(; ) is a Tibetan term that means "mirror", "looking glass". The is a symbol, divine attribute, and quality of the enlightened mindstream or . Meaning and significance The mirror is an ancient symbol throughout Indian religions. In Indian iconography it may be understood as a symbol for clarity, wholesome or complete perception, and 'primordial purity' () of the mindstream or consciousness. The mirror is often depicted as an accoutrement of the hagiographical signification of fully realised , , and . The mirror may be understood as a quality of the mindstream that denotes perceiving experience as it is without obscuration formed by , etc. Tantric Buddhism The mirror may be engaged in the advanced Tantric of the . As the mirror, so the mind. The mirror as the mind, following Yogacara, reflects quality and form, though it is not directly altered and is 'beyond all attributes and qualities' (). In an essay accompanying the curatorial notes of an exhibition for the xylograph on silk entitled Offerings to Mahakala, which depicts an 'array of ritual offerings' to the Mahakala, Sawyer notes the importance of 'mirror' iconography to the : The mirror motif is pervasive throughout Buddhist literature and is important to traditions of Dzogchen. A number of texts use the mirror motif in their title, such as The Mirror of the Heart of Vajrasattva () which is one of the Seventeen Tantras of the Upadesha. Akshobhya The mirror is part of the iconography of Akshobhya, one of the Five Tathagatas, who is the embodiment of 'mirror knowledge' (; refer ). See also (Tibetan) mirror armour Thangka Toli Notes References Bibliography (Print) (Online) External links - newspaper of the International Dzogchen Community established by Namkhai Norbu Dzogchen Mirrors Tibetan Buddhism Tibetan words and phrases