Tibet
19th century
Tibet
19th century
This fine painting portrays 113 apparitional deities arranged by categories. The innermost circle enshrines the Supreme Heruka together with the Five Transcendental Herukas, all paired with their consorts. The two large concentric circles complete the 58 deities that characterize the wrathful hallucinations of the Bardo Thodrol. The figures outside the circles comprise the canonical 42 peaceful deities complemented by other figures, like those of the Four Gatekeepers, the wrathful figures paired on each side of the central circles. At top center Samantabhadra and his consort preside over the whole assembly of deities, which is closed at the bottom center by the Five Awarenessholders also standing with their consorts.
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.
The end of this life marked by the cessation of bodily functions followed by decay. According to Buddhism, after death consciousness transitions to an intermediate state known as the bardo before embarking on another life.
A contemplative practice in which a person uses concentration and visualization to achieve aims such as transforming the mind and generating feelings of compassion. Techniques include focusing on breathing or visualizing oneself as a deity.
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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