Item: Nairatmya (Buddhist Deity) - (2 hands)

Vajra Nairatmya (Tib.: dor je dag me ma [rdo rje bdag med ma]. English: the Selfless One, or Egoless One): from the Hevajra and Samputa Tantras - both early and important texts of the Vajrayana tradition of Buddhism.

Nairatmya is a meditational deity and partner to Shri Hevajra. There are many different forms and combinations of forms for the two deities, alone, or as a couple in ecstatic embrace. Nairatmya is most popular in the Sakya, Kagyu and Jonang Traditions.

"Vajra Nairatma, [with] a body black in colour, one face and two hands. The right [hand] holds aloft a curved knife and the left a skullcup to the heart, and carrying a katvanga [in the bend of] the elbow. Having three eyes and bared fangs. Yellow hair bristling upwards. A crown of five dry human skulls and a necklace of fifty. Adorned with the five ornaments of bone. Wearing a lower garment of tiger skin. Standing on a corpse seat in a dancing manner with the left leg extended in a half [vajrasana] posture." (Konchog Lhundrub, 1497-1557).

This sculpture is most likely part of a larger set of compositions depicting the Lamdre Lineage of the Sakya Tradition: Vajradhara, Vajra Nairatmya, Virupa, Kanhapa, Damarupa, Avadhutipa, Gayadhara, Drogmi Lotsawa, Seton Kunrig, Shangton Chobar, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (1092-1158), etc.

Alternate Lineage: Vajradhara, Nairatmya, Virupa, Acarya Dombi Heruka, Alala Vajra, Nag Tropa, Garbharipa, Jaya Shrjnana, Acarya Durjayacandra, Bikshu Viravajra, Drogmi Lotsawa, Ngaripa Salwa'i Nyingpo, Khon Gyichuwa Drala Bar, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (1092-1158), etc.

Jeff Watt [updated 8-2018]

Inscription
English Transliteration: ''''''''To Nairatmya and Bhikshu Sonam Yeshe I bow. Created for the benefit of father and mother...''''''''

Thematic Sets
Buddhist Deity: Vajra Nairatmya Main Page
Collection: Bonhams, Sculpture (March, 2015; New York)
Sculpture: Guge Kingdom (Ngari), Tibet
Publication: Tibet, Tradition & Change (Sculpture)