Ancient Museum Store

This sculpture shows vajradhara in his tantric aspect in embrace with his consort, Shakti, in a position of sexual union known as Yab-Yum (literally Father-Mother) in Tibetan and Maithuna in Sanscrit. Vajradhara represents the original, primordial Buddha, the one absolute power which creates itself, with no beginning and no end. This depiction represents a fundamental concept of Buddhism, the union of the male representing compassion with the female representing wisdom, this marriage leading to enlightenment. Vajradhara is seated in a meditation pose wearing a crown on his head.