Antique, 20 cm tall. Samaya Gokorei is a Japanese esoteric Buddhist ritual bell with a five-pronged vajra handle (a vajra is a symbolic object representing the indestructible power of a diamond and the forceful action of a thunderbol). Samaya refers to the vows or precepts given during an initiation ceremony. The bell symbolizes wisdom. In the ceremony, a priest places five bronze bells on the main altar table. Together they represent five manifestations of the Buddha that each represent a distinct form of wisdom, the so-called Five Wisdoms of the Five Cosmic Buddhas. At the centre is a bell with a stupa-shaped handle representing Dainichi Nyorai, the Supreme Buddha of the Cosmos and possessor of complete wisdom. The remaining four bells, including this one, are placed at the corners of the altar to represent Fukujou (active, unrestrained wisdom), Fudo Myoo (mirror wisdom), Hosho Nyorai (equality wisdom), and Amida Nyorai (observational wisdom).