Statue of the Bust of Vajradhara
- Central Asia
- from the 2nd to the 4th centuries AD
- The Kushan Dynasty
- 39.0cm in height
Shukongois the Chinese translation of Vajrapani in Sanskrit. In Buddhism, although the Buddha is the supreme being worthy of Vajra, it is Vajrapani who bears it instead of Buddha. It is the same as a Shogun having a sword bearer. Later on, Vajrapani becomes independent as a protector of Buddhism. Like the Greek hero Heracules, it wears a lion skin head.