THE ADHIBUDDHA AKSHOBYA IN THE FORM OF THE BODHISATTVA VAJRASATTVA Ladakh, late 18th ct. 84,5 x 67 cm The Adibuddha Akshobhya, one of the Five Dhyani Buddhas, of blue body colour, presents himself in this worship thangka as Bodhisattva Vajrasttva. In addition to his attribute, the vajra (diamond sceptre) in his right "method hand", Akshobhya holds the bell in his left. As Bodhisattva Vajrasattva, he wears, in the samboghakaya form, the crown and the sixfold jewellery. Vajra and bell symbolise the highest principle in Tantrism, the abolition of all dualities. The realisation of this goal means liberation from the cycle of rebirths. Vajrasattva's iconographic colour is white. In this emanation he appears 108 times on this thangka. 108 is a sacred number, for example, the collected teachings of the Buddha are compiled in 108 volumes (Kanjur). There are also 108 emanations of Avalokiteshvara, and the prayer chains (mala) also consist of 108 beads. The sequence of the icons of Vajrasattva means a 108-fold multiplication. Tempera and gold on cotton fabric. Formerly in an old German private collection, acquired in the 1980s Traces s of age, wear, not mounted