USA
2000
USA
2000
This contemporary work follows traditional painting practices. It depicts Mahakala, a wrathful protector of Buddhist teachings with origins in India. Mahakala is a remover of obstacles, both internal and external. He has many forms and is generally depicted as an extremely fierce deity, dark blue or black in color, wielding a flying knife and skull cup, and adorned with wrathful ornaments of a crown of five skulls and a garland of severed heads. In this form, recognizable by his distinctive attribute, a large black cloak, he is known as Black Cloak Mahakala. This form of Mahakala initially arose from the Nyingma tradition of Revealed Treasures (terma) in Tibet and was introduced to the Karma Kagyu tradition in the 13th century. This painting has a special format with a black background (nak thang), which is traditionally reserved for wrathful deities. Instead of the blue and green landscape typical of Tibetan painting, clouds, mountains, and scenes of charnel grounds with vultures and wolves are painted with simple gold outlines.
The artist Pema Namdol Thaye is a painter, sculptor, three-dimensional mandala specialist, traditional Tibetan architect, author, and art educator. An artist of Tibetan-Bhutanese heritage who studied in Kalimpong, India, he trained in the traditional arts of thangka painting. This painting was created in the early years of his career when he was still developing his own style. Distinctive features include elaborate brocade patterns of clouds on the cloak and dragons on the robes, as well as decorative spiral patterns polished into the gold upon which the deity stands.
A skull cup is an attribute of tantric deities and is usually paired with a curved knife. It can symbolize a mind filled with the bliss of realizing the true nature of reality.
This weapon is an attribute of tantric deities and is usually paired with a skull cup. When held by female deities it symbolizes wisdom’s destruction of all obstacles to enlightenment. When held by male deities it represents the method aspect of enlightenment.
An energy wielded with intention, skill, and compassion to offer protection and remove obstacles. In Buddhism, it is considered different than negative emotions like anger or rage.
The idea that everything is temporary, constantly changing, and moving through stages of development, decay, and dissolution. Impermanence is a reminder to avoid strong attachments and focus on the present moment.
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.
In Buddhism time is perceived as relative, dynamic, and conceptual. This outlook highlights important principles of interdependence within Buddhist philosophy.
A kind of energy that can be used, individually and collectively, to effect change.
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.
Buddhism is fundamentally about transformation, as changing one’s attitude and conduct are required to end suffering and attain enlightenment.
A meditation technique primarily used in tantric practice that involves imagining a deity in one’s mind or imagining oneself becoming a deity and carrying out various activities. Such techniques are intended to help a practitioner transform ordinary perception and achieve enlightened qualities.
Tantric deities personify various enlightened qualities and are the focus of esoteric religious practices (tantras) that aim to swiftly and radically transform one’s understanding of reality.
Protectors of Buddhist teachings who destroy obstacles that impede the path to enlightenment. The more frightening and gruesome their appearance, the greater their power.
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