dribu (Prayer Bell)

Om Mani Padme Han, the Jewel in the Lotus, is the six-syllable mantra chanted by Tibetans to end the rebirth cycle in order to enter nirvana, the state of enlightenment. The predominant religion of Tibet is the Tantric, or Vajrayana, form of Buddhism. Tibetan art has a religious function, with a profusion of specialized ritual objects to aid the worshipper. These objects are produced by skilled craftsmen. During the ritual process a lama, or priest, would hold a vajra, or thunderbolt, in one hand and a ghanta, or prayer bell, in the other. He would unite the symbolic qualities the two objects represented by crossing his arms over his chest.

The prayer bell, or ghanta, symbolizes wisdom. The crossing of the vajra and ghanta represented the enlightened mind.

Metal bell with long sculptural handle and cone-shaped ringer attached underneath with metal wire. The metal bell is grey and grey-green in colour, and has three distinct bands of linear and scrolled designs around the perimeter, the centre, and the top of the bell. The handle is gold coloured and has four metal pieces that bend into a round shape at the top.