This is a gilt-bronze sculpture of the Bodhisattva Vajradhara in conventional jewelled bodhisattva outlook. He sits in crossed-legs lotus posture, crossing his hands in front of his chest while holding the roots of two lotus flowers in both hands. The lotus beside his right shoulder has a ghanta bell on the top, while the one beside his left has a vajra sceptre. Wearing a crown of lotus flowers, he has a smoothing smile on his face. This sculpture has an elaborate style. The details of his clothing, particularly his keyura, is highly decorated and exquisitely executed. The cavities’ condition show that it was perhaps once adorned with jewels.

Vajradhara is the primordial buddha, as well as the personification of the dharmakaya - truth body of enlightenment and progenitor of the Vajrayana system of Buddhism. He represents the essence of the historical Buddha’s realization of enlightenment. This also explains the fundament of his iconography – that he is holding the manifestations of the two aspects of dharma in hands. The vajra sceptre symbolises the strength of the dharma, that it is invincible and the mightiest. The bell symbolises the compassion to spread the dharma, that it should be heard by every sentient beings and thus guiding them to Buddhahood. His mantra – om ah Guru Vajradhara hum! – pays obeisance to the one who embodies the highest level of Enlightenment.

A similar sculpture is in the collection of the Museum of San Francisco (Object Number: B60B165).

Danny Ching