China
15th century
China
15th century
Tibetan Buddhism played a prominent role in the courts of the Mongolian Yuan (1279–1638) and early Chinese Ming (1368–1644) dynasties, resulting in the creation of Tibetan Buddhist art in the imperial ateliers. Here a Tibetan composition depicting a wrathful form of the deity Vajrapani deity has been re-created in the Chinese medium of silk embroidery. Fourteenth-century Tibetan lotus and vase columns featuring eagles (garuda), snakes (naga), and seamonsters (makara) are combined with Chinese-style clouds holding disks that present Vajrapani’s mantra, “om vajrapani hum,” in Tibetan script. Small coral beads and seed pearls are stitched into the central deity’s ornaments.
A vajra is a ritual scepter used in tantric practices and an attribute of tantric masters and deities. It generally symbolizes method, the male aspect of enlightenment.
A religious movement that originated in India around the fifth to seventh century with sacred writings and esoteric teachings and practices transmitted from teacher to student through initiation. These remain an important part of Hinduism and Buddhism today.
A kind of energy that can be used, individually and collectively, to effect change.
Protectors of Buddhist teachings who destroy obstacles that impede the path to enlightenment. The more frightening and gruesome their appearance, the greater their power.
Although Tibetan Buddhism was not practiced broadly in China, the imperial centers, such as Beijing and Mount Wutai, emerged as hubs of Tibetan Buddhist cultural production. The emperors of the Mongol Yuan (1271–1368), Chinese Ming (1368–1644), and Manchu Qing (1644–1911) dynasties harnessed Tibetan Buddhist ideas to consolidate their power.
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