Ritual bell with handle in the shape of the vajra, 18th century, Unknown Japanese, 7 1/8 × 3 1/8 × 3 1/8 in. ( × × cm), Bronze, Japan, 18th century, In Esoteric Buddhist ritual, a priest places five bronze bells on the main altar table. Each bell’s handle is a unique symbolic shape. Together they represent five manifestations of the Buddha that each represents a distinct form of wisdom, the so-called Five Wisdoms of the Five Cosmic Buddhas. The bell placed at the center of the table represents Dainichi Nyorai, the Supreme Buddha of the Cosmos and possessor of complete wisdom.

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Size: 4095px × 5664px
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Photo credit: © Penta Springs / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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