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<p>Made during the Pala period (750-1134) when tantric imagery was first emerging in northeastern India, this sculpture is from a cache that yielded some of the most masterful works of the north Indian bronze tradition. From this region, Tantra spread to Southeast Asia.
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The double-headed thunderbolt, or vajra, placed on top of the pedestal in front of the figure indicates that this is a tantric image. His hand gestures identify him as one of the Five Cosmic Buddhas, each of whom is associated with a cardinal direction of space: north, south, east, west, and center. The Buddha Akshobhya is especially invoked to eradicate the harmful emotion of anger.</div>
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