Tibet
late 19th century
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.
Tibet
late 19th century
Red background paintings such as this are commonly associated with Buddha Amitabha and his lotus family of deities, which includes the legendary, lotus-born teacher Padmasambhava. Here most of the drawing is done in gold, with only the eyes outlined in black and painted, subtly emphasizing the faces of the figures. Padmasambhava and his entourage are placed in a paradisiacal landscape with plenty of water and mountains in the background and five figures in the upper area seated on clouds. The painting’s lotus petals and clouds are shaded in different ways, stressing the more ephemeral nature of the latter.The central Padmasambhava has a piercing gaze and holds his common attributes: a vajra in his right hand, a skull cup with a long-life vase in his left hand, and a mendicant’s staff against his shoulder. He is flanked by the four-armed Avalokiteshvara and Dechen Gyalmo, a form of Vajrayogini. At the top of the painting the primordial Buddha Samantabhadra is flanked by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820–1892), King Tri Songdetsen (742–796), and, slightly lower, Longchen Rabjampa (1308–1364) and Jikme Lingpa (1730?–1798). At the bottom the wrathful female protector Ekajati, with one face, one eye, and one breast, is flanked by Dorje Lekpa and Rahula with nine heads and four hands. The top figures identify Jikme Lingpa’s revealed treasure teaching (terma) Longchen Nyingtik as the doctrinal basis for this painting.
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.
An attribute of tantric deities, this staff represents the union of the two aspects of enlightenment. When held by a male deity it symbolizes his female consort as wisdom, and when held by a female deity it represents her male consort as method.
The passing down of authentic Buddhist teachings from a teacher to a disciple or student, often in the form of a text in a ritualistic context.
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.
A virtuous feeling and deep respect toward an authentic teaching, teacher, or path. Buddhists believe that expansive study, analysis, and meditation are essential steps for cultivating a healthy and enduring devotion.
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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