Material: 925 silver. Pendant (Vajra + Vajra Bell, a pair. Not sold separately)

Size: 2 cm

Description:

In Tibetan Buddhism, **Vajra** (Sanskrit: Vajra, Tibetan: Dorje) and **Vajra Bell** (Sanskrit: Ghanta, Tibetan: Drilbu) are important instruments, often used in pairs, especially in Tantric rituals. They have profound symbolic meanings, representing the combination of wisdom and compassion, and are closely related to Buddhist philosophy and practice.

**The meaning and origin of Vajra**

- **Symbolic meaning**:

- **Indestructible wisdom**: Vajra originally means "thunder" or "diamond", symbolizing the indestructible wisdom of the true nature, which can destroy all ignorance and troubles, just like thunder and lightning splitting darkness or diamond cutting everything.

- **Unchanging nature**: Vajra represents the purity and unchanging nature of Buddha, symbolizing the eternity of truth.

- **Five Wisdoms**: The five-pronged vajra (in its most common form) represents the five kinds of wisdom (the five Buddha wisdoms) and the purification of the five aggregates.

- **Unity of Compassion and Wisdom**: When used in pairs with a bell, the vajra represents compassion and symbolizes action and power.

- **Origin**:

- The image of the vajra comes from Indra's thunderbolt weapon in Indian mythology, symbolizing the power to destroy evil. Buddhism absorbed this symbol and transformed it into a spiritual weapon to destroy ignorance.

- In Tibetan Buddhism, the vajra is closely related to Tantric practice and is often seen in the rituals of Vajrayana, representing the practitioner's firm determination to pursue enlightenment.

**The Meaning and Origin of the Ghanta**

- **Symbolic Meaning**:

- **The Sound of Wisdom**: The sound of the bell symbolizes Prajna wisdom, and its crisp sound awakens all beings, dispels ignorance, and guides practitioners into enlightenment.

- **Emptiness**: The brevity and disappearance of the bell sound represent the truth of impermanence and emptiness.

- **Feminine Principle**: The vajra bell is often seen as a symbol of female power, representing the combination of compassion and emptiness, and complementing the masculine power of the vajra.

- **Embodiment of the Five Wisdoms**: The structure of the bell (such as the five prongs or lotus petals) is also related to the five wisdoms or the five Buddhas, symbolizing the perfection of wisdom.

- **Origin**:

- The shape of the vajra bell was influenced by Indian Buddhism and Brahmanism rituals. The bell sound was believed to have the function of purification and awakening in ancient India.

- In Tibetan Buddhism, the design of the vajra bell (such as the vajra on the top, the lotus seat, etc.) is integrated with Tantric symbols and becomes an important ritual instrument used for offerings, purification and blessings in rituals.

**Combination of Vajra and Bell**

- **Complementarity**: Vajra and bell are usually held by practitioners in their left and right hands respectively, symbolizing the unity of compassion (vajra) and wisdom (vajra), which is the core concept of Tibetan Buddhism Tantric practice - the combination of compassion and wisdom can achieve Buddhahood.

- **Ritual Application**: In Tantric rituals, both are used for blessing, purifying space, summoning the deity or removing obstacles. The combination of bell sound and vajra movement symbolizes inner awakening and outer purification.

- **Symbolic balance**: The masculine power of vajra and the feminine wisdom of vajra complement each other, representing the harmony and balance of the universe.

**Summary**

In Tibetan Buddhism, vajra and bell are not only practical instruments, but also profound symbols of practice. They represent compassion and wisdom respectively, and by using them in pairs, they embody the Tantric concept of pursuing the harmony of compassion and wisdom. Its origin is a combination of Indian mythology and Buddhist philosophy. After the development of Tibetan Buddhism, it became the core symbol of Vajrayana practice, reminding practitioners to face ignorance and reincarnation with unswerving wisdom and infinite compassion.