Central Tibet
early 19th century
Central Tibet
early 19th century
This vibrant scroll painting (thangka), teeming with deities and their jeweled and flaming halos, is dedicated to nine wrathful deities particularly important to the Geluk School of Tibetan Buddhism, with Six-armed Mahakala largest and primary among them. At the top center the founder of this school, Tsongkhapa (1357–1419), is flanked by the important religious hierarchs the Fourth Panchen Lama, Tenpa Nyima (1782–1853), and the Ninth Dalai Lama, Lungtok Gyatso (1805–1815). The Ninth Dalai Lama, who died as an adolescent, is depicted with an unusually large face and eyes, as if to suggest childlike features.The artistry of this baroque work, bursting with activity and complex overlapping layers, is evident in such details as the white whiskers of Brahmanarupa Mahakala, which exhibits superb brushwork. Bhamanarupa is a form of the great Buddhist protector Mahakala as a brahman, here shown blowing a trumpet made from a human leg bone, with a sword slung from his right arm and a rosary of skulls on the left.
Prescribed practices that carry symbolic meaning and value within a specific tradition and are intended to attain a desired outcome. Rituals are usually done as part of a ceremony or regular routine.
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 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.
Protectors of Buddhist teachings who destroy obstacles that impede the path to enlightenment. The more frightening and gruesome their appearance, the greater their power.
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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