Browse Items (11 total)

Nandi is the name of the gate-guardian deity, Kailasa. Nandi is the abode of Lord Shiva and received his wisdom and divine knowledge from the goddess Parvati. Nandi then went on to be the chief guru of eight disciples. Nandi is usually depicted as a…

Tibetan hand cymbals, known as tingshas are small cymbals attached together with a leather strap to produce a unique high pitched, long-ringing tone. The cymbals are used typically by Tibetan Buddhist practitioners as an instrument for meditation,…

Temple bells are common instruments found in Buddhist temples, most often in temples throughout Japan. The purpose of the bells is to summon monks for prayer or announce periods of time. The bells also help aid in meditation and prayer recitations.…

A Vajra meaning "thunderbolt" or "diamond" in Sanskrit is a ritual object symbolically used by dharma traditions such as Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. The Vajra symbolizes properties of a diamond (indestructibility) and of a thunderbolt…

Bahubali, also known as Gommateshwara is a revered figure among Jains. Bahubali was the son of Rishabhanatha, who was the first Tirthankara or spiritual teacher of Jainism. According to Jain text, Bahubali meditated for one whole year in a standing…

The Khanda or the symbol of the Sikh faith is an image that displays a double-edged sword (khanda) in the center, a Chakkar and two single-edged swords on either side of the khanda and Chakkar. The symbol took on this current form around the first…

Karatalas or hand cymbals are a pair of crash cymbals that produce a high pitched percussion sound. Karatalas, in religious contexts, accompany Hindus when performing devotional music. Hare Krishna Hindus commonly use Karatalas because of Krishna's…

Nataraja is a depiction of the Hindu god, Shiva as a cosmic ecstatic dancer. Hindus see Shiva Nataraja as the supreme lord of dance as Shiva performs his dance called the Tandavam or Nadanta. The Tandava is described as a vigorous dance that fuels…

The cross is one of the most identifiable symbols in Christianity. The Christian cross is in reference to the crucifix, an instrument of execution that Jesus of Nazareth was hung from. The cross was not an icon of Christianity until approximately…

A Buddhist prayer wheel, most prevalent in the Tibetan Buddhism, is a mechanical device that is used as an equivalent to a recitation of a mantra. They can be made out of metal, wood, leather, stone or coarse cotton. Each turn of the wheel by hand…