Tibet
14th century
This is the gesture of the Buddha calling the earth to witness his awakening.
Tibet
14th century
Portraits of Tibetan teachers from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries can be distinguished from later works of this genre through the depiction of the figure’s outer garment. This cape invariably covers both shoulders and envelops the teacher’s body while allowing the arms and feet to remain visible. Such capes are used for lay religious masters, such as this teacher, and monks alike. These capes bulge around the legs and leave a gap underneath the figure’s crossed legs. In later works they tend to fall more flatly with the ends touching each other in front of the feet.This teacher, with a distinctive hairstyle and seated meditation posture, extends his right hand in the gesture of touching the earth while his other hand rests on his lap. He wears the dress of a layman, a coat with wide sleeves held by a broad belt and a cape covering both shoulders. This figure has been identified as a teacher of Bon, the alternative religion of Tibet, possibly due to the unusual combination of his hand gestures and the wheel and lions on his throne.
This is the gesture of the Buddha calling the earth to witness his awakening.
Also known as vajra position, this posture is associated with meditation.
In Buddhism merit is accumulated through engaging in positive actions that lead to positive results, such as better rebirths. Buddhists gain merit by making offerings, donating to those in need, reciting mantras, and other good deeds.
The transmission of teachings from one generation to the next, from teacher to student, traced all the way back to the Buddha without interruption. A complete lineage is essential in Tantric Buddhist practices as it makes the blessings of the teaching more powerful.
Himalayan art includes portraits of legendary and historical humans, including accomplished religious teachers (lamas), the Buddha’s original disciples (arhats), and spiritually accomplished tantric masters (mahasiddhas).
Today, Tibetans primarily inhabit the Tibetan Plateau, situated between the Himalayan mountain range and the Indian subcontinent to the west, Chinese cultural regions to the east, and Mongolian cultural regions to the northeast. During the 7th to 9th century, Tibetan rulers expanded their empire across Central Asia, and established Buddhism as the state religion.
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