vajra
- Museum number
- As1892,0523.6.29.d
- Description
-
Vajra, dorje, made of brass (standing on tray 6.29.a with bell 6.29.b and 2 vajra 6.29.c, e), part of the Gomadan altar.
- Production date
- 1800-1880
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 1.40 centimetres
-
Length: 11.70 centimetres
-
Weight: 57 grammes
- Curator's comments
- Object is part of the altar arrangement for the Goma fire ritual of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. For full set of objects, see: As1892,0523.6.1-48.
A plaque associated with the objects, reads: 'Japanese Buddhism: Goma-Dan [Gomadan]. The tables and utensils used in the ceremony entitled Goma Wo Taku, or "Burning the Goma". This ceremony, or incantation, which is practised only by the Shingon and Tendai sects, consists in the burning of wood and the recitation of prayers, according to a prescribed ritual, with the object of exorcising the 108 demons of wickedness that lead the heart of man into sin. [B.H. Chamberlain]. This set was obtained in 1891 from a temple of the Shingon sect in Shiba, Tokyo, Japan. Given by A.W. Franks, Esq. 1892.'
For information on the Goma fire ritual, see Richard Karl Payne, 'The Tantric Ritual of Japan - Feeding the Gods: The Shingon Fire Ritual' (International Academy of Indian Culture and Aditaya Prakashan, 1991).
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
Displayed in the Museum's Gallery of Religions, opened 1894 (see review article in The Times, 19th Feb 1894, p. 10).
- Acquisition date
- 1892
- Acquisition notes
- Extract from plaque associated with the altar reads: 'This set was obtained in 1891 from a temple of the Shingon sect in Shiba, Tokyo, Japan. Given by A.W. Franks, Esq. 1892.'
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- As1892,0523.6.29.d
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: 29 (Original list number)
