Hevajra and Nairatmya in Sexual Embrace, Nepal, Kathmandu, c.1600 C.E.
gilt bronze with pigments,
H: 50 cm, W: 33 cm
James W. and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection

In Tantric or Esoteric Buddhist theologies the concept of bodhichitta, or the mental state of enlightenment is expressed by a sexual metaphor.  The male partner of this embracing couple symbolises method or upåya, generally considered to be compassion, and the female partner represents Wisdom.  Only by combining the two can Enlightenment be acheived.  It should be noted, however, that such images were used by adepts in sacred rites and were not meant to be revealed to the non-initiated.

An entire school of the Tantric Buddhist theology developed around the deity Hevajra, who along with his prajña Nairatmya (literally no-soul), is the subject of this intricate and lively composition. As is usual in such forms, the male has multiple limbs while the female has human attributes.  Hevajra is here shown holding a wide variety of creatures on his many arms, which clearly announce both his cosmic and cosmogonic natures.  Like the Hindu god Siva, Hevajra also dances a cosmic dance but here he is joined by his consort.  Dance here signifies “innate joy”, which is the nature of Enlightenment.  In addition to Nepal and Tibet, the cult of Hevajra was extremely popular in the Khmer realm during the 12th-13th centuries.  The Khmers also preferred the dancing form, but rarely represented Hevajra in sexual embrace.

(R. Gosh, in the Footsteps of Buddha, pp. 233-34.)