The Indian scholar Shantarakshita was an important figure in establishing Tibetan Buddhist monastic and scholastic traditions in the eighth century. In this painting, which shows him surrounded by scenes from his life, his spiritual development is illustrated in the first three scenes, beginning just over his left shoulder, including his ordination as a monk, his receiving of the Gradual Path to enlightenment, and his own spiritual training leading to his realization of true knowledge.These episodes are the prologue to the story of Buddhism’s arrival in Tibet, which begins in the bottom-right corner where Shatarakshita is shown traveling to Tibet, laden with bags full of books. As we continue to follow the narrative, at bottom center we see him greeted by King Trisong Detsen (reigned 755–797) upon his arrival in Tibet. Later we see Trisong Detsen receiving teachings from Shantarakshita at Lungtsubchen Palace. At the lower left Shantarakshita performs a consecration ceremony at Samye, Tibet’s first monastery, and ordains the first Tibetan monks. The final vignette, at top left, shows Shantarakshita establishing Buddhist doctrine in Tibet. On the back of the painting an aspirational dedication wishes that the essence of the Gradual Path to enlightenment, which Shantarakshita embodies, is permanently preserved in this painting.

Artwork Details

Title
Indian Master Shantarakshita (active 8th century) and Scenes from his Life
Dimensions
72 x 41 1/2 x 1 7/8 in. (182.9 x 105.4 x 4.8 cm)
Medium
Pigments on cloth
Origin
Tibet
Classification(s)
paintings
Date
19th century
Credit Line
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, From the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Warren Wilds
Object number
C2007.22.1
HAR Number
65798
Published references
* Van Alphen, J. Collection Highlights: Rubin Museum of Art. (New York: Rubin Museum of Art, 2014). Pp. 117, 140-141* Permission for use of digital image by Vaclakova in their publication: One Sun in the Sky, One Ruler on Earth (R&R_Vaclakova_03-20-2017 Attached)

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Storytelling

Concepts

A vehicle for the preservation and transmission of knowledge. The Buddha’s teachings were originally passed down through oral transmission and storytelling, and stories of the Buddha’s past lives are considered an important source of inspiration and guidance.

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Transmission

Concepts

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.

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Lineage

Concepts

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.

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Legendary and Historical Humans

Figure Type

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).

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Tibetan Regions

Region

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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