Symbolika śmierci w sztuce i rytuałach buddyzmu
The symbolism of death in the arts and rituals of Tibetan Buddhism

Summary/Abstract: The Tibetans since childhood are familiar with different expressions of the death and its symbolism in sacred art, rituals and daily life. Many attributes and jewelry of the meditative gods, wrathful protectors, dakinis as well as tantric yogis are made of bones and sculls, which have a wide range of meanings. Some mandalas are protected by symbolic eight cemeteries. Several rituals (i.e. ‘cham) also show the meaning of death: presenting the victory and justice of the Lord of Death and his acolytes, offering the human body on the sky burials (dur khrod) or offering tantric practitioner’s flesh and blood to the hungry ghosts and spirits (gcod ritual). Multi -leveled, complicated symbolic meanings of the death and funeral symbolism are important for Vajrayāna teachings. They remind of the necessity of daily practice until death, which comes as the next bardo stage.

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