|
VAJRAs may have nine, five or three spokes. The spokes of a peaceful
VAJRA meet at the tip whereas those of a wrathful vajra are slightly
splayed at the end. When paired with a bell their length can vary
from four finger-widths to twenty-eight finger widths.
In Buddhism VAJRA indicates the indestructible reality
of buddhahood, which is defined as both imperishable and indivisible.
The emblem symbolic of this indestructible reality is also known
as VAJRA. This is a sceptre-like tantric ritual object which is
held in the right palm when playing a ritual bell. The sceptre symbolizes
skillful means and the bell, discriminative awareness. Holding these
together in the two palms represents the perfect union of discriminative
awareness and method/skillful means.
- A Handbook of Tibetan Culture
Everything with concrete substance is
called 'form', and all forms are the unity of appearance and emptiness:
that is the VAJRA body. All sounds are resounding and yet empty:
that is the VAJRA speech. When we recognize awareness, we realize
that it is free from arising, dwelling and ceasing: this is the
VAJRA mind.
- Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche (Vajra Speech)
|