Vajrasattva (Yab-Yum) | Menri School · Zidong Style

【Product Information】

Main Deity: Vajrasattva (Yab-Yum)

School: Menri School · Zidong Style

Artist: Dorji Wanggyal | Zidong Thangka Painter

Region: Zidong, Tibet

Size: 4 × 5 cm

Materials: Natural mineral pigments, gold, cinnabar, lapis lazuli, turquoise, etc.

Craftsmanship: Fully hand-painted | Sketching, line drawing, coloring, layered dyeing, and gold line work are all completed by the artist himself.

【Work Introduction】

Vajrasattva is one of the most important purification deities in Vajrayana, symbolizing the purification of karmic obstacles, the restoration of one's inherent pure mind-nature, and the awakening of the source of enlightenment.

This thangka presents the "Yab-Yum form": Vajrasattva embraces his consort Mandarava with both arms, symbolizing:

• The non-duality of great bliss and emptiness (Yuganaddha)

• The harmony of wisdom and skillful means

• The perfect and non-dual original purity

• Possessing all causes and conditions necessary for attaining Buddhahood

【Vajrasattva Yab-Yum vs. Single Form】

Single Vajrasattva (Most Common)

• Mostly used in practices for repentance, eliminating karmic obstacles, and purifying karma

• Holds a vajra and a bell, symbolizing wisdom and skillful means

• The deity's appearance is more solemn and peaceful

Vajrasattva Yab-Yum (Higher Tantras)

• Represents the two fundamental perfections required for Buddhahood: Wisdom × Skillful Means

• The ultimate state of non-duality of bliss and emptiness

• Possesses stronger symbolic meanings of "achievement, realization, and purification"

• A more complete deity form in tantras

【Deity Details】

Vajrasattva resides on a lotus and moon disc, with a pure and gentle facial expression. His left arm embraces the consort, and his right hand holds a vajra, symbolizing the power to subdue demons and indestructible vajra nature; the consort embraces Vajrasattva and holds a vajra bell, symbolizing wisdom, clear emptiness, and discriminative wisdom.

The two deities leaning against each other represent:

• The doctrine of non-duality

• Original purity

• Ultimate perfection and completeness

The entire thangka features stable coloring and a complete structure, making it a typical harmonious composition in the Zidong style.

【Menri × Zidong Style】

• Clear color gradations

• Dense background composition with abundant auspicious patterns

• Gentle facial features and balanced proportions

• Gorgeous yet not cluttered color matching

Famous for its rich color gradations and auspicious patterns, the Zidong style is one of the important styles of modern small thangkas.

【Artist Introduction | Dorji Wanggyal】

Dorji Wanggyal is a Zidong Thangka painter from Tibet, belonging to the same generation as Tsering Norbu. He has been engaged in full-hand painting of thangkas for many years, with steady craftsmanship, clean color gradations, and gentle yet distinctive facial features in his works. With a high degree of stylistic maturity, he is deeply trusted by collectors.