BUDDHIST TANTRIC RITUAL CARPET, TIBET, CIRCA 1880/1900 CM 160X76 Good condition. BUDDHIST TANTRIC RITUAL CARPET, TIBET, CIRCA 1880/1900, GOOD CONDITION. Tantric Buddhism or Vajrayana relies heavily on the use of rituals, symbolism and metaphors. The use of frightening images in Tibetan Buddhism is intended to remove obstacles on the path to enlightenment through sacrificial power. Here the human skeleton is surrounded by a perimeter row of skulls and alternating severed human heads symbolising the crossed Dorje or Vishvajra interpreted as the wheel of good law. Composed of a small central sphere symbolising the Void and two lightning bolts joined in the centre materialising the indestructibility of the essence of all phenomena. The use of reproducing human bones is part of the Buddhist principle of universal impermanence, according to which nothing is eternal. Non-self, one of the truly distinctive features of Buddhist thought and the Buddha's teachings, understanding it is the key to enlightenment.