Tibet or Nepal
Dated 1898
Tibet or Nepal
Dated 1898
Map-like architectural images made for Buddhists, like this painting of Drepung Monastery, favored the use of a high viewpoint. This allowed viewers to look down onto the main buildings of the massive monastic town, which was once residence to as many as eight thousand monks. It is easy to imagine yourself walking through this sacred complex, which is perched amid rolling hills, flowers, animals, stylized rocks, and cloud-topped mountains. Pilgrims travel across the hills and along the monastery’s paths to courtyards where monks engage in philosophical debates. These elements immerse viewers in the social life of Drepung.
Teachings and precepts that offer practical and experiential guidance. In Buddhism instruction is primarily an oral tradition and is often targeted to the specific needs or disposition of a student or disciple.
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.
The Himalayan kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley were significant centers of Buddhist culture. Nepalese kings, Buddhist institutions, and ordinary people patronized the vibrant art guilds. The artistic traditions of the regions are well-known in Tibetan areas and beyond, and Newar artists have always been in high demand throughout Tibetan regions and Inner Asia.
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