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Tang Dynasty vajra and bell witness the spread of Vajrayana Buddhism
Updated: May 16, 2023
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The vajra and bell are essential ritual instruments in the practice of Vajrayana Buddhism.
Here is a vajra and bell set from the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The vajra is five-pronged. The upper part of the bell is similar to the vajra. Under the lotus pedestal, there is a Buddha’s head connecting a ring that symbolizes the kalasa (vase).
As a relatively large vajra and bell set, they are now in the permanent collection of the Museum of the National Ethnic Culture Palace.
