -14th c.
gilded copper
w/inset semi-precious stones
12"
30.5 cm
Vajracharya Crown
Detail:Ratnasambhava
Gilded and bejeweled crowns of this type were worn by the Vajracharya priests of Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley. The Vajracharya, or “master of the thunderbolt” are the priests of the Buddhist Newar community of Nepal. The Vajracharya command the highest rank in the Buddhist community, much in the same manner as the Brahmins to the Hindu context.

This example, in similar fashion to the few other surviving examples known, is adorned by repousse medallions depicting the five Jina, or Thathagata, Buddhas: Vairocana, Aksobya, Amoghasiddhi, Ratnasambhava, and Amitabha. These five Jinas represent the five fundamental directions: Aksobya faces east; Ratnasambhave to the south; Amitabha to the west; Amoghasiddhi to the north; while Vairocana occupies the center, establishing a compass between the mortal and immortal dimensions. Various other medallions adorn the crown as well, featuring the sacred Buddhist symbols such as the conch, the flaming jewel, and the Vajra-scepter. A Manjuvajra, a six-armed tantric manifestation of Manjushri - the primordial Bodhisattva of wisdom - perches delicately near the top of the arrangement.

Detail: Manjuvajra
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