Five-pronged vajra made of cypress wood. Size: 18cm long, 4cm widest point.
The vajra is a ritual implement, likened to a weapon from Indian mythology, representing the Buddha's teachings that eradicate worldly desires and express bodhicitta (the desire for enlightenment). It is used in esoteric Buddhist rituals in Shingon and Tendai sects, as well as in segaki (ceremonial offerings) in Shingon, Tendai, and Zen sects. Its basic shape is rod-shaped with a central handle (the "onime" or "eye"), which is considered to represent the Vairocana Buddha. Ascetics grasp the bulge as a form of unity with the Buddha. It has spear-like blades on both the top and bottom. There are several variations based on the number and shape of the blades, each with its own name. The five-pronged vajra is said to have been introduced to Japan by seven of the Eight Masters of the Tang Dynasty, excluding Huiyun. Originally a type of weapon (vajra) in India, in esoteric Buddhism it is depicted as the samadhi of various deities. There are various types of five-pronged vajra flags, but they represent the Bodhisattva mind, the five Buddhas and five wisdoms, and the ten paramitas, and are said to destroy ten kinds of earthly desires and attain the ten stages.
They were used to fulfill wishes, improve luck, ward off disasters, and ward off evil. You can carry them with you as a talisman, or keep them indoors.
