Category: Ritual Objects | Tradition: Vajrayana Buddhism | Origin: Nepal, India, Tibet and the Himalayas
Other names: Vajra: Sanskrit vajra (वज्र), Tibetan dorje (རྡོ་རྗེ་, pronounced DOR-jay) | Bell: Sanskrit ghaṇṭā (घण्टा), Tibetan drilbu (དྲིལ་བུ་, pronounced DRIL-boo)
The vajra and bell are a pair of ritual objects used together in Vajrayana Buddhism. The vajra, called dorje in Tibetan, stands for indestructible strength, compassion and skillful means. The bell, called drilbu in Tibetan and ghanta in Sanskrit, stands for wisdom and emptiness. Held in the right and left hands, they represent the union of the two qualities that Vajrayana practice aims to bring together. They are among the most recognizable objects of Tibetan Buddhist art and ritual, and they appear in the hands of teachers, in sacred paintings and on altars across the Himalayas.
What Is a Vajra and Bell?
A vajra is a small scepter-like object with a central hub or sphere, from which prongs extend in both directions. At each end, the prongs rise from a lotus-petal base and curve inward until they meet at a point. Most vajras used in Tibetan practice have five prongs at each end, although forms with three, nine and other numbers of prongs also exist.
The bell has a rounded body with a flared rim and a small clapper inside. Its handle is topped with half of a vajra, and it is often decorated with lotus petals, vajra motifs and sacred syllables. Many bells also show the face of Prajnaparamita, the personification of the perfection of wisdom, on the handle. Together, the vajra and the bell form a matched pair, and they are most often made, sold and kept as a set.
Where the Vajra and Bell Come From
The vajra comes from ancient India, where the word means both "thunderbolt" and "diamond." In early Indian tradition it was the weapon of the god Indra, a thunderbolt that could cut through anything. Buddhism adopted the symbol and gave it a new meaning: wisdom that is as hard as a diamond and as powerful as lightning, and that nothing can destroy. The name Vajrayana, often translated as the "Diamond Vehicle" or "Thunderbolt Vehicle," comes from this symbol.
Bells have a long history in Indian and Himalayan ritual. In tantric Buddhism the bell was paired with the vajra, and the two became the standard tools of Vajrayana practice. Tibetan Buddhism took them up with the names dorje and drilbu, and they remain central to its rituals and art today.
What the Vajra Symbolizes
The vajra is a symbol of indestructibility. Its diamond-like hardness stands for a mind and a wisdom that cannot be broken by confusion, fear or attachment, and its lightning-like power stands for the ability to cut through ignorance. In the pairing with the bell, the vajra is usually explained as representing compassion and skillful means, the active, helpful side of the path.
• The prongs: the five prongs at each end are often explained as the five wisdoms, or as the transformation of the five poisons of the mind into awakened qualities.
• The central hub: the sphere at the center is commonly explained as emptiness, the source from which everything arises.
• The lotus bases: the lotus petals at each end are commonly seen as a symbol of purity.
Interpretations differ between lineages and teachers, so this is a general overview and not the only explanation.
What the Bell Symbolizes
The bell represents wisdom, in particular the understanding of emptiness. Its hollow body is often explained as a symbol of emptiness, and its sound is a reminder that the teachings can awaken the mind. A ringing bell fades into silence, and this is also taken as a reminder that all things are impermanent. The vajra half on the handle shows that wisdom and method belong together, even in a single object.
Why They Are Used Together
In Vajrayana, method and wisdom are said to be inseparable, and they are often compared to the two wings of a bird: a bird needs both to fly. The vajra stands for method and the bell for wisdom, so holding them together expresses their union. This is why the pair is rarely shown or used apart in ritual, and why they are usually made as a matching set.
How the Vajra and Bell Are Used
In traditional practice, a practitioner holds the vajra in the right hand and the bell in the left. The two objects are used during tantric ceremonies, puja (offering rituals), empowerments and meditation practices, where the bell is rung at certain points in the liturgy and the vajra is held or moved in set gestures. The exact use depends on the lineage and the practice.
On a home altar or shrine, the vajra and bell are treated as sacred objects and placed with respect. Many people keep them as a set on a clean, raised surface, and others display them as a piece of Himalayan sacred art that carries the meaning of wisdom and compassion. If you wish to use them in practice, it is best to learn the correct way from a qualified teacher.
Types of Vajra and Bell
Vajras and bells come in several forms, and knowing the differences helps when choosing a set.
• Vajra and bell set: a matching pair, often with a design that echoes between the two. This is the most common form, and it is how most of our pieces are sold.
• Vajra or bell alone: a single piece for those who already have the other half, or who want just one. Some of our pieces are also available separately.
• By number of prongs: five-pronged vajras are the most common in Tibetan practice, while three-pronged, nine-pronged and other forms are also made.
• Double vajra: a cross-shaped form with four sets of prongs, often used as a symbol of stability.
• Ritual and decorative: ritual sets are made to follow traditional proportions, while decorative sets may emphasize ornament, plating or fine carving.
Materials and Craftsmanship
Traditional vajras and bells are made mainly from metal. Bronze is one of the most traditional and common materials, and brass is widely used for ritual and decorative pieces. Copper is used for both the body and decorative parts, silver for fine, ceremonial or richly ornamented pieces, and white metal, a silvery alloy similar to pewter, for some ritual objects. Gold is usually seen as plating, gilding or detailing rather than as solid metal. Wood is occasionally used for handles or decorative parts, and iron and other metals are less common.
Our vajra and bell sets are generally made from bronze, brass, copper, silver or other metal alloys, with some pieces featuring gold or silver plating and detailed decoration. Each piece is shaped, carved and finished by hand, so no two sets are exactly the same.
Read more: What Is a Vajra and Bell Made Of? | How Is a Vajra and Bell Made?
Care and Placement
Place your vajra and bell on a clean, raised surface such as an altar or shelf, and avoid setting them on the floor. Dust them with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid water and harsh polish, especially on gilded or plated pieces. Keep them away from damp areas and direct heat, which can darken the metal and damage finishes. Metals such as bronze, brass and copper may darken naturally over time, which is normal. Handle them with clean hands and treat them with respect, as you would any sacred object, and do not use them as toys or ordinary tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the vajra and bell mean?
The vajra stands for compassion, skillful means and indestructible strength, and the bell stands for wisdom and emptiness. Together they express the union of method and wisdom at the heart of Vajrayana.
Which hand holds the vajra and which holds the bell?
In traditional practice, the vajra is held in the right hand and the bell in the left.
Can I keep a vajra and bell at home?
Yes. Many people keep a set on a home altar or as meaningful sacred art. It is best placed in a clean, raised and respectful spot.
Is a vajra a weapon?
Its origin is the thunderbolt weapon of the Indian god Indra, but in Buddhism it is a symbol, not a weapon. It stands for wisdom that cannot be destroyed.
What do the prongs of a vajra mean?
Five prongs are often explained as the five wisdoms, or as the transformation of the five poisons into awakened qualities. Other numbers of prongs have their own explanations, and interpretations differ between lineages.
Can I ring the bell?
Many people ring it as part of their practice. If you plan to use the set in ritual, follow the guidance of your teacher.
Explore Our Vajra and Bell Sets
View our handcrafted vajra and bell sets
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