Elements of Buddhist Iconography c8.108

c8.108

A maṇḍala in all respects like that of Fig. 31 is reproduced by Getty, Gods of Northern Buddhism (2nd ed.), Pl. XVI. A corresponding representation of Vairocana (as Ichijikinrin) in Vajra-dhātu form, No. 09.387 in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is reproduced by Anesaki, Buddhist Art (1st ed.), Pl. XIV. Here “the fingers of the right hand clasp the forefinger of the left . . . the gesture symbolises the unity of the cosmic and the individual souls in the final spiritual enlightenment” (ibid., pp. 34, 35¹), whereas in the Garbha-dhātu form the two hands hold the Dharmacakra, implying their distinction on the plane of operation.